EDT's Flagship Educational Tour Program
is assisting fourth grade teachers in bringing California History to life for students and parents. Our curriculum-driven educational tours allow students to learn through hands-on, highly interactive experiences. Your students will see their classroom studies materialize as they mirror the steps of important figures in California History.First, they will see our government in action as they explore the magnificent California State Capitol building. They will discover the impact that the transcontinental railroad had on California, as well as the entire nation, during their visit to the Railroad Museum. Students will identify the differences between modern times and the past as they take part in a lesson at the Old Schoolhouse Museum.
Our experienced and very informed trip leaders explain all facets of California History as your students travel through time to see how our state evolved. Our EDT leaders work with the teachers to understand what is important for their particular class to match their curriculum agenda. They are the glue that brings all the elements of our California History tour together for your class.
The fun and real memorable learning begin when students experience Marshall Park where gold was first discovered in California and our authentic exclusive presenters. They truly bring California History to life and take the students and parents back in time to illustrate what life was really like in the Gold Rush days.
Students will experience gold panning first hand on and near the American River with our certified gemologist pictured below. Each student receives a vile and gold pouch to store and keep the gems they find in their pans. Authentic gold panner Rich makes sure that each student understands the gold panning process and the differences in gems found in the rivers of California. EDT and Rich actually stock our water troughs with gold specs and other gems to insure that each student is successful in finding gold. The troughs are located on the American River and students can easily understand how this process was completed in the river itself.
EDT's Mountain Man, Tall Steve, enlightens in a dramatic way the life of trappers and guides during the American migration west and gold rush times. He brings skins from a variety of animals that were a part of life of the times. The students are able to touch and handle the traps, skins and other items used by these men. Our Mountain Man is very articulate and captures the interest of both students and parents during his presentation. You can see the lights come on in students and parents eyes when Steve demonstrates throwing a hatchet or loading and shooting a musket rifle (blanks of course). Steve hangs around afterwards and answers any, one on one, questions your students and parents may have.
EDT's Pioneer Woman and Tin Smith programs give students the opportunity to engage in many hands on activities. With Jessie, students can learn to make toys of the time including wooden spinning tops, Dolls and toy crawlers. With Betsy, students learn the art of tin smithing to demonstrate how pioneers made everything from door latches to lanterns. Teachers may decide which of these programs to include in their tour and what items they want to students to bring home.
EDT's Pioneer Music Program describes the music and relaxation activities of the times and brings them to life with their incredible story telling abilities and songs.
All of these educational tour activities, taken together, create a vision of California History that will not be soon forgotten by your students and their parents. We hope that you will consider organizing one of the California History Tour options listed below for your students and parents.
Choose a trip below or click the customize button!
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Program Description
Our California Living History Program can be a 1, 2 or 3 day program that takes the students on a historical journey through California's historic Sacramento, the Gold Country and Sacramento. Each individual tour is led by an experienced Tour Leader who will facilitate every aspect of the educational tour. Students will experience what they have learned in the classroom.
