Student Collection Provides Inspiration, How-To'S for Classroom Oral History Projects

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News Release

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: April 25, 2002
CONTACTS: Kathy Westra, (703) 243-1487

STUDENT COLLECTION PROVIDES INSPIRATION,
HOW-TO'S FOR CLASSROOM ORAL HISTORY PROJECTS
New Resource Available from Rural Trust, What Kids Can Do

Washington, DC -- Tell Us How It Was: Stories of Rural Elders Preserved by Rural Youth is the title of a new collection of oral histories and classroom oral history resources published this month by the Rural School and Community Trust and What Kids Can Do, two nonprofit educational organizations. The centerpiece of the publication is a sampling of oral histories collected by students in rural communities stretching from Alabama to northern California, Wisconsin to south Texas.

To help teachers and their students undertake oral history projects in their own classrooms, the volume also includes:

a step-by-step review of a middle-school oral history project from planning through publication;
an extensive annotated bibliography of oral history resources for teachers and students, which includes both publications and web-based sources; and
information from three Rural Trust sites that have undertaken oral history projects, giving concrete tips and "how-to" guidance for teachers.

"One of the most exciting facets of our work with rural schools across the country is seeing the excellent work young people are capable of producing, while learning important academic skills," said Rachel Tompkins, President of the Rural Trust. "This volume is testimony to the fact that when the community becomes the textbook, the classroom, and the laboratory for student learning, kids can achieve great things."

"No textbook can rival the power of hearing a vivid story of the past directly from someone who experienced it," said Barbara Cervone, President of What Kids Can Do. "And oral history projects can be a powerful learning tool. Students not only learn the history of their region and nation but gain valuable practice in skills of research, questioning, listening, shaping interview material into coherent narrative, and using technology to publish their work. As this collection of student-gathered oral histories shows, young people also gain important exposure to perspectives outside their own, benefiting from relationships with an older, wiser generation."

"This collection has enormous potential as a resource for other young historians because of the documentation of the process that is faithfully provided and the helpful reflections of young people and teachers," adds Dixie Goswami, Co-Director of the Bread Loaf Teacher network.

The volume is available from the Rural Trust for $20, which includes shipping. To order, send payment to Rural School and Community Trust, Attn: Publications Manager, 1530 Wilson Blvd., Suite 240, Arlington, VA 22209.

The Rural School and Community Trust (Rural Trust) is the premier national nonprofit organization addressing the crucial relationship between good schools and thriving rural communities. Working in some of the poorest, most challenging rural places, the Rural Trust involves young people in learning linked to their communities, improves the quality of teaching and school leadership, advocates for appropriate state educational policies, and addresses the critical issue of funding for rural schools.

What Kids Can Do is a national nonprofit organization founded in the winter of 2001. WKCD documents the value of young people working with teachers and other adults on projects that combine powerful learning with public purpose for an audience of educators and policymakers, journalists, community members, and students. WKCD believes in expanding current views of what constitutes challenging learning and achievement, particularly for adolescents. For more information, visit the WKCD website at www.whatkidscando.org.