Thanks to a grant from the Excellence in Education Foundation, fourth and fifth graders at Sierra Expeditionary Learning School (SELS) experienced California’s history, including the Gold Rush, in full costume.
The grant, submitted by teachers Julie Brisbin and Nicole Hansen, funded the purchase of new colonial and pioneer costumes to replace well-loved pieces that had been used for over 15 years. These costumes are part of two long-standing SELS social studies expeditions, Gold Dust and Gunsmoke and Redcoats and Rebels, which align with California’s fourth and fifth grade history standards.
In Gold Dust and Gunsmoke, students recreate a gold mining village in their classrooms. During Redcoats and Rebels, they research daily life during the American Revolution, learn period dances, and perform a colonial minuet for families and community members.
Dressing in costume allows students to truly embody the time periods they study. Through role play, research, and performance, students deepen their understanding of historical events and figures.
“Taking on a researched character through performance creates a heightened sense of responsibility and ownership,” the grant application noted. “It creates an unforgettable experience for the students, allowing them to take their learning beyond the textbook and share it with the SELS and greater Truckee community.”
The Excellence in Education grant funded the purchase of 36 costumes for a total of $1,276. The new pieces will be shared among grade levels and used year after year, ensuring that the program continues for future SELS students.
Here’s what one parent had to say:
“Dressing up creates a collective experience among the class that takes experiential learning to a deeper level. During our field trip experiences, I could hear some of the girls discussing what it would have been like to dress like this back then; and in particular, the challenges of doing manual labor and facing intense heat with heavy garments. Whenever my daughter wore her dress, it mentally prepared her for a new learning opportunity each and every time. Thank you for helping to make this wonderful experience possible!”