Plaque
presented to the Lloyd Harbor Historical Society by the Association
of Afro-American Life
and History
Title
Page from one of the publications
by Jupiter Hammon
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The
Lloyd Harbor Historical Society's
Jr. Docent Program
| Definition/Explanation |
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A docent is a person who educates people about a particular
subject. A junior docent is a school-aged student who is trained
to educate other school-aged children about a particular subject.
At the Lloyd Harbor Historical Society (LHHS), adult docents
give tours of the historic 1711 Henry Lloyd Manor House and
barn and discuss the salient aspects of the 18th century architecture,
furnishings, and lifestyle of the original residents of the
Manor. The LHHS Junior Docent Program trains fourth grade
students to give tours of the Manor house and to explain how
the many household items contained therein were used by colonial
people. Our fourth grade junior docents present their programs
to their own fourth grade classes. Also, junior docents have
the opportunity to invite their families, relatives, and friends
to a special preview of their class presentations.
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| How
the Program Works |
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Prior to the visit to our site by the classes, the junior
docents are trained by two of our adult docents. On the
day of the class visit to the Henry Lloyd Manor House and
barn, the students in each class participate in a variety
of activities. The teacher of each class has previously
selected specific vocabulary words for concept development.
Also, the teacher has pre-selected two "colonial crafts",
such as tinsmithing, candle making, writing with quill pens,
etc. for the crafts segment of the day's program. The vocabulary
and crafts are correlated with the New York State Standards
for learning outcomes, goals and objectives in particular
subject areas. Hence, the teacher selects the specific objective
and the specific subject area that he/she wishes to address.
In this way the program is flexible and tailored to the
needs of individual schools/classes/community groups. Also,
the program can be modified to address a particular perceived
need.
On
the day of the class visit to the Manor, the junior docents
give their classmates a tour of the Manor House, gardens,
and barn. Each student, instructed by an adult docent, makes
his/her own craft items, to take home. Usually, each student
also gets the opportunity to churn butter, which is tasted
on the corn bread that is provided for the group. |
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| Post-Visit
Activities |
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Teachers receive a follow-up work booklet, which they are
free to reproduce. Activities in the follow-up booklet include
vocabulary drill, concept expansion, artistic activities,
writing activities, etc. Once again, while working in their
own classrooms, the junior docents may have the opportunity
to clarify concepts or further instruct their fellow students.
The activity packet is intended for follow-up and review-
at the teacher's discretion. |
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| Reason
for the Jr. Docent Program |
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Junior docents are impressive and effective as teachers. They
earn the respect and attention of their fellow classmates
by imparting knowledge and they get the opportunity to hone
their speaking presentation skills. By actually showing the
antique objects, which they are describing, both the docents
and the students understand the explanations of the use of
each object more easily. |
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| What
You Can Do |
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If you are interested in having your child's class participate
in a junior docent program, encourage the teacher or principal
to contact the LHHS at our website address. If you are a
scout leader, club leader, group leader in some capacity,
and wish a program tailored to your needs, contact the LHHS
at info@lloydharborhistoricalsociety.org.
The
cost is minimal at $2 per participant plus the cost of materials.
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