Albert Einstein, John Adams, and Laura Ingalls Wilder walked into a gymnasium.
This isn’t another dad joke. It was Living History Day for the Lake Region Homeschool Group in Devils Lake, ND on Tuesday, November 11th.
“Over the years, our group has enjoyed going to Living History Day at Fort Totten, and hosting our own Living History Day was a great way to encourage our students to research a historical person and improve their skills in public speaking and dramatic presentations,” said Lori Nienhuis, the coordinator for the group.
Thirteen students dressed as historical figures and gave speeches or demonstrations while in character. Parents, grandparents, and friends made their rounds through the presentations in the gymnasium of Bethel E-Free Church, where the Lake Region Homeschool Group hosts weekly enrichment gatherings for homeschooled students and their families.
Armistice Day was a great day for observers to learn about the World Wars from both Sabina Wurmbrand and Manfred von Richthofen (the Red Baron). They learned about the history of the pioneering days through the eyes of Laura Ingalls and Theodore Roosevelt. Davy Crockett and Sakakawea explained exploration and frontiers. Athanasius and Albert Einstein shared their comparative wisdom.
Jack Jutila, 9, who gave a presentation about Charlie Kirk, said, “This is a great way to engage with other kids and learn about history.”
Students who did not give presentations listened to participants and selected their top three favorites. Noah Deckert, 10, who portrayed Einstein, and Anna Young, 18, who dressed as Sabina Wurmbrand, were chosen as first place for the elementary and high school age groups, respectively.
“My favorite part of Living History Day was acting like Einstein. I had so much fun getting into character and learning about his life!” Noah Deckert, 10, said. He wore Einstein’s easily recognizable unruly white head of hair and white mustache while also speaking as Albert with a German accent.
Homeschooled students enjoy learning history, according to the parents who were present at the event, and the variety of eras and interests at Living History Day proved it. Bringing history to life by talking like, presenting as, and dressing up as their favorite characters helps students to immerse themselves in historical information.
“I chose to be Davy Crockett because I enjoy learning about adventurous people,” said Landon Deckert, 8. “I especially liked learning about the Alamo and what happened there.”
Anna Young, 18, who chose Sabina Wurmbrand for her presentation, enjoys listening to audiobooks about history. She first listened to a book about Wurmbrand when she was 12, and it led her to want to read more about the Jewish convert to Christianity as she got older.
“I think it’s important to study history so that we don’t repeat the same mistakes people made in the past,” Young said. “Sabina Wurmbrand’s faith persevered through the three years she suffered in a concentration camp. I want my Christian testimony to be like hers.”
Kenzie Deckert, 5, portrayed Sakakawea, complete with a doll wrapped up to look like little Jean-Baptiste. “I loved acting like Sakakawea. I learned in a Lewis and Clark book that she carried her baby on her back all the way to the ocean!”
Maeve Young, 13, dressed as Manfred von Richtofen, the Red Baron, defined “dog fights” for her audience and explained how machine gun warfare became airborne in the first World War. She sported a military hat and a German war metal she found in an antique store in Grand Forks.
Some of the students used their Living History Day speeches for their 4H Club speech presentations as well, giving hints throughout the speech and ending it with “Who am I?” The audience enjoyed guessing Theodore Roosevelt, Harriet Tubman, and Laura Ingalls. (The bonnet worn by “Laura” was a good clue!)
John Adams and Charlie Kirk gave presentations regarding American freedoms and liberty. Abraham Lincoln shared about his famous speech, the Emancipation Proclamation, and how he had been assassinated in a theater. Ragnar Lodbrok told the audience why he wore hairy breeches (to protect himself from a venomous dragon) and that he accepted a bribe to stop his assault on Paris.
“The students are excited about doing this again,” coordinator Lori Nienhuis said. “It was a great way to increase everyone’s historical knowledge as they listened to the presenters.”
If you would like to learn more about homeschooling or the Lake Region Homeschool Group, please visit ndhsa.org or call Lori Nienhuis at 701-739-9946.
Sarah Dixon Young uses stories everyday to share the love of Jesus with her family, friends, and neighbors. She lives in Fort Totten, ND with her husband, Paul, and their four children. She is the author of five books, many articles, and more Sunday School lessons than she can count. You can follow her adventures or get in touch at www.SarahDixonYoung.com
