Archive for the ‘Distance Learning’ Category

Slammin’ Joe was a ditcher. You know, a ditch-digging man, one of George Washington’s enslaved workers who dug holes wherever the General needed them around the estate. Doesn’t sound familiar? Then get to know Slammin’ Joe — a character based on one of the estate’s real-life, 18th-century enslaved persons — a little better via a Mount Vernon’s distance-learning program. In what can only be considered a miracle of the modern era, the 18th century is beamed into classrooms (libraries and assisted living homes too) via 21st-century technology. These 30-minute nuggets of drama and content allow Slammin’ Joe to share stories of his work and family life and then open the floor up for questions. Sound like something a classroom near you might like? See Mount Vernon’s distance learning page.

Every December Mount Vernon hosts its Evening for Educators — a time for nearly 200 area teachers to gather at the estate for a totally free performance, hors d’oeuvres and wine, and candelight tours of George Washington’s Mansion. It’s Mount Vernon’s way of saying thanks to all the educators who work hard keeping America’s children abreast of the nation’s past. This year teachers got a behind-the-scenes peak at the enslaved community at Mount Vernon. Washington’s enslaved servants Billy Lee, Caroline, Oney Judge and Christopher Sheels, plus Thomas Jefferson’s manservant Bob Hemings, discussed what the new constitution might mean for them.

The performance was filmed as part of a Mount Vernon distance learning program, and will air on local Fairfax Network on February 22 from 1 to 2 p.m. Afterwards, it will be available for free on DVD.

Interested in attending next year’s event? Keep an eye out as the holiday season rolls around and RSVP. Find out about programs such as this via our education department’s email listserv: Ask to be included by emailing education@mountvernon.org with your request.

It’s not often that a character from George Washington’s life enters a classroom in Nevada, Ohio or any other locale that isn’t in the vicinity of Mount Vernon, but through our Face to Face programs, which beam a number of personalities from Washington’s estate into schools across the country via video conferencing, students have been able to interact directly with characters ranging from Martha Washington to George Washington’s personal physician, Dr. Craik.

Mount Vernon’s education department is proudly introducing its newest Face to Face character, Mrs. Forbes. As the Washingtons’ housekeeper, she shares details about the family’s day-to-day life and adventures, with a special emphasis on the importance of family.

To celebrate Mrs. Forbes’ arrival we’re giving away a free performance to the first two elementary school teachers who email education@mountvernon.org with “MRS. FORBES” in the subject line. So email now!*

The 30-minute performance consists of a live monologue by Mrs. Forbes followed by a Q&A session during which students ask Mrs. Forbes questions. At the very end of the performance, Mrs. Forbes comes out of character and answers students’ questions as a modern-day historic interpreter.

Our four current Face to Face programs are appropriate for a variety of grade levels, plus libraries and assisted living residencies: The First First Lady: An Audience With Martha Washington; Dr. Craik, Presidential Physician; Once Upon A Time At Mount Vernon; and Mrs. Forbes, Washington Housekeeper. To sign up for any of these, see the above webpages or visit the Center for Interactive Learning and Collaboration website and search for “Mount Vernon.”

We hope to be seeing you in a classroom soon.

Update: Winning classrooms have been selected and notified. The contest has ended.

* Classrooms must be technologically compatible with our Tandberg Video Conferencing system. The free program will be available to the winning teachers Monday through Thursday the week before Presidents Day (Feb. 14 through Feb. 17) and any Thursday during the 2011 school year.

The Mount Vernon traveling exhibit “Discover the Real George Washington” plus our portrait project joined forces when George Washington portraits were presented to two different schools at the North Carolina Museum of History, where our traveling exhibit is currently hosted.

The portrait project, which invites K-12 schools nationwide to request a free framed portrait of George Washington, is proud to announce that Murphey Traditional Academy from Greensboro, N.C. and Moore Square Museums Magnet School from Raleigh, N.C. are a couple of our newest recipients.

Murphey Traditional Academy is a Title 1 magnet elementary school and a recipient of a travel grant to see the exhibit. Moore School is a middle school that partners with museums and cultural centers, giving students access to a multitude of resources. Perhaps not surprisingly, both are big fans of George Washington.