Did you ever have a favorite uncle? You know the one I am talking about; the one that was a little bit irresponsible and just liked to have fun for the sake of having fun. According to the description of Teddy and his family by our guide, I think Teddy must have been like the John Candy character Uncle Buck. He must have been a blast to be around. It must have been high octane excitement and energy.
Following our visit today, I can totally relate to Teddy’s quote, “I wonder if you know how I love Sagamore Hill ….” What an incredible place. The home of Theodore Roosevelt was one of the stops I was looking forward to and I must say I was not disappointed. It was nothing like Springwood, the home of his distant cousin Franklin. They are both impressive, but I was much more taken by Sagamore Hill. Springwood is much more like a museum, while Sagamore Hill appeared more like a hunting lodge. Sagamore Hill had a much more lived in feel. I was surprised to find out that only Teddy’s family occupied the home and only the one generation. Judging from the stories, it must have been a fun place to live, unless you were Joe Cannon. I was, also, amazed to find out that most of the items in the house were original to the home.
Our guide gave us several interesting facts about Theodore, Edith and the kids. Teddy was on a $20 dollar a day allowance, while the hired help was paid $20 a week. The servants (the cook and seamstress) could punish the kids. There were 7,000 books in the house and family members and guests were expected to read one a day and have a conversation about it at dinner or they ate with the servants. Teddy refused to use the indoor plumbing because he thought it unsanitary. Custom of the day dressed all children in dresses until age 10, when boys got knee length pants and by the teenage years boys were in long pants and girls in dresses. What great classroom trivia that is. Can you imagine the discussion that could bring about? This could be a great segway into a discussion on customs throughout history, perhaps.
The museum was a great stop. To see the items that belonged to Teddy that I had only seen in pictures was a thrill. I had seen pictures of Teddy in his uniform, but to see the uniform was cool. The chaps and rifles from his ranching days were cool, as well. The entire thing was cool. Please forgive the paragraph overusing cool, but it was.
A great classroom assignment, one I have occasionally used, is to have students compare and contrast the two famous Roosevelts. Both from NY, both Assistant Secretary of the Navy, Governor of New York, Square Deal-New Deal, popular and so on. It gives students a glimpse of both men, while also comparing different time periods in US history. Another great activity would be to have students find and compare quotes from each. There are more than enough of these to go around. What were the occasion and the impact of the quote on Americans and thus American history? Theodore Roosevelt is a great figure to study from several angles, so today was a great stop.
A word to the traveler; some merchants would rather lose your business than write separate checks – interesting.
Great opening. Yes, I have a favorite uncle, and yes, now that you mention it, TD reminds me of him. TD is one of my favorite presidents. I really like the lesson idea of comparing the two presidents. Although we typically do not study the Roosevelts in fifth grade, but will use that idea for comparing presidents for something else we do teach.
Mark,
I think it would work with any presidents. The Roosevelts are easy because they are related and they are contemporaries and the whole Franklin married Teddy’s niece thing is a good hook. I usually end with that one so I can get the uughs. I can see you picking any two and possibly using a venn diagram and keeping things simple. Where were they from, Democrat or Republican or other, etc… It might work for comparing two audio clips of speeches. I’m really not sure what works at 5th grade, but like all good educational things we can adapt them to our level.
You went for the door way too fast. They were willing to work with everyone and the Greek food was delicious.
David, your idea of studying history through customs is great. After being at the Baseball Hall of Fame and the art museum I am seeing that there are many ways to present history. I thought of picking a baseball player and have the students complete a map of home state or country and research current events of that time period. I may even let them pick the player so there is more buy in.
Eva,
I like that idea. It sounds like a cool lesson. Letting them pick the player is a good idea, I agree about the buy in.
You might adapt if further and chart the cities that player’s team plays in as a geography lesson. It could then become math – how many miles did they travel, how long were they gone, what is the average length of a trip, etc…
I think the thing that makes history so cool to teach is that you can approach it from so many angles and points of view.
Hi David,
I enjoyed your comments on Teddy Roosevelt. Are you a teacher? I’m thinking you are — and I’d like to introduce your to my brand new book for middle graders: Theodore Roosevelt for Kids: His Life & Times with 21 Activities. You might find it helpful in class!
Good luck!
Kerrie
Kerrie,
I teach high schhol, but I have already passed your name on to my middle school and elementary friends.
DLH
Thanks, David!