 | History Labs | | Our exciting, curriculum-based history labs offer students of all grade levels a special in-depth experience highlighting specific themes from Dallas County history. Students can test their skills of law and liberty in our And Be It Resolved mock trial program, recount the fascinating history of the Dallas skyline in Building Big D or experience how inventions from Dallas County changed our lives in Computer Chips to Corny Dogs.
We regularly mail flyers and email the latest information on our educational programs. If you would like to be added to these lists, please email our group sales department at groupsales@oldred.org or call 214-757-1949. | | | | | And Be It Resolved
Grades 8-12
Judge, jury, bailiff, lawyers, and witnesses all come to life as students create a mock trial in Old Red’s 1892 restored courtroom. Students take on the roles and responsibilities of a civil court case while learning about law and local government, the details of court proceedings, the importance of a trial by jury, and how to create and analyze arguments. Students sharpen their critical thinking skills and have a unique opportunity to practice public speaking in this mock trial format. And Be It Resolved allows students to write opening statements, question witnesses, and create closing arguments through the characters they create while learning about law and government and our justice system in a fun and interactive way.
Main TEKS covered: - English Language Arts and Reading – 8.5, 8.15.
- Social Studies – 8.19, 8.30.
- High School – English I-III 1, 17; English IV 1,11; Practical Writing Skills 3, 4; Speech Communication 4, 5; Public Speaking 2, 7; Debate 2, 7; United States History 24, 26; Government 21
| | | | | | | Computer Chips to Corny Dogs
Grades 4-7
Dallas County evolved through the innovative spirit of people with hopeful dreams of a better life. Students learn about the exciting businesses and inventions made possible by the technological advancements that started in the Dallas area, including the Texas Instruments’ integrated circuit, 7-Eleven and the Slurpee, and the Frito Corn Chip to name a few. Through a variety of hands-on stations, students investigate important “firsts,” explore the economic impact of production and consumption, and identify Dallas inventors who impacted history. Creating inventions of their own, investigating historical photographs, and designing advertisements are all part of the fun and excitement of this inventions program.
Main TEKS covered: - English Language Arts and Reading – 4.25; 5.25; 6.24; 7.24
- Social Studies – 4.5, 4.21; 5.13, 5.24; 6.20, 6.23; 7.20, 7.23
| | | | | | | Culture Shock
Grades 7-12
Students transform into historical anthropologists for an investigation of Dallas County culture, past and present. Students uncover the meaning of culture by learning to identify cultural universals like kinship, artistic expression, economics, and belief systems. In addition to first-hand analysis of primary sources and historical family photographs, students explore the connection between culture and economics with a hands-on investigation of cultural objects. Learning the importance of artistic expression through culture, students engage with diverse samples of music connected to history. After exploring several examples of cultural, religious, and patriotic holidays, students create an original holiday of their own honoring their culture and heritage as an important part of today’s Dallas culture.
Main TEKS covered: - Social Studies – 7.19; 8.13, 8.24
- High School U.S. History– 113.32; 113.37
| | | | | | | Building Big D
Grades 7-12
The excitement of the downtown Dallas skyline forms the backdrop for discussing how technological advancements such as concrete, air conditioning, and the elevator affected architecture and urbanization in Dallas. By identifying differences between historic and modern photographs of Dallas buildings, students see for themselves how these structures evolved into skyscrapers. Stepping out onto the plaza next to Old Red offers an in depth discussion on Old Red’s architecture and the architecture of the surrounding buildings. No discussion on Dallas architecture would be complete without a detailed tour of the Old Red Courthouse intertwined with historic photographs and primary sources documenting the building’s colorful history. Students create architecture rubbings of the unique patterns and textures of the Old Red Courthouse while learning the fascinating history of the 1892 Courtroom, the Restoration Room, and the Great Hall.
Main TEKS covered: - Social Studies – 7.20, 7.23; 8.29, 8.32.
- High School, United States History – 2, 11, 22, 23
| | | | | | | Castle in the City
Grades K-4
Young faces glow with excitement as they step into the “Castle in the City” to learn about the most unique building in Dallas. The 1892 Courthouse sets the stage for an exciting exploration of history and architecture as Wylie, the Old Red Wyvern, guides young minds in a short story through the historic halls of Old Red. Students make architecture rubbings of the building to identify unique designs and discover shapes such as circles, squares, rectangles, diamonds, triangles, stars, and hexagons in Old Red’s unique architecture. Identifying these shapes along with glue, construction paper, crayons, and markers prompt students to construct a building of their own and add it to a sketch of the Dallas skyline to take back to the classroom.
Main TEKS covered: - English Language Arts and Reading – 1.1; 2.1; 3.1
- Social Studies – K.16; 1.16; 2.5, 2.16; 3.4, 3.16
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| | Big Business in Big D
Grades 8-12
Dallas County is home to many companies and inventions that have changed our lives in dramatic ways. From Texas Instruments’ computer chip and 7-Eleven’s convenience stores to Fletcher’s Corny Dogs and Liquid Paper, such inventions were the result of ordinary people looking for ways to make life a little bit easier. Students will learn how an invention goes from an idea to a multi-million dollar phenomenon in this hands-on program. Investigating historical photographs of Big D businesses, writing company slogans, and creating advertisements are just a few of the ways students will learn about the role marketing and propaganda play in our society and the products we use every day.
