A History Lesson with Miss Martha

Setting:  Scene is an old country schoolroom in the 1930’s. Classroom has chairs, teacher’s desk and miscellaneous classroom articles. Hang up pictures of presidents and decorate to resemble a History Class.

Costumes:  Girls have floor length dresses; boys have plaid shirts and pants.

Characters:  Miss Martha, (teacher) Tommy, Samantha, Jerry, Samuel, Laura, Henry, James

Scene: Children laughing and talking as they enter. They are standing loitering outside the school. They are carrying school books and lunch pails. Miss Martha enters classroom from opposite side. She turns on the light, places a stack of graded papers on her desk, busies herself at the desk. After a few moments she picks up a large hand bell and rings for about five seconds. Students enter and take their seats.

Miss Martha:  “Good morning class.”

Students in unison:  “Good morning Miss Martha.”

Miss Martha:  “Let’s begin with our pledge to the American flag. Please stand at attention.” ‘I pledge allegiance to the flag, of the United States of America, and to the Republic for which it stands, one nation, under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.’ “You may be seated.”

“The American flag has been a symbol of freedom and each one of the colors represents a deeper meaning. James can you tell us what the color white represents?”

James:  “The color white represents purity. Jesus is the spotless Lamb of God. He is without sin.”

Miss Martha:  “Thank you, James that was an excellent answer. Now, Jerry can you tell us what the color red represents?”

Jerry:  “The color red reminds us of the blood of Jesus Christ that He shed for us. Only his blood can wash away our sins.”

Miss Martha:  “That was a good answer, Jerry. Henry, can you tell us what the blue represents?”

Henry:  “The color blue stand for loyalty and it is the color of the heavens. The shining stars in the sky remind us of the Christians that will shine forever someday in heaven.”

Miss Martha:  “We will all say Psalm 23.” (Miss Martha picks up the Bible from her desk and opens it and leads the class in the passage of scripture - after the class recites the 23rd Psalm, Miss Martha lays down the Bible on her desk)

“Today we will begin our studies with History. We are going to review all the presidents of the United States, and what we have learned about some of them. I hope you have been studying these facts, since there will be a test tomorrow. Samantha, can you stand before the class and recite all 30 presidents of the United States?”

Samantha:  “I will try Miss Martha.”

            George Washington

            John Adams

            Thomas Jefferson

            James Madison

            James Monroe

            John Quincy Adams

            Andrew Jackson

            Martin Van Buren

            William Henry Harrison

            John Tyler

            James Polk  

            Zachary Taylor

            William Fillmore

            Franklin Pierce

            James Buchanan

            Abraham Lincoln

            Andrew Johnson

            Ulysses S. Grant

            Rutherford B. Hayes

            James A. Garfield

            Chester A. Arthur

            Grover Cleveland

            Benjamin Harrison

            William McKinley

            Theodore Roosevelt

            William Taft

            Woodrow Wilson

            Warren G. Harding

            Calvin Coolidge

            Herbert Hoover

Miss Martha:  “Samantha, that was wonderful. You must have really studied hard. I am proud of you. Tommy, can you tell the class what was the cause of our first president’s death?”

Tommy:  “Yes ma’am, he died with pneumonia.”

Miss Martha:  “There were two vice-presidents during Thomas Jefferson’s presidency. James, can you tell us who they were?”

James:  “Aaron Burr and George Clinton.”

Miss Martha:  “What states were admitted while James Madison was president? (Pause for a moment) . . . Laura, do know the answer to this question?”

Laura:  “Yes ma’am, it was Louisiana and Indiana.”

Miss Martha:  “Samantha, what president was elected without a majority vote in 1824?”

Samantha:  “James Monroe.”

Miss Martha:  “I would like Samuel to tell us the two political parties that split in 1825 under John Quincy Adams.”

 Samuel:  “The Democrat and Republican parties.”

Miss Martha:  “That is correct Samuel. Now, Henry can you tell us what Martin Van Buren established?”

Henry:  “He established a ten hour work day standard.”

Miss Martha:  “What scientific inventions were invented during President James Polk’s presidency? . . . (Pauses) . . . Laura.”

Laura:  “The sewing machine and the rotary printing press.”

Miss Martha:  “Jerry, can you tell us the scientific invention in 1851 that was invented while Millard Fillmore was president?”

Jerry:  “The refrigerating machine.”

Miss Martha:  “Who can name the President who served his term from 1857 to 1861 who had no wife or children? (Several hands raise) James, I believe that is an easy question for you. Can you tell us?”

James:  “Yes ma’am. It was James Buchanan.

Miss Martha:  “Laura, what national holiday did Abraham Lincoln declare?”

Laura:  “Thanksgiving Day.”

(Jerry licks his lips and rubs his stomach)

Miss Martha:  “I’ll ask Samantha to give us the scientific event that took place during Ulysses S. Grant’s term as president.”

Samantha:  “The telephone was invented by Alexander Graham Bell.”

Miss Martha:  “What event happened under James A. Garfield? . . . (Pauses a moment as several hands go up) . . . Tommy, you tell us.”

Tommy:  “The American Red Cross was organized under the leadership of Clara Barton.”

