Traveling History Show Hit With Kids

The eagle has landed at Sun Valley Middle School.

On Wednesday, students there participated in “The Eagle Flies Free,” an innovative program visiting southern California schools in an attempt to make learning about United States history a little more fun.

“For some kids history can be boring,” said Principal Manuel Rangell. “They ask ‘why is this relevant? What difference does it make? Who cares?’ This program ties history into the child’s world view. It makes history relevant.”

“The Eagle Flies Free,” which is sponsored by Pacific Bell as part of its Pioneers volunteer program, features an elaborate poster and a customized encyclopedia listing 150 historic people, places and events.

These historical subjects are connected to more familiar modern icons as a way to stir student curiosity.

In a question-and-answer game with a group of sixth-graders, instructors responded to incorrect answers with positive and encouraging feedback and rewarded correct answers with pencils, colored pens and other school supplies.

Guadalupe Castillo, 11, said she enjoyed learning about the different presidents.

“The teachers are funny and I like when they show me about my country,” Guadalupe said. “They make it more fun because they give out presents if you say the right answer.”

The program, which is free to the schools, was created and is run by a sister and brother team, Tracy Lampson and Frank Salcido and their friend Debbie Callaway.

All three work as directory assistance operators for Pacific Bell and live in Simi Valley.

“The Eagle Flies Free” has now presented its program at more than 30 schools in Southern California. It donates a poster and an encyclopedia to each school it visits.