Main TEKS covered: - English Language Arts and Reading – 8.3, 8.24.
- Social Studies – 8.3.
- High School English 110.42, 110.43, 110.44, 110.45, 110.46
| | | | | | | This Little Light of Mine: How Culture, Kindness, and Citizenship Shape Where We Live
Grades Pre K -6
Dallas County has grown into a collection of culturally rich and diverse communities. From Jewish and African-American communities to Hispanic and Asian communities, the children and adults in these neighborhoods comprise the cultural quilt that is Dallas County. Students learn about the people and traditions of Dallas County through engaging musical instruction from Miss Jenni, a local musician and educator, and make a simple instrument of their own to join in the fun. No study in culture and citizenship would be complete without students learning how to become good citizens themselves through kindness and volunteerism – core characteristics for any community.
Main TEKS covered: - English Language Arts and Reading –K.2, K.3; 1.2, 1.3; 2.2; 3.2; 4.4; 5.2; 5.4; 6.2, 6.4
- Social Studies –K.15; 1.12, 1.13, 1.15; 2.13, 2.14, 2.17; 3.10; 4.20, 4.22; 5.23; 6.14
| | | | | | | Hats in the Courtroom
Grades K-3 (Beginning in October of 2009)
Judge, bailiff, lawyer, court reporter, witnesses, and jury members all “wear different hats” as they carry out their responsibilities in a courtroom. Imagine the excitement of sitting at the judge’s bench, keeping order in the court, presenting a case, giving testimony, or voting as a jury member to reach a verdict. Students learn about various roles in a fun way as they try on the different hats in the 1892 courtroom and participate in a simple trial. Students will step up to the judge’s bench, tap the gavel, sit in the lawyer’s chair, “object” to court proceedings, and take the witness stand in this introduction to law and citizenship for younger grades. After trying on many hats in Old Red’s courtroom, students will have the opportunity to make a hat of their own to take home.
Main TEKS covered: - English Language Arts & Reading – K.8; 1.11; 2.8
- Social Studies – 4.13, 4.20; 5.14, 5.23; 6.15, 6.16, 6.19; 7.19; 8.13, 8.24
- Theatre - 3.1
| | | | | | | And the Verdict Is…
Grades 4-7
The dynamics of law and society take shape as students become active participants in a mock trial. From judge and bailiff to lawyers and jury, every student plays an active role in creating and analyzing a civil court case and understanding the important components of a trial. Students exercise their public speaking abilities and have a one of a kind opportunity to enhance their critical thinking skills as they write opening statements, witness testimonies, and closing arguments. Their hard work is put to the test as a jury of their peers deliberates over the information presented and returns with a verdict.
Main TEKS covered: - English Language Arts and Reading – 4.5, 4.15; 5.5, 5.15; 6.5, 6.15; 7.5, 7.15
- Social Studies – 7.20, 7.23; 8.29, 8.32.
| | | | | | | Gather ‘Round Children: America’s Folk Song Heritage
LET US BRING HISTORY TO YOU! A SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR YOUR CLASSROOM!
Grades Pre-K - 6
In pioneer times, a “play party” was a special time set aside for kids to dance and sing together. Gather ‘Round Children is designed to introduce young audiences to the songs and dances of pioneer children in an authentic play-party atmosphere. “Miss Jenni” dresses as a pioneer and accompanies herself on a mountain dulcimer, guitar, and concertina. She leads children through easy, energetic pioneer play-party songs and dances that are as fun for children today as they were years ago. This program allows all children to role-play, sing, and dance with each other in safe and friendly ways while learning about life long ago.
Main TEKS covered: - English Language Arts & Reading – K.1; 2.1; 3.1; 6.1
- Social Studies – 1.15; 4.20; 5.22
- Music – K.2; 1.5; 2.5; 3.2, 3.5; 4.2, 4.5; 5.5; 6.5
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| | What’s a Wyvern?
Grades 3-6
The unique architectural details of Old Red such as Wyverns (gargoyles), stained glass windows, sweeping arches, turrets, and the grand iron staircase set the stage for a journey through architectural history. Students will enjoy making architecture rubbings to discover the special features that make the 1892 Old Red Courthouse a fun and engaging place to be. Geometric words such as parallel, perpendicular, and symmetrical take on real meaning as students study these terms as they relate to architecture. Comparing buildings from the surrounding skyline to Old Red help answer the questions of how and why buildings changed over the decades. The study of architecture finishes with each student making a two-dimensional, symmetrical stained glass window to take home.
Main TEKS covered: - English Language Arts and Reading – 3.1; 4.3, 4.5; 5.2; 6.22
- Mathematics – 5.7; 6.11
- Social Studies – 3.16, 3.17; 4.23; 5.25; 6.22
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