Information for teachersAn Introduction to Living History"History is not the ebb and flow of impersonal forces but is shaped and changed by the ideas and actions of individuals and governments... we learn from sometimes painful, sometimes exhilarating, often humdrum experiences of these who precede us. We want our students to understand how people in other times and places have grappled with fundamental questions of truth, justice, and personal responsibility and to ponder how we deal with the same issues today.... History should be presented as an exciting and dramatic series of events in the past that helped to shape the present. The teacher should endeavor to bring the past to life, to make vivid the struggles and triumphs of men and women who lived in other times and places. The story of the past should be lively and accurate as well as rich with controversies and forceful personalities.... The teacher should never neglect the value of good storytelling as a source of motivation for the study of history.... This framework emphasizes the importance of enriching the study of history with the use of literature.... Such literature helps to reveal the way people saw themselves, their ideas and values, their fears and dreams, and the way they interpreted their own times.... This framework supports methods that engage students actively in the learning process. Local and oral history projects, debates, simulations, role playing, dramatizations, and cooperative learning are encouraged."History-Social Science Framework
"...fruitful learning, real learning - leading to new understandings, new attitudes, new behaviors - will occur only when the person as a whole is actively engaged intellectually, emotionally and practically through doing.... Classroom teachers, however, have the excuse that they are cut off from the real experiences by the walls of the classroom, the asphalt playground and the chain link fence.... Way back in history, the Chinese passed on words of wisdom: I hear and I forget; I see and I remember; I do, and I understand. The National Parks Translation of this proverb reads: Learning requires activity on the part of the learner. People learn best from firsthand experiences. People retain about 10% of what they hear, 30% of what they read, 50% of what they see and 90% of what they do. ...Teaching really means creating situations where discovery can occur." You Talk Too Much
Dear Teacher: Generally, groups that are better prepared gain more from the Age of Sail voyage. Please take advantage of the following information and resources to ensure the success of your exciting journey. This information has been designed to help make your trip go as smoothly as possible. Please read through these materials carefully and thoroughly to avoid any last minute complications. We appreciate the time and effort you have committed by bringing your group to this unique overnight program. Let us know if there is anything we can do to further assist you. An Introduction to The Age of Sail GoalsPrograms offered by Maritime Programs are explorations into the lives and ways of the 1906 sailor by means of experiential education. Throughout the entire experience, emphasis is placed on building self-esteem, a sense of responsibility, respect and cooperative learning skills. These skills are not just useful on the vessel or in the classroom, but will be useful throughout ones entire life.We also strive to increase the awareness of San Francisco and California history, the maritime industry and to introduce to the participants the similarities and differences between their daily lives and those of the historic sailors. Through this learning, we hope to make the children better understand the continuum of history so they will see themselves as a part of history, not as an observer. ScenarioThe Age of Sail takes place aboard the C.A. Thayer and the Balclutha at Hyde Street Pier, a division of the San Francisco Maritime National Historical Park.The year is 1906; there has been a devastating earthquake and fire and San Francisco lies in smoldering ruins. Our vessels, the C. A. Thayer and the Balclutha, are lumber carriers. Our Captain wants to sail out through the Golden Gate and up to Portland, Or., to pick up lumber and help rebuild the city. Unfortunately, our regular crew has gone ashore to fight fires and help in the rescue operations and so the Captain needs a crew. The school children, or lads, arrive at Hyde Street Pier to sign aboard as the replacement crew. Our Captain will not sail with an inexperienced crew. Therefore, the lads must prove to the Captain, through the completion of tasks, that they are capable of sailing the C. A. Thayer or the Balclutha. These tasks include, but are not limited to: reeving a block and tackle, riding a Bosun's chair, rowing a longboat, cooking on a wood-burning stove, setting hawsers, standing night watch and raising sail. The teacher's guide contains most, but not all of the information that the students will need to complete our program. The additional information will be taught on board. The number of tasks completed and the possibility of each crew either riding the bosun's chair of rowing the longboat is directly contingent on the quality and quantity of preparation the entire crew receives prior to the start of the program and their ability to apply skills learned in the class to the new situations on board. MethodsOnce the lads board the vessel, its hands on education for the lads, and hands off education for the adults. This means that the lads must problem-solve, as individuals and in small