THE ASSIGNMENT
My daughter, a college sophomore, is taking an interesting honors class in the humanities with three different professors, whom we’ve come to know in the last year.
Because the course covers history, art, and literature of the Renaissance, it is team taught by those professors, each an expert in one of those areas.
On the first day they were assigned presentations with room for creativity, which the professors assured my daughter, includes costumes.
RENAISSANCE COSTUME
Did someone say costumes? Cur non?
Since my daughter totally has the spirit of Lafayette, she asked me if I had time to sew a costume.
Well…not one from scratch, but how about wearing my 1495 Venetian gown?
She loved that idea!
THOMAS JEFFERSON ARCHITECTURE INSPIRED BY THE RENAISSANCE
While considering an artist from the Italian Renaissance, my daughter decided to make it relevant to her Virginia classmates.
Since we live in Northern Virginia, we often see the definitive architectural style of Thomas Jefferson, and she’s familiar with my favorite book on the topic, that I purchased at Monticello a couple of years ago after seeing an exhibit.
Inspired by the 16th century Venetian artist Andrea Palladio, Jefferson replicated the style in Monticello, the Academical Village of the University of Virginia, the Virginia state capitol, Poplar Forest, and many other locations we have visited.
Since I talk about this topic all the time, her familiarity allowed her to easily research with my book to create her presentation.
TIME FOR THE SHOW
BILL BARKER COLONIAL WILLIAMSBURG INSPIRATION
Deciding to take a cue from the Colonial Williamsburg historical interpreter who famously portrays Thomas Jefferson, my daughter replicated what she’s seen him do at the Tucker House for donors.
After her 16th century presentation, she walked out of class quite dramatically to respond to something calling her out of doors, then dramatically, but cheerfully, returned as herself to answer questions the class might have!
Everyone loved it!
Her art professor exclaimed that she had never seen a student do a first-person historic interpretation.
My daughter had a blast with this experience!
CLASSICAL EDUCATION PERMEATES
Classically homeschooling to Become History has definitely permeated her!
Her classmates are jealous she had such a neat school experience with real books that are more interesting than the boring modern stuff they are always assigned in public school and college.
Dismayed by all the modern in college, my daughter creatively seeks ways to infuse class with classical elements, causing her classmates to clamor to be in her group.
She is so glad that we homeschooled.
