Gladiators, Gods, Education, Weddings, Chariot Races, Fashion, Soldiers, ... these were just some of topics explored in the eighteen scenes of this year's Roman Forum. The students used their knowledge (and their wit) to put together video, conversation and displays to further our knowledge of the Roman Way. During intermission we were treated to a Roman Feast complete with peacock eggs and stuffed doormice - yum, yum!
Highlighting the fashionable Roman gentleman on the left, E explains how a senator would dress.
Lighthouses seem so romantic. D says, "It'd be so fun to live here with two other families. We'd have so much fun!" And yet, the little museum accompanying the lighthouse is full of stories of the hardships of living remotely on the island with the job of keeping the light burning - even with the support of living three families to the lightkeeper house. But today, the lighthouse isn't lonely; it's another adventure.
C said we could stretch her, but A- just couldn't reach the 44" she needed to be to climb to the top of the light house. So she and I stayed down while the others ran to the top.
***Before ascending the 167 stairs
***A- waves to those at the top.
Great views. Great photo opportunity. Great cell phone service.
As tradition would have it, after our picnic, we enjoyed some ice cream from the Lighthouse Gift Shop.
"O.K., we can sit right here all day." M stated matter-of-factly as he sat down on the bench to watch the blacksmith fashion a hook from a piece of iron. It was the first place that we visited at the Atlanta History Center on home school day, and it was the last place we visited as well. In between we learned all about the Pre-Civil War days of Abraham Lincoln. Young Abe joined us on the front porch of the log cabin to reminisce about his childhood and events that led up to his stump speeches on the campaign trail. Hosts at the Tullie Smith home warmly welcomed us and helped the kids see how the life of a child was different in 1840. And we learned that Abraham Lincoln wanted to be a blacksmith when he was a child.
The actual "With Malice Toward None" exhibit was a bit over their heads
but they did enjoy the series of large photos showing Abraham Lincoln aging and the display of items that was in his pocket
when he was shot.
When I asked A- about her favorite part of the day. It was eating lunch from her new Tinkerbell lunch box. It really didn't matter to her where we were but just that she is big enough now to carry her own lunch. Another successful Day of Adventure!
Destination: Patrick Henry College to pick E up from a week at Strategic Intelligence Teen Camp and then onward to Falls Church with a side trip to Mount Vernon.
Audio Book: Little Britches (continued)
E warned me that she probably wouldn't be too talkative for a few days since she had spent the last six days doing a lot of thinking on little sleep. Even still she did a good job telling us the high points of camp during lunch before we headed to friends for the weekend.
***She and her friend (who had played two soccer games already that day!) were able to muster enough energy to make this incredibly yummy French Silk Chocolate Pie.
While in DC we had to take the opportunity to see at least one sight. This time it was President George Washington's home, Mount Vernon. Us spoiled homeschoolers did not take much liking to hanging out in the 90 degree heat in long lines of other sightseers. But even still, Bullet Proof George Washington, is too facsinating of a man to not find something to engage our minds.
***On a stroll with President Washington and family.
***Churning butter on the family farm.
***Being two legged creatures, chickens were not considered "gentlemanly" livestock, so slaves were able to keep them at their homes. Mr. Washington paid them for their eggs and sometimes meat.
Though the grounds were impressive, had we know the new education center was full of so much hands on exhibits, we probably would have skipped the lines and played in the museum where it was cool. But we endured the heat, walked the grounds then rushed through the museum in less than an hour. This does give us a reason to go back...
#4 And to top it off make them sit from 8:30 - 3:30 for instruction in writing, writing, writing.
***
Tortured they may have been, but there were glimpses of enjoyment and a broadening of our world.
***
J didn't mind eating tortillas hot off the machines (If it's chippy snacks you are craving, this is the place to go. We left with arms full of samples.)
The Civil Rights Museum is an eye opening and sober place to gain perspective on "the
struggle of African-American citizens in Birmingham to become full
participants in the city's government and business community." Time from the Civil War to the present is explored with descriptive and interactive exhibits.
***Across the street is 16th Street Baptist Church where a bombing in the fall of 1963 led to the death of four young girls. The story of the prosecution of the men involved I read in disbelief. Justice was too long in coming.
After touring a small bit of the city we retired to a Hampton Inn on the outskirts, thankful for Hilton Honors Points. Thankful for soft beds. Thankful for our freedom. And thankful for our snacks.
As for the day of writing, well... Mr. Pudewa met us at the door and asked E&J if they were excited. "Sure," said J a bit hesitantly. "Liar," Mr. Pudewa said with a smile. We proceeded from there to all write (even me) SAT essays, listen to instruction and get a start on a college essay - all the while being entertained by Mr. Pudewa's wit and teaching style.
