KWAN TAI TEMPLE RESTORATION PROJECT

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KWAN TAI TEMPLE RESTORATION PROJECT

Applicant and/or teacher sponsor:
Loretta McCoard, Lorraine Hee Chorley, Bronwyn Rhoades (Windows I teacher)
Project title:
Temple Kwan Tai Restoration and Historical/Cultural Research
Student Groups /Teachers/ Community Members/Partnerships Involved:
Temple Kwan Tai , Kelley House Museum, high school students in Windows I, Community Involvement and Independent Study courses
Number of students affected:
30-70
Length of project:
1997-1998 with possible renewal for 1998-1999

Students and the NCRCN coordinator will look for funding for the restoration of the Temple of Kwan Tai. Students will also be involved in historical research about the Chinese community and their contribution to life on the coast from the the 1850's through the present.

Students will work with the coordinator, Windows I teachers and the temple's board to develop curriculum materials and visitor information for the temple when the renovation is completed.

2. Connections
How does the project connect with our theme of people, history, and place? How does the project interact with the community?
How does the project connect with other NCRCN members/sites?
How does the project invite student planning/student choice?

The Temple Kwan Tai structure is a state landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It provides a rich link with Mendocino's historical past. In the 1870's the temple had a full time priest and was actively used by the Chinese community . By the early 1900's the Chinese population decreased and a present there is only one original Chinese family remaining in Mendocino. The temple has been in the Hee family for four generations with each generation promising their parents that they would keep and protect the temple. In order to keep that promise the heirs of George Hee donated the temple to a non-profit corporation who is continuing on Kwan Tai's behalf.

The Temple is 143 years old and time has taken it's toll on the building. In order for this building to stand for future generations it needs a new foundation, floor, and new interior studs inside the walls. Because of its present condition it cannot be open on a regular basis. Once monies have been raised for restoration the corporation will open the Temple of Kwan Tai on a full-time basis with an education center.

Student involvement in this project can take many forms from helping with fund raising, to doing research or perhaps participating in the restoration itself. The education center will offer expanded opportunities for students to participate in sharing this important part of Mendocino's history with others. The research project is not only a historic project but will also forge an understanding of the cultural values of the Chinese and their economic contribution to the building of Mendocino County. As they learn about what happens when people from different cultures come together to share ideas and information they will become students of the global as well as the local village.

3. Student Learning
How will the project improve student learning?
How will you evaluate or assess what students have learned? What kind of data will you collect? Action Research question?
How will you evaluate or assess the community impact?
How will students share their project and learning with others at their own site, other sites or within the community? How will students be involved in the evaluation of the project?
Will your project have a service learning component? If so please describe.

Students in Windows I, the integrated 9th grade Social Science/Language Arts/Technology class, read, write, discuss, and create multimedia projects around the theme "My Name, My Family, My Community". They study the importance of family and community in their own lives and through the lives of fictional characters, Windows I students could apply their classroom learning, their technology expertise, and contribute to their community (another theme is "My Responsibility To My Community") This project fits into the focus and purpose of the class but takes the curriculum and learning to a much higher level, one where students take responsibility for sustaining the heritage of their community. Led by older students who are involved in this project through Independent Study or Community Involvement, and in coordination with the temple board of directors, this project promises to give real collaboration and cross generational work the chance to fit smoothly into the school freshman Windows I program.

This project will involve students in real historic research. There are still many important documents which are not generally available, such as the Caspar Lumber company employment figures for Chinese workers. With assistance from the Kelley House museum, students can research and help locate information, becoming familiar with the techniques of historical research in the process.

The students could develop multimedia curriculum materials for other student groups as well as tourists taking an active role in applying their skills and knowledge and creating new materials will be a powerful learning experience.The development of curriculum materials for visiting school groups is another way to involve students in significant learning about their town's heritage and give them a vehicle for using their knowledge to educate others. By learning about the role of the Chinese community in the town of Mendocino the connection will be made to ways in which the past affects the present.

In assisting the Temple of Kwan Tai corporation with their work, students will be providing a new, fresh energy to the restoration effort. This project will have the students interacting with the older community members which in turn will bridge the communication gap.

4. Support
What kind of support would you like from the coordinator/TSA?
What kinds of funds will you need for the project? Please supply a general budget.
(staff development, release time for planning, transportation, materials..)
What other sources might provide additional funding for the project?

The coordinator will work closely with Loretta McCoard and Lorraine Hee Chorley, as well as the rest of the board of directors to assure that the project is heading in the appropriate direction. The coordinator, along with the student group, will actively look for funds for the restoration effort. In addition the coordinator will direct Independent Study or Community Involvement students in their historical investigations, assist in the development of the curriculum for the education center and coordinate student participation in temple fund raising efforts. The coordinator will work closely with the Windows I teachers to facilitate logistics for smooth integration into the curriculum.

Budget

photographic film and processing /materials for presentations $150
student travel for research and presentations $150
printing of brochures for the temple $300

Funds for the restoration will come through additional grants obtained.


