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| Saratoga Park Ranger Joe Craig, left, drills students in the Catskill History Club, with assistance from CSD history teachers/club advisors David Taylor, with flag, and Joe Crocetta, right. Photo contributed |
Catskill Middle School students live life of Continental soldiers at Saratoga
By Jim Planck
Hudson-Catskill Newspapers
CATSKILL — Most folks are familiar with the old saying that the best way to learn is by doing, and the members of the Catskill Middle School History Club have recently put that adage to good use as participants in a special day-long “immersion” at the Saratoga National Historical Park battlefield.
CMS history teacher and club advisor Joe Crocetta said Thursday that the May 17 event was right to the point.
“Students learn by doing, not by listening,” said Crocetta. “The purpose was to expose the students to the life of a Continental soldier during the American Revolution.”
“This technique promotes group work, character building, leadership skills, and cooperation,” Crocetta said.
“They wore 18th Century military uniforms, and were equipped,” he said, “with tricorn hats, haversacks, eating utensils, and replica muskets.”
“They were mustered in by Park Ranger Joe Craig, and were taught the art of drill,” said Crocetta, adding that the students learned how to stand at attention, march as a unit, load and fire their weapons, and even participated in a bayonet charge.
“Afterward,” he said, “they went on a hike to an area of the battlefield called Breymann Redoubt, where the turning point of the American Revolution occurred.”
Crocetta said the day wound up with a fireside lunch that included hardtack and fire cakes — “which were both common during this time period,” he added.
Crocetta said he believes the students learned a lot, on many levels.
“I think they thought it would be exciting, living the life of a Continental soldier,” he said, “but they realized that this life was difficult, and was quite a sacrifice these men had to make.”
“We heard our share,” Crocetta said, “of complaints during our march and drill session, and the fire cakes were not as tasty as imagined.”
“Our ranger did a great job disciplining the troops,” he added.
“In all,” said Crocetta, “the students realized what our forefathers had to endure for liberty.”
“Most agreed it was a hard life,” he said, “and one worth remembering.”
Seventh grader Alex Yager and eight grader Michael Casaregola both agreed the trip was well worthwhile and a lot of fun.
“Going to Saratoga National Park was a great experience for me,” said Yager.
“I learned many things about the battles, and the American army,” he said, “and had a great time doing it.”
“I had a wonderful time,” he said, “and hope to go back there soon.”
“The trip to the battlefield,” said Casaregola, “was an informative experience.”
“We got to hike on the battlefield, see a real musket fire, and learn cool facts about it,” he said. “I recommend this club to anyone interested in history.”
The group was only created at the beginning of this school year, last September, after Crocetta and fellow teacher and advisor David Taylor attended a series of workshops offered by the Buchanan, NY-based, non-profit Living History Education Foundation.
“We participated in workshops at Fort William Henry, Fort Ticonderoga, Saratoga National Park, and Stuyvesant Mansion,” said Crocetta.
“They focused on life during the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, and the American Civil War, and immersed us into the experience,” he said.
Crocetta said the club currently has 12 active members, from grades 6 to 8.
“We have tricorn hats, uniform tops, haversacks, tin cups, and muskets for 12 students,” he said, “plus cooking equipment, a flag and an 18th Century tent.”
“And we are always looking,” he added, “for donations of any item that could be passed off as 18th Century, or money to purchase additional items.”
The club was, in fact, the recipient of a $200 Catskill Educational Foundation mini-grant, which helped them acquire a number of the items they now have.
Crocetta also said that new recruits are also welcome.
“The club will be extended into next (school) year,” Crocetta said, “and it will begin when we recruit during the (district’s) Greater Sense of Place event in the fall.”
He noted that one of the hopes for the coming year is to secure an overnight immersion at the battlefield.
CSD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Farrell said Friday the club is doing great work.
“The History Club is part of our extended day program,” said Farrell, “and provides school students with an opportunity to apply their U.S. History knowledge to actual field events which replicate the formative period of our nation.”
“Students are able to participate in re-enactments of battles, experience military camp life — cooking, dress, shelter — examine period piece weapons and household implements, and attend classes as children of that period would have experienced education,” she said.
“They are ‘exposed’ to childhood diseases prevalent to the era — measles, influenza, tuberculosis — as part of learning about the medical care of the period, or the lack thereof,” Farrell said, “and they also experience games and entertainment common to the time.”
“In general,” she added, “they learn of what the lifestyle of our forefathers was actually comprised.”
“This is an enormously valuable experience,” said Farrell, “and helps our students more fully appreciate early American life, and the undertakings of the Revolutionary War soldiers.”
“Hands-on activities that fold learning into them,” Farrell said, “always stimulate interest, and form life-long appreciation for such an important part of our heritage.”
