Trenton, NJ – Secretary of State Nina Mitchell Wells and Marc Mappen – Director of the New Jersey Historical Commission – joined Montville School District leaders, teachers and elementary school students in unveiling “New Jersey History Kids” – a new, interactive and instructional website for teaching children key points of the Garden State’s unique, diverse and rich past.
The website - www.state.nj.us/state/historykids - will also prove an invaluable resource for teachers as they strive to meet key curriculum standards.
“This is an important day for every elementary-level child in the Garden State,” said Secretary Wells. “The education of our children is paramount – they’re our legacy and will be responsible for spreading New Jersey’s formidable historic and cultural legacy for decades to come. This interactive website will make that task easier and – most importantly – thoroughly enjoyable. Moreover, it’s a fantastic resource for our educators.”
The website will be an educational guide to a state that has played a vital role in the development of the American nation.
Specifically, the website will consist of eleven units drawn from historic locales throughout the state. These include: the Lenape Indians, farming, industry, invention, the Underground Railroad, the American Revolution, immigrants, the State House, Barnegat Bay, Delaware Bay, and the Pinelands.
Each unit is associated with one or more fields of study: the Lenape with Archaeology; Farming with Living History; Industry with Urbanization and Geography; Invention with Material Culture; the Underground Railroad with Family History and Folklore; the American Revolution with Geography; Immigrants with Oral History, Local History and Art History; the State House with Civics; Barnegat Bay with Folk Art, Material Culture and Regionalism; Delaware Bay with Material Culture, Historic Restoration and Regionalism; and the Pinelands with Folklife and Regionalism.
Among the highlights, students can utilize interactive mapping to view an array of videos about each unit, answer questions, study special topics and explore related activities.
Equally beneficial for educators, teachers can use the New Jersey History Kids’ website in one of two ways: either the student can use the website on their own, at home or in the computer lab; or the teacher can use the site in class with a LCD projector and/or a Smartboard.
“The History Kids website is valuable in so many ways,” added Marc Mappen. “Students and teachers alike will find it fun, easy, accessible and a great way to learn about the history of our great state. It’s certainly a ‘win-win’ for all involved.”
To visit “New Jersey History Kids,” simply log-on to www.state.nj.us/state/historykids and let a wonderful educational journey begin. For additional details or questions, please call Marc Mappen, Director of the New Jersey Historical Commission, at 609-984-0902.
The New Jersey Historical Commission is a division of the NJ Department of State. The Commission’s purpose is to improve the quality of life in the state by preserving the historical record and advancing public knowledge and awareness of the Garden State’s rich heritage.
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