WASHINGTON — Saint Philip School’s Melissa Roberts and her fifth grade class participated in an extended day field trip to Boston’s Tea Party Ships and Museum and Freedom Trail thanks to a grant from the American Battlefield Trust’s History Field Trip Grant Program. This trip provided students with an exceptional, hands-on history learning opportunity.
As part of her history curriculum, Roberts’ class studies the events leading up to the American Revolution. Her class also participates in the production of a full length historical drama; this year’s drama re-enactment of the Midnight Ride of Paul Revere titled: “The Lantern’s Light”. Grants are awarded based on a competitive national application process, demonstrating Roberts’ commitment to excellence in the classroom.
“We were so incredibly blessed and excited to receive this grant from the American Battlefield Trust’s History Field Trip Grant Program. Without this grant, we would never have been able to experience this amazing trip,” said Roberts. “My students received a hands-on experience in which all that we had been learning in the classroom and through our play truly came to life for them in the streets of Boston! One of the greatest experiences was seeing the students’ excitement as they witnessed the role-play at the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum in which they heard words and phrases which are in their historical drama.
“Their interactions with our guide on our Freedom Trail Tour, in which they were answering his questions and finishing his teachings, were inspiring!” exclaimed Roberts.
The American Battlefield Trust is the largest battlefield land preservation organization in the country, having saved more than 52,000 acres of hallowed ground across 24 states. Through visiting preserved battlefields and walking in the footsteps of the citizen soldiers who fought there, the Trust aims to provide a foundation of good citizenship for the leaders of tomorrow. The Trust strives to produce excellent educational resources in a variety of formats for both educators and the public alike, ensuring that Americans never forget how their country was forged.
Every year, the Trust receives applications from classrooms across the country to participate in the History Field Trip Grant Program, which offers funding and assistance to K-12 teachers planning field trips to Civil War, War of 1812, or Revolutionary War battlefields and related historic sites.
“These kids get a chance to go to where history was made, where our country was created and defined,” said Trust President David Duncan of the History Field Trip Grant Program recipients, “Battlefields are outdoor classrooms that will teach future Americans about our democratic republic.”
Roberts has enormous enthusiasm for teaching history and was excited to utilize The Freedom Trail and the Boston Tea Party Ships and Museum as outdoor classrooms which gave her students a meaningful and memorable experience. The American Battlefield Trust is proud to support and empower such excellent educators as they inspire the next generation of proud Americans.
The American Battlefield Trust is dedicated to preserving America’s hallowed battlegrounds and educating the public about what happened there and why it matters today. The nonprofit, nonpartisan organization has protected more than 54,000 acres associated with the Revolutionary War, War of 1812 and Civil War. Learn more at www.battlefields.org.
