Hello All,
after exploring different links for a while, and with a help from my 10-yr. old, I have chosen the Colonial Williamsburg's website for review http://www.history.org/history/teaching/eft/ We visited Colonial Williamsburg last summer and the experience was quite memorable. I flipped through the pages of my daughter's Social Studies textbook a few months ago when she was learning about the colonial times, and reminded her that we actually visited the home of George Wythe, who was Virginia's first signer of the Declaration of Independence. And then...there was this priceless "Oh yeah, I remember" moment...
I found Colonial Williamsburg's website to be extremely helpful for teachers, kids and their parents. Their EFT (Electronic Field Trip) program offers an impressive library of educational resources, live streaming videos, lesson plans, interactive classroom features, podcasts and links to virtual explorations of the Colonial Williamsburg's mansions, public spaces, gardens and farms. The 2010-2011 EFT season provides interactive lessons on the Bill of Rights, presidential elections, slavery, women of the Revolution and others. The art collections from their museums and live discussions with curators and historians are broadcasted 7 times a year on public TV education stations. Colonial Williamsburg's EFTs are correlated to American history, literacy and science standards. The cost of the program is $500 for the series (Emmy-winning!) or $120 for individual programs. I am a big supporter for infusion of the technology and interactive learning into our kids' classrooms. I am sure that 5th graders would benefit from EFT to Colonial Williamsburg - it will help them visualize the historical events that are quite complex and provide access to fun interactive activities (like "Battle for the Vote" game), which I barely finished, if I may add :-)
Hi Evelina
ReplyDeleteI went to Colonial Williamsburg when I was pregnant with my twin boys. I really loved it although it was July and boy was it hot. I really like the VFT. I can't wait to bring the boys there. I would have to think this site is so helpful if you teach history. The fun you can have with reenactments too. Great Stuff.
Rosanna
Hi Evelina--I was in Colonial Williamsburg over 20 years ago. The EFT brought back memories.
ReplyDeleteEileen
It's fantastic to see a VFT on a place where you have been so you can compare the real visit with the virtual one! I, too, have been to Colonial Williamsburg but your blog review has reminded me that I need to share this link with another teacher who is planning to go there on Spring Break! Good job.
ReplyDeleteEvelina, I visited this site also when I was reviewing the VFT's. I used to teach 5th grade and I wish I knew about this site when I was covering colonial development and lifestyles. I last visited Colonial Williamsburg about 20 years ago and this site brought back some great memories. This would be a fantastic way to develop some true connections to the colonial era with your class.
ReplyDelete