Published: October 19, 2009 12:33 am      

YOUNGSTOWN: Students “recruited” to learn about history

YOUNGSTOWN — The line of grade schoolers grabbed their muskets.

They all pointed their guns at their commander and he shouted, red-faced: “Has anybody heard me say, ‘aim?’ ” he asked.

The youngsters holding the wooden fire arms thought they were pretending to be soldiers 300 years ago. What they were actually doing was learning about local history in a way that they could touch and feel.

As the commander addressed the “new recruits” he explained the theory of 18th century battle. He lines them up, tells them to aim their muskets and says: “We’ve just increased our odds by lining 50 people in a row. We have just created the world’s first machine gun.”

It’s all part of a new program at Old Fort Niagara that allows students, particularly fourth-graders, to experience the early days of the Niagara region in an hands-on, interactive fashion.

The initiative, funded by a $600,000 grant from the John R. Oishei Foundation, has allowed the fort to amp up the educational experience so that students can really get a feel for history.

“Fire,” the commander shouted at the recruits. The recruits, who were holding fake guns, shouted — as commanded — “Kablooey.” Anybody who thinks the experience didn’t impress the youngsters has never tried to teach history to somebody not quite mature enough to understand the concept.

“This definitely puts history into their hands,” said Jennifer Kropidlowski, a fourth grade teacher from Huth Road School on Grand Island. “They’re 9 years old. Until they get to experience something it’s not important to them.”

By the time the class was done for the day they had spent time in bale races, dragging bundles of trading supplies in the manner of Great Lakes voyageurs in the 1750s; they got to touch fine furs and cheap wools that were traded; and even feel the supplies common to a soldier at the fort, including toothbrushes made from pig’s bristles and toothpaste made from charcoal.

The class was among about 400 students at the fort from school districts including Frontier Central, Grand Island and Newfane.

Those teachers whose classes were studying New York state history were provided a DVD to watch when they returned to school that took students even deeper into the topics and locations they’d experienced.

“Now, because they’ve been here, they’ll understand everything that comes after,” Kropidlowski said.

As the students moved through the fort they also got to watch bread being made and muskets being fired. There was a presentation in the French castle showing how native American tools and other items were influenced and changed by the influence of the Europeans.

“I think they’re all getting the realization that it was quite a struggle for the people in this area,” said Guy Rizzuto, who was dressed as a French voyageur.

Rizzuto is among the 22 fully dressed interpreters and re-enactors that enhance the fort experience for students, thanks to the Oishei grant called “Bringing History Alive.”

With money from the grant, fort officials were also able to hire six young actors from Niagara University to portray French and British soldiers throughout the summer in a program called “Rivals for the Empire.” The grant also funds the hands-on initiative this month called “Fridays on the Frontier.”

The investment has really changed the fort experience, according to Kathryn Vedder, director of development. “That is the sweetest part about this, the letters from teachers comparing this year’s experience to the years before. They think it’s phenomenal.”

The students seem impressed, as well.

“It’s really cool and interesting,” said Emily Cordero, 9, of Grand Island. “A lot of people don’t know about all this stuff.”

With guns firing, commanders shouting and bakers plumping bread dough for the hot ovens, it’s seems that students and teachers weren’t the only ones enjoying the experience.

“I have to drive 110 miles a day to do this,” said Alan Eimillier of the Town of Aurora, a former history teacher who was dressed for his role as a French grenadier. “It’s the best job I ever had.”