School Presentation...

kcsteve

kcsteve

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My son who is in 7th grade request that his ole dad give a Civil War presentation in his History class this Thursday. At this age kids eat this stuff up. I know my son really really enjoys hearing me talk about all the old coins I find and civil war relics and bullets I've found over the years. I've got a full hour to give presentation and my only concern is bringing civil war bullets to school. Has anyone met opposition to this? Would this be offensive to school policies? This is a private school so maybe their policies are more leniant to a degree. I am going to talk to school administration prior to going. Any comments?
 
Hi KCSteve,

In Georgia there is a strict no tolerance rule for students bringing "weapons" into the schools. It results in immediate suspension, no questions asked. However, the term "weapons" is very broad. We had a young man suspended recently because of a sharply pointed backpack tag. Who knows ?

However, in this instance your role is the teacher and with prior approval from the administration, they will welcome your presence at the school. Plus your items are not such as to constitute a "weapon" even with a broad interpretation of the term.

Suggestion: stick to the relics and the descriptions and stay away from reasons for the conflict, who won, who lost, why, etc. Maybe even discuss the "art" of metal detection.

That's my 2 cents worth. Neat that you're able to take your knowledge and experience and share it with the youngsters.

Good Luck and let us know how it goes.

Rodney
 
The admin. will set the rules for you. The only thing I would watch for is the kids handling the bullets...you know lead poisoning and all that.

I did talks to my kids classes for several years. Listen to this typically strange school policy I ran into. I could take in bullets and all kinds of relics. I could not take in any guns, but I could bring bayonets and swords. When I commented that the muskets could really only be used as big clubs while the edged weapons were still quite dangerous, I was told that didn't matter. :roll:

You can also take in your MD to show how you found these items and use this class talk to plant a positive seed in these kid's heads about our hobby instead of the "looter" image that many are trying to do.
 
I'm on my conference/preparation period right now.
I teach Algebra at a smaller school in south Arkansas and I have given some talks to the History classes here. You know, I never thought to ask about bringing examples of the bullets I have found. I've brought examples of pistol calibers up through the .69 caliber bullets, although no cartridges. I even brought a pair of .36 Navy Colts I dug on one of my sites. The principal sat in on one presentation and never brought up the fact that I should have checked first before bringing them.

We also have a very strict rule against any types of weapons at school. They don't even want me to have my Sig Sauer .40 in my pickup parked out in the teacher's lot! LOL

Should I give a talk in another school system, I'll know now that I need to check about these things first. Thanks for bringing this to my attention.

Take care,

Kim
 
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Steve,
I have talked to several classes about civil war ITEMS. I have tried to steer clear of why the war was fought but if someone asked, I told. I carried a lot of relics and once even asked questions about what I had talked about and rewarded with a mini. I asked the principal beforehand and got permission. How about a PP with pictures of relics these are easy to find on the net? Most schools have the box light and you only bring the CD. Might be an option.
Tim
 
Offensive? Meaning North and South sensitive or Zero tolerance , no weapons at school sensitive?

Ive taken many different dangerous object to schools. Our schools policies are Zero tolerance unless its a part of the class.

Say if the class has a reinactment. They can bring guns to school for that. They cannot however posses ammo for the weapon. We have skeet shooting club. They have to lock all weapons in a case and secure in trunk. Ammo may not be possesed in the same vehicle.

Every school district has different policies regaurding Zero tolerance.

You'll have to call the principal on this one.
 
O-yeah,

Thats great your doing this. Ive done it several times with civil war stuff.

Im always in school teaching something. Since Im a detputy, I get the chance more often than others to speek.

I love it and incourage others to do it.

You may say one word that changes a childs life.

Teach them a little ethics about our sport. Also how you aquired your items, talking, maping etc. Kids eat it up!
 
Hey guys, thanks a MILLION for all the great advice!!!! I talked with school Administrator and have full permission to bring any and all civil war relics,bullets and buttons to classroom. :up I'm very eager and excited to give this presentation because I think it is imperative for the sake of our younger generation to have a LOVE for American History! Thanks again guys and I'll let you know how it goes this afternoon.

Steve
 
The presentation was a success!!! I never saw so many kids so intent on listening to every word I said. The look on their faces said it all. I started out by showing them the Civil War relics and coins I had found over the years. After a short discussion on what I had found I then focused their attention to the detector I used to find these relics. I did a bench test right in front of them so they could hear what each target would sound like and boy were they impressed!!! I seriously believe 75% of them had never even heard of a detector and how it could be used to find coins, jewelry and relics. When it came time for questions, several kids raised their hand and asked questions relating to detecting. It was fun and enjoyable the whole hour and I believe I sparked enough interest in many of them to consider getting started in this great hobby of metal detecting.
 
Fantastic Steve !!!
I'm glad to hear everything went well ! You never know.....you might have started something there.

I really love doing the education and presentation with people of all ages but the kids really seem to become more animated. It makes you feel like you're really giving something back and contributing to the memory of the participants in that conflict doesn't it ?

Keep up the good work !!
 
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Steve,
Proud to hear everything went well. Hope you didn't tell them any secret spots or it sounds like you might have company.LOL
Tim
 
Steve, Sounds like you created lots of interest in relic hunting and metal detecting.... hope you didn't give your phone number out.... you may be giving detecting lessons!

Good job with presenting our hobby to young ones!

Kim
 
Thanks guys for the incouraging compliments! I know for a fact it made an impression on the hearts and minds of the young kids. Last night I had my sons (13th) birthday party, invited several members of his class at the party and several commented to me during the party how they loved the presentation. Some told me they have coin collections and some told me they were going to ask their dads if they can get a detector. The seed has been planted and I believe nothing but GOOD will come out of this. Thanks again guys and have a great weekend!!!
 
Hi KCSteve,

Congratulations on a successful presentation. Sounds as though things went very well indeed.

Grab those kids while they're on fire and drag the to the plowed fields. Set them loose digging up and savings relics !

Nice piece of work.

Rodney
 
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