Questions & Answers for Teachers
	Q:  Are the historical artifacts too academic for elementary students?   A:  Don adapts his presentations to the developmental level and age of the children. He has taught at the elementary and secondary levels, as well as the university level.
	Q:  What is the best setting for these presentations?   A:  A classroom works best so students can see historical items close up and touch artifacts as old as 260 years.
Q:  Can an auditorium be used?   A:  Don’s testimony (family story) works well in school assemblies of 500 or more students as well as the classroom.
Q:  What is the time length of a presentation?   A:  A presentation works well with 45 minutes to one hour, which leaves times for discussion and questions. 30 minutes is required for his testimony.
Q:  Is there a recommended setup in a classroom?   A:  A semi-circle of chairs around a table is ideal for the historical artifacts. Desks are not required. Children may sit on the floor. A chalkboard can be helpful, too.
Q:  What is a typical presentation consist of?   A:  Artifacts are shown and explained in the context of a specific subject. Questions are asked and often solved through group discussion. Objects are passed around and some students volunteer for short role plays demonstrating some of the objects. There is fun in the process of education.
Q:  How can a teacher prepare for a classroom presentation?   A:  Study of a subject, such as the Civil War, the invention of photography, or the refraction of light is punctuated by the visit and students are enthusiastic about holding a piece of history they recently studied. Don consults with teachers on lesson plans that tie in with the presentations.
Q:  What is the purpose of these presentations?   A:  Unlike most museums, these rare and treasured artifacts come into the classroom and can be held by the students. History is brought alive as they have opportunities to wear an actual ball & chain from 1850, look through a 150 year old stereo viewer, or hold an officer’s dress sword from 1861. The purpose is to bring history alive in the classroom while connecting to the real world.
Q:  Are there physical projects for the students?   A:  Students are shown how to build their own camera, draw an animation sequence, and take digital photos of the role plays.
Q:  Are the objects real or replicas?   A:  All artifacts are authentic except a Civil War colt revolver used to demonstrate how difficult it was to load these weapons. No actual weapons are brought into the classroom of elementary and secondary schools.
Q:  What subjects relate to the presentations?   A:  The cameras , Civil War artifacts, and criminal justice objects relate to Photography, History, Science (Physics & Biology), Math, Chemistry, Psychology, Sociology, Civics, Art, and Literature.  (see applications)
Q:  May parents attend?   A:  School administrators and parents are welcome and encouraged to attend presentations.
Q:  How long has Don made these presentations?   A:  Don has been bringing objects into the classroom for 25 years.
Q:  Do the students keep anything?   A:  A souvenir photo of students in a judge’s robe, police uniform, prisoner uniform, or holding a Civil War sword or 50mm cannonball are given children to take home.
Q:  Are there security requirements?   A:  Don remains with his cases during the school day and teachers assist in keeping visual track of historical items as they are passed around.  Some weapons require security to visit.
Q:  Is there a cost?   A:  Fees are reasonable and are often underwritten by the local business community and supplemented by educational foundations.
Q:  How long can Don remain in the community?   A:  He often goes into multiple classrooms and schools in a community and can remain in a community from 1 to 2 weeks.
Q:  How can I schedule Don Smarto for my school?   A:  Don can be contacted by email at don@smartpresentations.org or by cell phone 469 222-6150. Bookings 6 to 12 months in advance are recommended.
SUMMARY   The purpose of these presentations is to stimulate the imagination of students with a journey into the past without leaving the classroom. Answers to challenging questions are discovered together in an often entertaining atmosphere. The items are not “show & tell” but bring history alive through touch and examination.