groups using cooperative learning techniques to accomplish their tasks. We find that self-reliance increases the rewards of completing a challenging job.The vessel is staffed with a crew of between four and six who are there to prompt the lads through questions and subtle examples if they reach an impasse. Each of the cast of characters has a specific personality, based both on history and on the needs of the lads. The Captain is quiet and stern, the Doctor, understanding and compassionate. The First Mate is stern, but fair. The Second and Third Mates are in the same boat as the lads; they are new to the vessel and often make mistakes, but find a way to work through them. The Bosun, an experienced sailor, circulates around the vessel, stepping in where needed. TrainingThe children do need to understand the basic concepts and possess the rudimentary skills needed to complete a task. Experience has taught us that a well prepared, knowledgeable crew is a safer, happier and more successful crew. Because of this, we require that each crew receive classroom training before they board the vessels on Hyde Street Pier.The responsibility of training each crew in their specific tasks falls upon the Safety Officer/Tall Sailors (an adult). We strongly recommend that they spend a minimum of 3 hours training their crews. Not only will this help the crew prepare for the tasks ahead, but it will help your Tall Sailors prepare for their role as a Safety Officer/Tall Sailor. If they are familiar with the tasks, they will be better able to spot potentially dangerous situations and safety problems before they arise. We also provide in-school training for a minimal fee upon request. Two staff members will visit your school and help prepare the teachers, parents and crews for their voyage. Role of the ParticipantsOnce on board, everyone has a role to play. The officers are on board to guide the lads through their tasks, each through a specific characterization. It is helpful to begin role play in the classroom.The Tall Sailors have one of the most difficult roles on board: they are there for safety only. This is challenging because parents are used to stepping in to help and guide their children in unfamiliar or difficult situations. To stand back and watch the children struggle through a problem is difficult, but necessary. One of our goals is to increase the problem-solving skills of the children and if a Tall Sailor steps in, the opportunity to learn is lost. In addition, the Tall Sailor's role can be physically taxing as they are asked to stand for long periods of time and their sleeping situation is rather uncomfortable. The teacher has one of the more pleasant roles on board. Teachers are considered guests of the Captain. This title allows you open access to the vessel and the pier. As a guest, we ask that you circulate through all the crews and enjoy watching your students grow to meet the challenges of being a sailor. The lads are on board to learn about themselves, each other and the Maritime industry in one of the most beautiful environments in the world: The San Francisco Bay. Preparing Your CrewBefore you come aboard, it is mandatory that the group be divided into five crews
Each crew (member) must:
Helpful HintsPrior to the voyage, make the mate of each crew responsible for his or her crew in the classroom. Give the work assignments to the mate, then have the mate pass the orders to the rest of the crew. Make the mate responsible for collecting and turning in homework and assignments for the entire crew.Cover the clock and keep bell time in the classroom. You can use either a bell or finger cymbals. Start a class logbook. Have the color of the name tags, T-shirts, or bandannas of each crew match that of the color coding on the gear. T-shirts are available from the Maritime Store (415 775-BOOK) The Galley crew may want to make Joe Froggers, traditional maritime cookies or other baked treat prior to arrival to serve as a snack before the voyage and at 1700 hours. Prior to the voyage, start incorporating salty language (avast, port, starboard, all hands, Sir, carry on) into your everyday vocabulary. To insure that all students have new experiences, please be careful to avoid gender specific crews, i.e., an all female Galley crew or an all male Boat or Rigger crew. Things to BringMedical Emergency Forms: No crew member or adult will be allowed to board the ship without this form. They should be given to the office prior to boarding.Galley gear: Each participant will need to bring a metal plate or bowl, cup, spoon. Plastics and glass are not allowed. Please label each piece with tape and a permanent marker. Clothing: BE PREPARED. The ships crew will be on deck rain or shine. Temperatures range from 45 - 78 degrees with 20 - 25 knot winds. Participants may get wet during some of the normal activities (swabbing the deck, hauling water). For these reasons, a second set of clothes and shoes should be brought. A watch (ski) cap and gloves are also recommended for night watch. Foul Weather Gear: While rain is not the norm, fog, high humidity and wind are. Foul weather gear will protect from the fog and cut the wind! Ponchos or large plastic bags will work in a pinch(but are not as safe as jackets) Time Line for the Day of the Program*
*This time line is approximate and is subject to change. Copyright (C) 1999-2005, Maritime Park Association.
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For education program reservations and questions, please contact us at: (415) 561-6662 ext. 30
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