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		KWAN TAI TEMPLE RESTORATION PROJECT Applicant and/or teacher sponsor: Loretta McCoard, Lorraine Hee Chorley, Bronwyn Rhoades (Windows I teacher) Project title: Temple Kwan Tai Restoration and Historical/Cultural Research Student Groups /Teachers/ Community Members/Partnerships Involved: Temple Kwan Tai , Kelley House Museum, high school students in Windows I, Community Involvement and Independent Study courses Number of students affected: 30-70 Length of project: 1997-1998 with possible renewal for 1998-1999 Students and the NCRCN coordinator will look for funding for the restoration of the Temple of Kwan Tai. Students will also be involved in historical research about the Chinese community and their contribution to life on the coast from the the 1850's through the present. Students will work with the coordinator, Windows I teachers and the temple's board to develop curriculum materials and visitor information for the temple when the renovation is completed. 2. Connections How does the project connect with our theme of people, history, and place? How does the project interact with the community? How does the project connect with other NCRCN members/sites? How does the project invite student planning/student choice? The Temple Kwan Tai structure is a state landmark and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It provides a rich link with Mendocino's historical past. In the 1870's the temple had a full time priest and was actively used by the Chinese community . By the early 1900's the Chinese population decreased and a present there is only one original Chinese family remaining in Mendocino. The temple has been in the Hee family for four generations with each generation promising their parents that they would keep and protect the temple. In order to keep that promise the heirs of George Hee donated the temple to a non-profit corporation who is continuing on Kwan Tai's behalf. The Temple is 143 years old and time has taken it's toll on the building. In order for this building to stand for future generations it needs a new foundation, floor, and new interior studs inside the walls. Because of its present condition it cannot be open on a regular basis. Once monies have been raised for restoration the corporation will open the Temple of Kwan Tai on a full-time basis with an education center. Student involvement in this project can take many forms from helping with fund raising, to doing research or perhaps participating in the restoration itself. The education center will offer expanded opportunities for students to participate in sharing this important part of Mendocino's history with others. The research project is not only a historic project but will also forge an understanding of the cultural values of the Chinese and their economic contribution to the building of Mendocino County. As they learn about what happens when people from different cultures come together to share ideas and information they will become students of the global as well as the local village. 3. Student Learning How will the project improve student learning? How will you evaluate or assess what students have learned? What kind of data will you collect? Action Research question? How will you evaluate or assess the community impact? How will students share their project and learning with others at their own site, other sites or within the community? How will students be involved in the evaluation of the project? Will your project have a service learning component? If so please describe. Students in Windows I, the integrated 9th grade Social Science/Language Arts/Technology class, read, write, discuss, and create multimedia projects around the theme "My Name, My Family, My Community". They study the importance of family and community in their own lives and through the lives of fictional characters, Windows I students could apply their classroom learning, their technology expertise, and contribute to their community (another theme is "My Responsibility To My Community") This project fits into the focus and purpose of the class but takes the curriculum and learning to a much higher level, one where students take responsibility for sustaining the heritage of their community. Led by older students who are involved in this project through Independent Study or Community Involvement, and in coordination with the temple board of directors, this project promises to give real collaboration and cross generational work the chance to fit smoothly into the school freshman Windows I program. This project will involve students in real historic research. There are still many important documents which are not generally available, such as the Caspar Lumber company employment figures for Chinese workers. With assistance from the Kelley House museum, students can research and help locate information, becoming familiar with the techniques of historical research in the process. The students could develop multimedia curriculum materials for other student groups as well as tourists taking an active role in applying their skills and knowledge and creating new materials will be a powerful learning experience.The development of curriculum materials for visiting school groups is another way to involve students in significant learning about their town's heritage and give them a vehicle for using their knowledge to educate others. By learning about the role of the Chinese community in the town of Mendocino the connection will be made to ways in which the past affects the present. In assisting the Temple of Kwan Tai corporation with their work, students will be providing a new, fresh energy to the restoration effort. This project will have the students interacting with the older community members which in turn will bridge the communication gap. 4. Support What kind of support would you like from the coordinator/TSA? What kinds of funds will you need for the project? Please supply a general budget. (staff development, release time for planning, transportation, materials..) What other sources might provide additional funding for the project? The coordinator will work closely with Loretta McCoard and Lorraine Hee Chorley, as well as the rest of the board of directors to assure that the project is heading in the appropriate direction. The coordinator, along with the student group, will actively look for funds for the restoration effort. In addition the coordinator will direct Independent Study or Community Involvement students in their historical investigations, assist in the development of the curriculum for the education center and coordinate student participation in temple fund raising efforts. The coordinator will work closely with the Windows I teachers to facilitate logistics for smooth integration into the curriculum. Budget photographic film and processing /materials for presentations $150 student travel for research and presentations $150 printing of brochures for the temple $300 Funds for the restoration will come through additional grants obtained.

KWAN TAI TEMPLE RESTORATION PROJECT

Budget

photographic film and processing /materials for presentations $150 student travel for research and presentations $150 printing of brochures for the temple $300 Funds for the restoration will come through additional grants obtained.

photographic film and processing /materials for presentations $150
student travel for research and presentations $150
printing of brochures for the temple $300

Funds for the restoration will come through additional grants obtained.