Tagged With: teaching American History
Home again.
I arrived back on my island home from Mount Vernon on Monday – more about that in a minute. I loved being at Mount Vernon, and I have some great ideas of lesson plans I want to do with my kids this year. I don’t think we spend enough time (I know I never have!) … Continue reading
Mount Vernon Day Four
When I first began this journey towards being a history geek four years ago, I knew very little about George Washington. In the first book I read about him and his role in the French and Indian War, I was not impressed. At first glance, he seemed arrogant and aloof, and I didn’t get what … Continue reading
Mount Vernon Day 3
First off, If you’ve read my Day 1 post, I need to correct a mistake – those were not hawks, they were river hawks, also knows as ospreys. They are actually really interesting birds – they are the only bird of prey to live solely on fish! If you ever come to Mount Vernon, you … Continue reading
Mount Vernon Day Two
This has been a long, wonderful day. I got up at 5 am so that I could watch the sunrise over the Potomac from the piazza of the mansion. It wasn’t a spectacular sunrise, but it was enough. This afternoon we took a tour of the farming part of the estate. Washington was an innovator … Continue reading
Mount Vernon, Virginia – Day One
As you know, during the last three summers I spent time studying American History on trips with a group of teachers involved with the Teaching American History grant. I didn’t think that I was going to succumb to my inner geek this summer when we decided that we were going to St. Croix, but then … Continue reading
Day Ten – one last thing before we go home
Our last day – we fly out this afternoon. We couldn’t waste the morning, though, so we trekked off to explore and discover Ford’s Theater and the Peterson House and Museum across the street. Since Lincoln has always been a hero to me, it was a super morning, though sad and speculative. I wonder how … Continue reading
Day Ten: Harper’s Ferry and Antietam
The little town of Harper’s Ferry sits on a sharp point of land which witnesses the confluence of the Potomac and Shenandoah Rivers. It is a beautiful site. The hills all around are tall and lush so that the town is nestled in snuggling and safely. Historically, Harper’s Ferry is rich. George Washington decided to … Continue reading
Day Nine: Colonial Williamsburg
In the past three years I have realized just how much I enjoy places that make history real and alive. I really want to be Miss Frizell and I really do want to have access to a magic school bus. Short of that, I wish that I could take my fifth graders to Colonial Williamsburg … Continue reading
Day Eight – Jamestown
Guess what? Jamestown really is a town! Today we spent our time at two Jamestown sites. The first is the actual site of Jamestown Colony: England sent 118 men to create the first English permanent settlement in the New World in 1607. At first the site looked like a perfect place. It was … Continue reading
Day six Chancellorsville and Spotsylvania
If you read my blog yesterday you know that I explained Appomattox Court House is a town. Today I am going to tell you that Chancellorsville is not a town, it is a house! Go figure. The battle of Chancellorsville is really interesting. The Union was defeated, mostly by itself, and had about 17,000 … Continue reading
