Archive for November, 2009

Monday the George Washington Teaching Ambassador visited Skyview Elementary in Yukon, Oklahoma.  Mrs. Browning’s room was decorated in red, white and blue—perfect for Veteran’s week.  Some of the students received a lesson about President Washington’s teeth.  They decided his false teeth would be very uncomfortable!  The students also “boogied down” while dancing about the Revolution and the General. 

Tuesday started early at Surrey Hills Elementary also in Yukon.  The kindergarten classes joined together to welcome the George Washington Ambassador.  Some of the students had a very “trying” time when they tried to crush walnuts in their hands like Washington used to do.  The youngsters played a matching memory game after learning about Washington’s farm animals.  They loved the Ossabaw Hogs and his dog, Sweet Lips!  The students learned how flax is shredded in preparation for making linen.  They thought it felt like horses’ hair.

Wednesday, Veteran’s day, found the GW Ambassador in the perfect place—right next to Fort Sill!  Two three-hour workshops were held for Lawton teachers.   Both the morning session for secondary educators and the afternoon presentation for the elementary teachers involved in many hands-on activities.  The teachers used duct tape to create symbols of our country for Veterans Day.  I have never seen so many football coaches get so involved in their art designs—You would have thought they were creating new gridiron plays!

Thursday (that is today), I am getting ready head to Tulsa for a “Revolutionary Day” planning meeting.  Eight schools from the northeast quadrant of Oklahoma are having a special day for fifth grade students at the University of Tulsa in February.  Much planning has gone into this event that is celebrating our birth of freedom.

Friday (tomorrow), I am packing because early Saturday morning I am flying up to Mount Vernon!  Yippee!

A hint of things to come:  The 2009 Mount Vernon George Washington Summer Institute attendees from Oklahoma are busy working on lessons they are creating about Washington.  I am so excited about reading all of them.  In December and January the lessons will be presented on this Blog so that other teachers can get ideas for their Washington Birthday Celebrations in February.  Many times this year I have past the mesmerizing wind turbines of western Oklahoma.  I know that George Washington would have loved them too as he really tried to be environmentally friendly.  Two of our teachers are working on a lesson about the “Green of George.”  I can hardly to see this lesson and the others that these wonderful educators have created.

Washington Irving Elementary in Edmond, Oklahoma received their portrait of George Washington.  Cindy Young, their social studies fifth grade teacher and a big fan of the General, helped select the perfect spot for the painting. Inscribed next to Peale’s rendering of the first president are the famous words, “First in War, First in Peace, and First in the Hearts of His Countrymen.”  These words were uttered by Henry Lee in his eulogy to Washington.  I can think of no better words to illuminate the life of George Washington in the hallways of learning.  Thank you Washington Irving Elementary.

Mountains between two towns…in Oklahoma?  Yes!  Recently I traveled to the southwest part of Oklahoma to the towns of Hobart and Mangum.  Delightful people live in both places.  Since I was making presentations on Monday in Hobart and Tuesday in Mangum, I stayed the night in the mountains—Quartz Mountains to be exact!  This area once provided a “safe haven for Native American people for countless seasons.  Nomadic tribal groups such as the Kiowa, Comanche and Plains Apache found shelter from the cold winter winds.  The Wichita established permanent villages in the shadow of these mountains.” *

 Although these rugged crags do not match the height or the lush emerald foliage of Washington’s beloved Blue Ridge Mountains, they are unexpected in the flat grasslands of Oklahoma.  As I was winding my way up the knolls I had to stop for two deer that slowly sauntered in front of my car—You would think they would know it is hunting season—Run deer, run!!  Once I checked in to my motel I had just enough time to hike around a few of the short paths.  The lady at the Inn’s desk warned me to watch for rattlesnakes—Yikes!  I stepped very carefully!  The views were stunning—from the wooden footbridge to the stark rocks that formed these granite peaks.  This area is a true treasure of Oklahoma.  

*Quote is taken from a sign in the area.

Presentation at Grimes Elementary, Tulsa, Oklahoma.

Presentation at Rose Elementary.

A+ Fellows Retreat.

Presentations at James Griffith Intermediate School.