When I hit middle school, I was encouraged to compete in our local National History Day competition. I was hooked from that very first event: I loved the research, the preparation, the work to analyze historical events and to share their importance, and, yes, the competition. That’s why I was so very excited when I… Continue reading Entering a National History Day Competition
Tag: history
Field Work Friday – Berry Hill Resort
It’s probably the last place you’d expect to find a bunch of kids – but the Berry Hill Resort and Conference Center is exactly where we went. Berry Hill was part of a land grant from the British Crown decades before the American Revolution. The estate was protected from destruction during wartime by the owner’s… Continue reading Field Work Friday – Berry Hill Resort
A Roarin’ ’20s Book Club: “Isabel Feeney, Star Reporter”
Some books just scream out for a special event, and that’s exactly what happened when I read Isabel Feeney, Star Reporter. I knew it would make a fantastic book club pick – not only because it offers myriads of possibilities for a special event, but because Fantaskey did an amazing job writing a book that… Continue reading A Roarin’ ’20s Book Club: “Isabel Feeney, Star Reporter”
Studying the Wild West: Building a Pioneer Wagon
We’ve been studying Western expansion for a few months now, and the kids were fascinated by the Oregon Trail. I mean, whole families traveling thousands of miles in a covered wagon – how could you not want to know exactly how that worked? Because of that fascination, we decided to build our own pioneer wagon.… Continue reading Studying the Wild West: Building a Pioneer Wagon
Book Clubbing in the Wild West: Climbing Mountains
I love being able to make hands-on plans for book club. I love that we’re not only about books and discussion but about really getting into the books with all of our senses. That’s why I was so excited for the kids to read Missing on Superstition Mountain by Elise Broach this month, and just… Continue reading Book Clubbing in the Wild West: Climbing Mountains
Studying the Wild West: Going on a Trail Ride
We’re studying the Wild West this semester, and it’s impossible to do so without noting the importance of the horse to this expansion. From pioneers moving west to the Pony Express, stagecoaches, and cowboys, horses played a huge role in it all. With that in mind, I scheduled a horse lesson and trail ride so… Continue reading Studying the Wild West: Going on a Trail Ride
Book Clubbing on the Orphan Train: “A Family Apart”
This month’s girls’ book club selection was one I’ve had for years: about twenty years, in fact. We read A Family Apart by Joan Lowry Nixon, the first in the Orphan Train Adventure series. The story opens in New York City with an Irish family whose father has died. Ma is trying hard to keep everyone… Continue reading Book Clubbing on the Orphan Train: “A Family Apart”
Rolling Sculptures: Art Deco @ the NC Museum of Art
My Little Man adores cars, so when I heard that the North Carolina Museum of Art was hosting a new exhibit of rolling sculptures featuring 14 art deco cars from the 1930s and 1940s, I knew we had to go. The exhibit opened on a Saturday morning, and we headed to the museum early to… Continue reading Rolling Sculptures: Art Deco @ the NC Museum of Art
Writing History at Epic Patriot Camp
Last week my kids experienced the most amazing camp ever. It was Epic Patriot Camp, sponsored by the National Park Service, held at the Abingdon Muster Grounds, and taught, in part, by the wonderful author Jenny L. Cote. For six hours each day, the lived the Revolutionary Battle of King’s Mountain. Over the course of… Continue reading Writing History at Epic Patriot Camp
Touring the National Civil War Museum
Did you know that there’s a National Civil War Museum? I didn’t – or that it was located in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, oddly enough – at least, I didn’t until my grandmother told me. She’s always pointing us toward fantastic field trip sites, and so we knew this would be a great one. I was impressed… Continue reading Touring the National Civil War Museum
