4th-graders
get interactive history lesson
California native takes students
on 'tour' through state's storied past
CHINO HILLS
Inland Valley Daily Bulletin
November 21, 2002
There are two ways
fourth-graders can learn about California's rich history. The traditional
method involves textbooks, classroom lessons and building a California mission.
But when Kate Rosa came to Eagle Canyon Elementary
School this week, she took students on an interactive trip through time to learn
about the state, its people and its geography.
Rosa's "Walk Through California' presentation
featured skits, costumes, dancing, flashing lights and funny voices. And between
the commotion and laughter, Eagle Canyon's approximately 115 fourth-graders
learned a good deal about the Golden State over a two-day period.
"They get to dress in costumes. ... They get to be
involved," Rosa said. "They're doing while they're learning."
In addition, students drew on memorized information to
answer Rosa's historical and geographic questions as the presenter assumed the
identities of a host of characters to weave together the state's diverse
history.
The presenter enjoys the shows as much as the children.
"I get to take my love of theater and drama and
infuse it with California history and geography," Rosa said.
California Weekly Explorer Inc., founded in 1979, is a
Tustin-based educational company offering social studies programs statewide to
fourth- through sixth-graders. Program topics include California, American, and
ancient world history and geography.
Presenters from the company have performed each year at
Eagle Canyon since the school opened in 1987.
The California-born Rosa lived much of her life in
Arkansas before returning to the Golden State five years ago. Raised a
Southerner, she had to drop her accent and pick up a healthy dose of state
history to effectively present the material to children.
And the 18 children in Wednesday afternoon's
presentation were definitely getting into the material. They cheered on and
laughed with their teammates as they scored points.
Since only half the normal number of students was at
the assembly, they often found themselves performing multiple roles.
Gregory King, for example, defined mountains and
canyons in addition to playing Father Junipero Serra, the founder of the
California missions.
And Amber Morrell described mountains and peninsula and
portrayed Dona Concepcion Arguello, the daughter of a Spanish military leader
who fell in love with Russian explorer Nikolai Petrovich Rezanov in the early
1800s.
Amber's grandmother, Mary Ann Morrell, enjoyed watching
the children participate in the program.
"When it's fun for them, they learn more,"
she said.
Principal Joanie Webster viewed the morning
presentation Wednesday and was impressed with its high quality.
"The kids are so involved in the history of
California because of this program," she said.
Fourth-grade teacher Barbara Smith lauded the creative
half-day program.
"They probably learn more and remember more in
that two and a half hours than they do all year," she said. "It
reviews the whole history and geography of California in a nutshell."