Oklahoma Foundation For Excellence To Host Virtual Colonial Days

Fifth grade teachers across Oklahoma are invited to register their classes for Virtual Colonial Days, a series of early-American history webinars presented by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence.

The event is called Colonial Days. For 20 years, this event has been held in person, and it served around 500 students.

But this year, it’s their second virtual version and they are serving more than 250 teachers and 9,000 students.

They are inviting more to join in on the fun.

Virtual Colonial Day Project Director, Teresa Potter, said the students are not missing out on too much by going virtual.

"Going virtual, of course we don't have the benefit of being in person, however we still have those historical characters and we have tried to make those virtual experiences with them," said Potter.

The theme is 'Agents of Change: Promoting Civil Discourse and Action.' 

This year's online lesson will focus on the importance of civil debate and the role it plays in creating positive change in democracy.

Students will virtually meet people from the past.

Presenters include Tulsa historical interpreter Stephen Smith will portray Founding Father Benjamin Franklin.

Mount Vernon historical interpreter Tom Plott will portray Dr. James Craik and will reflect on George Washington as a change agent.

Colonial Williamsburg historical interpreter Bryan Austin, will portray James Madison, Father of the Constitution.

Colonial Williamsburg actor and interpreter Deirdre Jones Cardwell will portray Agnes, an enslaved woman in the home of Peyton Randolph and speaker of the Virginia House of Burgesses.

Kids will be challenged to consider how they can be problem solvers and have civil discussions and make positive change in their own communities.

"We’re trying to teach our students that they can learn from their forefathers, mothers and historical figures and that they can make change in history without walking all over people or hurting feelings," said Potter.

She said it also feels great to help teachers during this challenging time.

"To me it is the greatest honor to help teachers and lead teachers and promote our colonial days so that they have those experiences that they can be excited about and share with students," said Potter.

The event will give kids the opportunity to see what they are capable of.

"They themselves, as young 5th graders, can be civic leaders and promote change in their society but they need to do it in a way that doesn't hurt people."

The 45-minute webinars are free for fifth-grade teachers and will be held at 10 in the morning on Fridays of Jan. 28, Feb. 11, Feb. 25 and March 4.

This opportunity is for 5th grade teachers only. 

You do need to register, and the last day to do so is Monday, January 17th.

Click here to register.

Following the series, students will be invited to participate in a literature contest reflecting on how they can be agents for change in their communities. 

Virtual Colonial Days is part of the Early American History Programs, sponsored by the Oklahoma Foundation for Excellence, a statewide nonprofit that recognizes and encourages academic excellence in Oklahoma’s public schools.

The foundation also administers scholarships for fifth and eighth grade teachers to attend the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute.

It has also co-sponsored Colonial Day at the State Capitol, a hands-on history education event for fifth-graders.