January is a full month when it comes to the history of Native Americans. A lot of things happened in past Januarys. Going all the way back to 1689 when the Abenaki Indians attacked a settlement in Saco, Maine and killed nine settlers. In 1706, Spanish leaders, trying to improve relations, met with leaders from the nearby Pirtle Indian tribes. In 1830, Red Jacket (Sagoyewatha), the great Seneca leader dies. Born around 1779 he was known as a great speaker and for his refusal to adopt “white ways”. And in 1863, the Bear River massacre takes place in which hundreds of California volunteers attacked Northern Shoshone Indians and killed several hundred, possibly including women and children.
The history of the original Americans is fascinating, sad, powerful and inspirational. And it is a story that all of our children need to learn. Which is why we have been so pleased this year to finally have a top class school assembly to offer covering this very topic!
We recently had our new Native American school assembly - Piankeshaw Trails - in the greater Chicago area and we received some great reviews and some new pictures I thought I would share with you.
The show was at Ravinia Elementary in Highland Park, Illinois, and they loved it!
Our client there is Ms. Deb Starkman, and she wrote this to us after the show:
“This program was wonderful! Sheryl brought many amazing pieces to help bring this information to life. The students were engaged throughout the program and were excited to participate!”
Well, that seems to be born out by these photos!
Piankeshaw Trails is indeed an awesome school assembly, and one that is especially pertinent this time of year for two reasons. Winter and Spring are often the times when teachers move into the social studies component that contains study of Native Americans, and Piankeshaw Trails augments and supports those studies perfectly. But February s also the time of year when many Cub Scout Packs begin hosting their Blue and Gold Banquets. Piankeshaw Trails makes absolutely perfect entertainment for a Blue and Gold Banquet!
So check out these cool pictures! When can we bring Piankeshaw Trails to your school?
Geoff Beauchamp is the Regional Manager of Mobile Ed Productions where "Education Through Entertainment" has been the guiding principal since 1979. Mobile Ed Productions produces and markets quality educational school assembly programs in the fields of science, history, writing, astronomy, natural science, mathematics, character issues and a variety of other curriculum based areas. In addition, Mr. Beauchamp is a professional actor with 30 years of experience in film, television and on stage. He created and still performs occasionally in Mobile Ed's THE LIVING LINCOLN.
