Colonial Time Period Dress for Student Expeditions/ Final Products and Community Performances

Moderation state
funded
Grant Applicant
Julie Brisbin and Nicole Hansen
Grant Co-applicants
Nicole Hansen
School Site
Sierra Expeditionary Learning School
Grant Category
Art/ Music
History/ Social Science
Grant Date
2025-03-31T12:00:00
Description

Aligned with California 4th and 4th grade state standards, the 48 students in the Brisbin and Hansen Crews participate in two Social Studies expeditions in two years, one in 4th grade, and one in 5th grade. The title of these expeditions are "Gold Dust and Gunsmoke" (Gold Rush), and "Redcoats and Rebels" (American Revolution). Students perform for the SELS Community and for the public in these expeditions (please see "implementation" for a deeper explanation for how these costumes are used). We are requesting funds to purchase 12 girls costumes and 24 boys gold rush costumes. These two successful, standards-aligned expeditions have been molded and shaped over the last 15 years; it is time to refresh some costumes that need to be retired. A few new costumes can breathe a little new life into our constantly improved social science expeditions.

Please see details of these expeditions that are lifted off of our Curriculum Maps below:

Redcoats and Rebels Expedition:

  • Students will research and write about the lifestyles and customs of the people of the American Revolutionary time period.
  • Students will examine the influence of social dancing on societies of the Revolutionary time period.
  • Students will rehearse and perform a Revolutionary social dance as a final product, in full colonial dress.

Gold Dust and Gunsmoke Expedition:

  • Students will attend various fieldwork experiences in full costume, therein replicating historical moments of the Gold Rush.
  • Students will research, rehearse, and film a black and white movie based on Charlie Chaplin's Gold Rush movie in full costume.
  • Students will create performances that will be assessed throughout the expedition and performed in front of the SELS community and in the greater Truckee community in full costume.
Benefits of Program

Researching these historical time periods, writing about them, participating in protocols that take learning deeper, and then having the ability to assimilate this learning through performances in costume create a rich and very complete experience for each of these students. Taking on a researched character through performance creates a heightened sense of responsibility and ownerships for students. Creating an unforgettable experience for the students, these performances allow students to take their learning beyond the textbook to share with the SELS and greater Truckee community. 

Success of Program

Students have successfully written and performed in costume for both of these expeditions every year for 15 years.

Implementation

In Gold Dust and Gunsmoke, students dress up and run a gold mining village in the classrooms, inviting the SELS Community and beyond to experience what a real gold mining community might experience, taking on the roles of various characters during the California Gold Rush period. During Redcoats and Rebels, students compose a period minuet (dance) and presentation to perform during SELS evening events, like Gratitude Night, and also perform their presentation for the Truckee seniors at the Senior Center. We also have plans to reach out to other community entities, like the Extended Care Facility. 

Examples:

  • Colonial Days
  • Fieldwork to various gold mining events and sites
  • Black and white movie that depicts the finding of gold in California
  • Social Dances and Minuet performances at the end of the Redcoats and Rebels expedition
  • Minuet performances in the community
Can you share this grant with your grade level or subject team?

Nicole and Julie each have 24 students, so 48 students total. We were granted funds in the past for some costumes for these expeditions, and have used these costumes for our final performances and events at school. We have shared them with other grade levels when they needed them, and plan to continue in the future.

Sustainability
These costumes will be used each year for our performances, and will be shared with others as needed each year. These expeditions have been the same for all 15 years that SELS has been in operation, and we will continue to use them every year.
Amount Funded
$1276.00
Individual Budget Items(s)
$64 - Royal Colonial Little Girls Princess Costume- Amazon x2
$36 - Royal Colonial Little Girl Child Princess Costume - Amazon
$358 - Kids Western Pioneer Costume - Amaxon x 10
$107 - Boys Pioneer Costume- Amazon x4
$300 - ReliBeauty Boys Pioneer Costume Kids Colonial Costume - Amazon x 10
$65 - Royal Colonial Little Girl Child Princess Costume- Amazon x 2
$55 - GRACEART Colonial Girls Dress Prairie Pioneer Costume- Amazon x2
$52 - GRACEART Colonial Girls Dress Prairie Pioneer Costume - Amazon x1
$34 - LTAKK Colonial Dress Girls Pioneer Costume Prairie Pilgrim Girl Dresses
$64 - Yejue Royal Colonial Little Girl Child Princess Costume - Amazon x2
Shipping
$54.00
Taxes
$87.00
Other funding sources

NA

Notes

Thank you for your consideration!
Julie and Nicole