LIVING HISTORY

AT STRAWBRIDGE SCHOOL

 LIVING ELLIS ISLAND

March 30, 2012

Come and explore a moment in history, Ellis Island, where you become one of the 12 million persons who passed through its halls between 1892 and 1954. You will learn first-hand the effect this ‘gateway to the new world’ had on peoples’ lives, their families’ lives, and the institution’s impact on our country--and our world--for generations to come. Learn about the journey to America, what people brought with them, the world they left behind, what the United States was like and its attitudes about immigration and public healthcare, and about the individuals who were brave enough to make this journey their own. Join us, and find out what life was really like inside Ellis Island!   

What is Living History?

In 1994, a Strawbridge teacher, Joanne Bruno, went to the PTA with an idea for re-enacting historical moments and providing a hands-on approach to studying history for the students of Strawbridge School. Then PTA president, Noreen Gallagher, loved her idea and together they planned the first Living History Program about the Underground Railroad.  The program involved parents, teachers and students.  Every year since then, parents have volunteered to take on the task of creating presentations, decorating rooms and hallways and creating a whole-school program based on a central historical theme.   

This year, the Living History Program takes place on one school day, with a preceding day now available for setting up the rooms in advance. Parents form groups and create 25-minute presentations based on a central theme or topic. Once the Living History topic has been chosen, room ideas are decided upon. With 8 different rooms, including a craft room, there are plenty of opportunities to explore the topic!  The parents develop the concept for their room, and create an interactive environment to present their topic. This year, the program will begin in the AM session and conclude in the PM session, all on the same day.  An all-school program is followed by student visits to the rooms.  The student body is organized into mixed-age groups of about 30 children.  A teacher guides the groups as they visit the rooms.  

Past Living History topics have included the Middle East, the Renaissance, The Living Constitution, and Space Exploration, New Jersey, and Ancient Greece, The Living Earth and, just last year, The History of Strawbridge School itself.

Living History is a unique program to Haddon Township and is admired throughout the district. The program brings history to life in an exciting format for the children and the adults of Strawbridge School.  The students enjoy the variety of experiences and love seeing their parents as instructors and actors!  The parents enjoy spending time with the students and faculty as they work together to teach and learn as partners in the Strawbridge School community.