School Programs
School Program for Abigail Adams
Grades 4 - 8
“Taxes and Tea Parties: The Power of Civic Action”
Abigail Adams believed in the common sense of Independence, and students will be treated to a highly accessible, interactive, fun, and memorable experience that also compliments their class work. In this program, Mrs. Adams calls upon volunteers from the audience to take on the roles of American Patriots and Tories. Using instantly recognizable props, students participate in a program that emphasizes curriculum themes such as The Boston Tea Party, The Sugar, Stamp, Tea and Coercive Acts, Thomas Paine’s “Common Sense”, and much more. Abigail believed that conversation was of vital importance to the growth of our nation, and students are encouraged to participate in question and answer.
School Program for Betsy Ross
Grades 4 - 8
The Flag Unfurled: Independence and Motivation
Betsy Ross invites her young audience to join her in her upholstery shop. Betsy’s stories of personal trial and determination vividly depicts the tense, and sometimes dangerous political climate in Philadelphia during the struggle for American Independence. Using period-appropriate visual aids, she clearly illustrates the need for a flag to identify the new Country. As the students watch, she builds the American stars and stripes on a colorful felt story-board, step-by-step, from its historical heraldic components. Along the way she dispels myths about Betsy Ross and the flag, clearing the way for the students to develop an accurate understanding of the development of our Nation’s Emblem. Betsy incorporates audience-participation elements during the program, inviting students to dress in period clothing and act as “volunteer apprentices”. As with all of Kim’s programs, this presentation culminates in her answering questions, in-character, from the audience.
School Program for Annie Oakley
Grades 4 - 8
Aim for a High Mark: Responsibility and Determination
Her integrity and diligence came through in her motto: “Aim for a high mark and you will succeed...Practice will make you perfect. Eventually you will reach the bulls-eye of success.” As Annie tells her story, students learn that she not only spoke of these values; she lived them. During this school program Annie involves volunteers to join her on stage and use bean bags to practice some of the sharp-shooting feats that thrilled her audiences and earned the respect of the world. Oakley achieved fame in Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, which featured the classic elements of cowboys & indians, and sharpshooters. Her road to fame and success was filled with hardships and obstacles, which she overcame with grit and skill. She never let her family’s poverty, or the fact that she was a girl in a culture that considered women to be less worthy of notice than men, stand in the way of her goals. Annie fought for fair and safe working conditions and equal pay for an equal day’s work regardless of race or gender. She was passionate about teaching children the ideals that had made her strong, so she always ends her programs by opening to questions from the students.
School Program for Molly Pitcher
Grades 3 - 6
Wagoneer to Cannoneer: Volunteerism and Cooperation
During the Battle of Monmouth (June 28, 1778), Mary Ludwig Hays McCauley volunteered to help her husband’s artillery unit by bringing water to cool the cannon and to quench the soldiers’ thirst. When her husband was wounded, rather than let the short-handed cannon unit retreat, Mary once again bravely stepped-forward, this time to “man” her husband’s position at the cannon. In the face of uncertainty and danger she put her trust in her belief that helping her country was the highest priority. After the war, she returned to her humble home in Pennsylvania. Mary tells the story of the Battle of Monmouth and her participation in the events of the day. It takes many hands to fire one cannon shot, and all must work together in an orderly manner to achieve a common goal. To explain how to fire a cannon, she calls upon volunteers from the audience to use period-appropriate, ordinary kitchen implements in order to participate in an exercise in cooperation. The program closes with a Q&A session.
610-639-4025
rememberingtheladies.com
Others developed upon request
Working with young people is both challenging and rewarding. My school programs are developed to compliment curriculums and developmental levels.
Most of the photographs and names throughout this site are links. If you would like to learn more about one of The Ladies pictured below, place your cursor over either the photo or the name and click to be taken to a page dedicated to Kim’s interpretation of that individual.
