LEGACY PROJECTS - CHARACTERS FROM HISTORY
I wanted to thank all of you for your support of ALMANZO WILDER: LIFE BEFORE LAURA. Thanks to all those who have purchased it. For those who haven’t, but would like to, the DVD is available at the Wilder Homestead in Burke, NY. You can order the DVD on-line at www.almanzowilderfarm.com.
Beyond Little House, American history has always been something that interests me, so I’m pleased to announce that I’m going to be producing other documentaries that feature American heroes and patriots. The idea is to make these stories come alive for young people in particular and hopefully inspire them to make a difference in the world and in our country. I’m also more than pleased to tell you that I’m working on a production paradigm that would deliver these “slice of history” DVDs to school children for about the cost of a Happy Meal or a paperback book!
Some of you out there are teachers and parents and you certainly have an interest in the education of children… I would love to hear from you. Which of the following titles do you think would have the most appeal to 3rd, 4th, and 5th grade students and teachers? Here are some of the ones under consideration:
Tom Savage – early Colonial period - a young boy from England who, at 13, stowed away on a vessel leaving London for the Virginia colonies. He was traded to the Powhatan Tribe in exchange for a Native American boy. Tom provided valuable information about Native American culture (as well as information about the likelihood of attacks) to the colonists.
Benjamin Banneker – Revolutionary War era - a Revolutionary War patriot and an African American freeman who aided in the design of the Capitol. A man of great accomplishment, Banneker wrote a famous letter to Thomas Jefferson, advocating the abolition of slavery. A child prodigy, Banneker was also an astronomer and published an almanac.
Sybil Ludington – Revolutionary War era - At the tender age of 16, Sybil Ludington, daughter of an American military leader, took a midnight ride longer and more dangerous than Paul Revere’s famous ride, to warn the colonists that the British had invaded Danbury.
Spy Kids of the American Revolution – Revolutionary Era - Dicey Langston and John Darragh are only two of the young people who were used as spies and messengers during the American Revolution. The fact that they were mere children meant they were often overlooked by adults and therefore were valuable messengers… though it was dangerous work. John Darragh, 14, would listen in on the British officers who took over a room in his parents’ house. His mother would sew information into his coat buttons so he could deliver “intelligence” to George Washington’s army. Dicey Langston, 15, often overheard neighbors and loyalists talking about troop movements. When she heard that the British were planning to attack her brother’s militia, she ran to warn them, swimming though the Tyger River in the middle of the night to do it.
Elizabeth Blackwell – Pre Civil War - the first woman doctor in America. After being rejected by over 20 medical schools, Elizabeth was finally admitted to Geneva Medical College as a prank. But she stuck it out and graduated first in her class in 1849, despite the fact that she was forbidden to attend certain anatomy classes which were deemed improper for a lady to attend.
Maggie Walker – Post Civil War -A community leader and civil rights advocate born in 1867, Maggie was the first woman (and an African American) to start a bank in the United States. Despite the recent economic downturn, the bank she started in still in existence today.
Other titles under consideration are the more familiar ones: Betsey Ross, Martha Washington, Pocahontas.
So this is your chance to help design the future of my venture into American History! Write to me and let me know which titles interest you the most. Feel free to suggest other names as well.
Best to all…
Dean
May 28th, 2009 at 5:49 am
I don’t know very much about American History - but the little I know my favorite topic always was the famous “Pony Express”.
Very interesting stuff for kids I think, to learn about the outstanding services performed by fearless riders as forerunners of modern mail and communication systems.
May 28th, 2009 at 7:17 am
As a mother of kids in this age group, and a teacher of this age group, I am very excited about this project. I think kids would be fascinated by the Spy Kids you mentioned while schools would be more likely to purchase titles about more familiar people covered in their curriculum.
May 28th, 2009 at 12:16 pm
Hi Dean!
The Spy Kids project sounds wonderful! I have 2 boys I know would love it.
I’m glad to see that you are really gearing the stories to kids. I have a degree in American History, and often wonder about the best ways to present this to my kids. I think something on Lewis and Clark would be interesting too. It’s a fascinating story and a great adventure.
Will these be available for individual purchase, or are you planning on only making them available to schools? I know I would be interested in purchasing anything along the lines that you’ve already presented - the Almanzo Wilder DVD has been a big hit in our house!
Thanks for taking on yet another great project!
Tracy
May 28th, 2009 at 6:18 pm
As a future teacher and someone who has worked with children for a long time, I am also excited to hear about this project!
I also like the “Spy Kids” idea - I know a few kids who would just eat that up! The Tom Savage one looks great, too. Honestly, all of these ideas are great!
While we have had many wonderful adults throughout history, its nice for kids to learn how other kids have become an important part of history. I think it gives them the confidence to know they can make a difference, too.
I am looking forward to seeing more about this project. I know I would definately be interested in purchasing DVDs like this for my classroom and I know some of my teacher friends would be as well!
May 30th, 2009 at 7:45 am
I’m very encouraged by these comments and others I’ve received. Thanks for your thoughtful, positive suggestions.
Dean
May 31st, 2009 at 12:38 am
Dean,
just a thought - “Justin Morgan and the Morgan Horses”. I don’t know if you can count that into American History but may be interesting for kids who like horses.
June 6th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Hi Dean. I LOVE this project idea. I adore American history. My daughter Laura Elizabeth, (yes, I did name her after you know who) is now 17 and has been homeschooling for the past few years, and getting ready to start college classes. She wants to be a writer and has definite opinions about how stories are told and what she likes to watch and read. I will run your ideas by her and also run it by others I know who homeschool as well as elementary and high school teachers I know, if you like, and get back to you or have them get back to you. -CS ^..^
June 8th, 2009 at 8:31 am
As the mother of a 9-year daughter, I would like to see stories celebrating some of the women that you mentioned. They are often left as footnotes in textbooks but their contributions are very important!
June 18th, 2009 at 11:31 am
Sorry it has taken me so long to get here and comment on these new project ideas. Like you, American history has always fascinated me. For a long time all I read was non-fiction, mostly about the Civil War.
I’m not sure who has contacted you directly other than those I see above, but I will send you links to where I posted this announcement so that you can read direct feedback on these project ideas.
My oldest daughter thought the Spy Kids would be neat. I think all of them would be excellent projects, but as a fan of Dr. Quinn Medicine woman, Elizabeth Blackwell’s story holds special interest to me.
Thank you for reaching out to the fans for their feedback. Wishing you all the best on these and all future projects.
Cheryl
June 20th, 2009 at 7:19 pm
Dear Dean,
I am a 40 year old who just re-read the Little House book series randomly and enjoyed every word! Since then I have started rewatching the tv series and remembered the huge crush I had on you! You all really did a great work which is still obviously popular worldwide. I just wanted to encourage you on your endeavors. What you are doing is very important, and much needed for our youth. I’m so glad that a creative and talented person cares enough to educate our children in an enteraining way. My girls are only 3 and 2, but you can rest easy that when they are old enough you will have two more members of your fan club! I really thing all of these ideas are great, sorry I can’t pick just a few!