“The opportunity to take part in a replication at Saratoga with other students, and to share the encampment with them,” she said, “is something our Catskill History Kids will remember forever — and pass along to their children and grandchildren, weaving the thread of oral history of our culture and heritage.”
***
To reach reporter Jim Planck, call 518-943-2100, ext. 3324, or e-mail jplanck@thedailymail.net.
CMS history teacher and club advisor Joe Crocetta said Thursday that the May 17 event was right to the point.
“Students learn by doing, not by listening,” said Crocetta. “The purpose was to expose the students to the life of a Continental soldier during the American Revolution.”
“This technique promotes group work, character building, leadership skills, and cooperation,” Crocetta said.
“They wore 18th Century military uniforms, and were equipped,” he said, “with tricorn hats, haversacks, eating utensils, and replica muskets.”
“They were mustered in by Park Ranger Joe Craig, and were taught the art of drill,” said Crocetta, adding that the students learned how to stand at attention, march as a unit, load and fire their weapons, and even participated in a bayonet charge.
“Afterward,” he said, “they went on a hike to an area of the battlefield called Breymann Redoubt, where the turning point of the American Revolution occurred.”
Crocetta said the day wound up with a fireside lunch that included hardtack and fire cakes — “which were both common during this time period,” he added.
Crocetta said he believes the students learned a lot, on many levels.
“I think they thought it would be exciting, living the life of a Continental soldier,” he said, “but they realized that this life was difficult, and was quite a sacrifice these men had to make.”
“We heard our share,” Crocetta said, “of complaints during our march and drill session, and the fire cakes were not as tasty as imagined.”
“Our ranger did a great job disciplining the troops,” he added.
“In all,” said Crocetta, “the students realized what our forefathers had to endure for liberty.”
“Most agreed it was a hard life,” he said, “and one worth remembering.”
Seventh grader Alex Yager and eight grader Michael Casaregola both agreed the trip was well worthwhile and a lot of fun.
“Going to Saratoga National Park was a great experience for me,” said Yager.
“I learned many things about the battles, and the American army,” he said, “and had a great time doing it.”
“I had a wonderful time,” he said, “and hope to go back there soon.”
“The trip to the battlefield,” said Casaregola, “was an informative experience.”
“We got to hike on the battlefield, see a real musket fire, and learn cool facts about it,” he said. “I recommend this club to anyone interested in history.”
The group was only created at the beginning of this school year, last September, after Crocetta and fellow teacher and advisor David Taylor attended a series of workshops offered by the Buchanan, NY-based, non-profit Living History Education Foundation.
“We participated in workshops at Fort William Henry, Fort Ticonderoga, Saratoga National Park, and Stuyvesant Mansion,” said Crocetta.
“They focused on life during the French and Indian War, the American Revolution, and the American Civil War, and immersed us into the experience,” he said.
Crocetta said the club currently has 12 active members, from grades 6 to 8.
“We have tricorn hats, uniform tops, haversacks, tin cups, and muskets for 12 students,” he said, “plus cooking equipment, a flag and an 18th Century tent.”
“And we are always looking,” he added, “for donations of any item that could be passed off as 18th Century, or money to purchase additional items.”
The club was, in fact, the recipient of a $200 Catskill Educational Foundation mini-grant, which helped them acquire a number of the items they now have.
Crocetta also said that new recruits are also welcome.
“The club will be extended into next (school) year,” Crocetta said, “and it will begin when we recruit during the (district’s) Greater Sense of Place event in the fall.”
He noted that one of the hopes for the coming year is to secure an overnight immersion at the battlefield.
CSD Superintendent of Schools Dr. Kathleen Farrell said Friday the club is doing great work.
“The History Club is part of our extended day program,” said Farrell, “and provides school students with an opportunity to apply their U.S. History knowledge to actual field events which replicate the formative period of our nation.”
“Students are able to participate in re-enactments of battles, experience military camp life — cooking, dress, shelter — examine period piece weapons and household implements, and attend classes as children of that period would have experienced education,” she said.
“They are ‘exposed’ to childhood diseases prevalent to the era — measles, influenza, tuberculosis — as part of learning about the medical care of the period, or the lack thereof,” Farrell said, “and they also experience games and entertainment common to the time.”
“In general,” she added, “they learn of what the lifestyle of our forefathers was actually comprised.”
“This is an enormously valuable experience,” said Farrell, “and helps our students more fully appreciate early American life, and the undertakings of the Revolutionary War soldiers.”
“Hands-on activities that fold learning into them,” Farrell said, “always stimulate interest, and form life-long appreciation for such an important part of our heritage.”
“The opportunity to take part in a replication at Saratoga with other students, and to share the encampment with them,” she said, “is something our Catskill History Kids will remember forever — and pass along to their children and grandchildren, weaving the thread of oral history of our culture and heritage.”
***
To reach reporter Jim Planck, call 518-943-2100, ext. 3324, or e-mail jplanck@thedailymail.net.
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