Miss Martha:  “Samantha, what was one of the offices William McKinley held before he became president?”

Samantha:  “He was the governor of Ohio.”

Miss Martha:  “Where was William Taft born?” (Pauses a moment) . . . Jerry. “

Jerry:  “He was born in Cincinnati, Ohio.”

Miss Martha:  Henry, what was invented during the time Warren Harding was president and also tells us who invented it.”

Henry:  Thomas Edison invented the motion picture sound film.

Miss Martha:  “The scientific happening in 1923 under Calvin Coolidge, was what, James?”

James:  “Richard E. Byrd made the first flight over the North Pole.”

Miss Martha:  “I am very proud of you students today. It sounds as if you all are prepared for this history test tomorrow. Each of you must have studied real hard this past week. (Rings bell as she announces) Class is dismissed for lunch and recess. (Miss Martha busies herself at the desk grading homework papers - children noisily leave the classroom, talking and laughing as they go to lunch. Tommy remains in his chair - Tommy after a few moments sneezes)

Miss Martha:  (startled, looks up) “Why. . . Tommy, I didn’t know anyone was still here. Didn’t you want to go to lunch?”

Tommy:  (he mumbles) “No, I am not very hungry.” (Tommy drops his head down slightly)

Miss Martha:  (Miss Martha stands up and walks over to Tommy’s chair and bends down and says gently) “Tommy is anything wrong? Is there something you would like to share with me?”

Tommy:  “No, Miss Martha. “ (Shakes his head back and forth as he speaks)

Miss Martha:  “Tommy, why don’t you tell me about what’s bothering you? Maybe we can pray about it together.

Tommy: (he blurts out) “I can’t come back to school, Miss Martha!” (Starts to sniffle and Miss Martha goes and gets him a handkerchief and hands it to him)

Miss Martha:  “Oh Tommy! Is there any way I can help you with anything?”

Tommy:  “It’s my pa. He’s real sick and can’t do the work on the farm and my ma is doing all the work alone and . . . (he stops talking and covers his face as his body shakes with sobs. Miss Martha places a hand on his shoulder and she breathes a prayer . . . Finally, Tommy looks up and continues) She needs me to help her with the work. I have to leave school. I won’t be back for . . . (pause) . . . I don’t know how long Miss Martha.” (Tommy looks up at her)

Miss Martha:  “Tommy, do you believe in God?”

Tommy:  “Oh yes, Miss Martha. My ma and pa pray to Him every morning and night.”

Miss Martha:  “Tommy, do you believe God hears and answers prayers?”

Tommy:  “Yes, ma’am.”

Miss Martha:  “Then let’s pray together about this, okay? (Tommy nods his head up and down - Miss Martha begins to pray) Dear Father, you know Tommy’s pa is real sick and his ma needs him at home to work. You also know how much Tommy want to come to school. Could you work this out according to your will and for your glory; in Jesus’ name, Amen. (Miss Martha looks up and after a short pause says) Tommy, could you work in the day and help you ma, then come over to my place each evening to keep up with your studies?”

Tommy:  (his mouth falls open as his eyes fill with tears. He takes the back of his hand and wipes them - sniffing, he says) “Oh, Miss Martha, you are wonderful. I love you as my teacher. I thank Jesus for sending you to us.”

Miss Martha:  “Tommy, (softly) I’m glad He did too. Well, young man, (pretends sternness) go eat your lunch right away. You have five minutes until the bell rings.”

Tommy:  “Oh thank you, Miss Martha, thank you!” (Tommy exits. Miss Martha returns to her desk and sits down, bowing her head and resting it on the desk for a few moments. She lifts her head, blows her nose hard and wipes her eyes. She picks up the bell and rings it for the children to come back from lunch. Children enter talking and take their seats. Samuel puts up his hand waving it frantically.)

Miss Martha: “Samuel, you have something urgent to say the way your hand is waving.”

Samuel:  “Miss Martha, may we sing our songs that we are learning with our History lessons? We really like them because it helps us learn our history better and easier. Please?”

Miss Martha:  (reluctantly) “Well . . . (George is waving his hand frantically) Do you have something to say, George?”

George:  “Miss Martha, it helps us learn what justice is all about.”

Miss Martha:  “That is correct, George.” (She answers another hand waving) “Henry, do you have something to say?”

Henry:  “We also learn the kind of man that George Washington was.”

Miss Martha:  (throwing out her arm wide, laughingly exclaims) “I give, let’s begin.” (Students line up in a row along with Miss Martha and begin singing their songs - piano accompanies students as they sing)

All Students:  (As Miss Martha breathlessly sits down at her desk, students hold hands forming a circle around her desk, singing the last song . . . Miss Martha join in)

Miss Martha:  (rings the bell after the last song is sang. Students quickly return to their seats) “Class, do not forget the history test tomorrow. Get a good night’s sleep. You may gather together your lunch pail and go home. School is dismissed. (Pause. . .) See you all in the morning.”

(Students exit as they are talking with each other)

Miss Martha: (sits at her desk for a few moments, then she gathers her papers, books, rising from desk, she tidies the classroom, turns out the light and leaves the classroom)

© Kidz Ministry Jeanne McIntosh Unpublished Copyright May 2002 all rights reserved.