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Thursday, May 28

Roadschool Trip to Cleveland

I LOVE music, especially classic rock.  I even took "The History of Rock" as a college course (Best. Class. Ever.).  So when we showed up to see the NASA Cleveland site (see below), and found the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was right next door, my husband knew that it was going to be a long day!
This museum is six stories tall and very comprehensive.  We started in the 'Roots of Rock & Roll' theater, and learned about how gospel, Motown, rockabilly, blues, western swing, and 40's pop (think Perry Como) fused into this new beast.  Interesting fact : the phrase "rocking and rolling" originally used as a sexual analogy by the African community.
 
The boys had a chance to listen to examples from the root origins (eg, blues, swing) and then to see what bands were the result of mixing certain roots.  Below, they are researching the Beatles and Rolling Stones.  It counts as music theory class, right?
We headed into the 1950s with Elvis Presley...easily the most crowded exhibit in the museum.  The boys had a chance to participate in an on-air radio show for the SiriusXM Classic Vinyl station!
 
We learned about several types of guitars, drums, and pianos that gave various bands their unique 'sound,' including the twelve-string guitar used by Roger McGuinn to give The Byrds that "twangy, jingle-jangle."
Further on in, we saw the 1960s and 1970s broken down into it's 'styles,' including the British Invasion, Punk Rock, Garage Bands, Psychadelic Rock, etc.  The museum has great visuals showing  how the roots of rock continued to intertwine to create each of these genres. 
The highlight of my tour was getting to see the Allman Brothers piano and Janis' Porshe, and my husband made sure to rag me about it for the rest of the visit!
Of course, then we went up one level and discovered one of his favorites, Pink Floyd, in a larger-than-life-sized (and somewhat disturbing) rendition of The Wall.  If you've never gone psychedelic, try putting on the soundtrack to The Wall while watching the Wizard of Oz .  Remember to start them at exactly the same time...


On the very top floor is one, loud, continuous rock concert.  You can't go through all of that history and not want to just rock out, and the museum is happy to comply with that need.  We happened to show up during Woodstock, but you might also see Lollapalooza or a FarmAid show.  The first cd my dad ever bought me was the Woodstock soundtrack , and I was happy to share the show with my boys (but only the music portion).
We ended the day by taking the kids to (where else?) Hard Rock CafĂ© for dinner and a show.  Rock on, y'all.

Rock & Roll History Resources



Dive back into time to discover rock & roll’s roots and see how the music developed along the way. These lessons begin with the various origins, discuss how they intertwined, and proceed through the new millennium. Writing assignments, listening exercises, and videos are included to enhance the learning experience!

  • Introduction
  • Origins
  • Pre-Natal Period
  • Birth of Rock & Roll
  • The Sixties
  • The Seventies
  • The Eighties
  • The Nineties
  • A New Millennium



nullMusic Throughout History is just one of the MANY music courses offered over at SchoolhouseTeachers.  Did you know that you can find courses for elementary through high school, including instrument-specific instruction, such as piano, guitar, and violin?!

But BEFORE I could go rockin' & rollin'.......I had to be a good mommy first!!
En route to New York, we detoured by Cleveland.  As members of the NASA Passport Program, we have a goal of visiting all eleven sites across the country.  Great Lakes Science Center, in Cleveland, Ohio, had the added benefit of being free for us, as ASTC Passport members.  (If you haven't looked into the ASTC program, I suggest checking it out.  Your family can visit 350+ museums for free with an annual pass.)

Great Lakes Science Center happened to have a Lego exhibit as their special feature, which made both boys very happy!  Before learning about space, we took a world adventure with Lego models.  The exhibit was impressive, with creations that addressed world landmarks, historical events, and even great works of art.  There was also a hands-on challenge to build a load-bearing form of transportation that would carry various objects on a point-to-point course. 
  
 After exhausting the Lego exhibit, we headed into the Space Center.  Admittedly, we probably should have visited the smaller centers before hitting the big ones in Cape Canaveral and Houston because the kids were less interested in the minutiae than the big rockets.  They enjoyed learning about the Apollo capsule, and tried their hands at a moon landing.
 
We learned how to fly an airplane with various forces acting upon it, about wind tunnels and jet propulsion, and about how the air is filtered for astronauts aboard the International Space Station.
 
We explored some of the new inventions arising from the space program, and learned how to communicate via laser beams and satellites.

Directly in front of the science center is Lake Erie, which makes for a fabulous picnic area!  Outside, we learned about a historical ship, William Mather, and it's uses on the lake.  We also learned about different types of fish that eat the scuzzy stuff (eg, algae) off the boat.  My eldest wants to research this more later, and see if there is a Wild Kratts episode about these fish.  These boys and their Wild Kratts...!
 

Roadschool Field Trip to Valley Forge

Today we visited another memorable setting of the Revolutionary War, Valley Forge, the site of the Continental Army's camp over the winter of 1777–1778.  This is where George Washington proved that he pulled no punches as a leader.

We stopped off at the visitor's center for a short movie and introductory lesson to the historical significance of Valley Forge.  One child is into drama, the other into firearms...and they always gravitate to those exhibits first.

After spending an hour at the visitor's center, we got in the car for the driving tour.  There is a narrated bus tour that you can take, but we opted to go the free route.  Along the route, you can park and explore the encampment sites.  Our first stop was the enlisted area, where soldiers slept twelve to a cabin.  Those beds look mighty uncomfortable!  Some of the soldiers took a moment to discuss camp life with the visitors.
Further along the trail, we came to General Washington's headquarters.  This is the original home of the Washington family, and we were told that this is the original banister.  The boys were excited to run their hands along something that George Washington (and millions of others) had touched.  But mom just felt like we needed to wash our hands!
In the home, docents explained the officer's role in camp life, and pointed out the general's office and guest sleeping quarters.  Officers often used their own field cots for guest beds.
After completing the tour, the boys were sworn in as Junior Park Rangers for the National Park Service.  Most of the National Parks have this program, where children can earn badges and patches for learning about the history and science at each park.


Valley Forge unit:


Battle of Yorktown unit:
This SchoolhouseTeachers American Revolution course introduces elementary and middle school students to the key battles and players of the Revolutionary War and incorporates history, geography, reading, critical thinking and analysis, and cursive writing throughout.

From the discovery of the New World to the end of the American Revolution, let Dave Stotts take your family on a Drive Thru History. Join him as he takes you to the places where America was born, shares facts about history you have never heard, and has a great deal of fun along the way. Plus, enjoy a special set of worksheets only available here!  Find out more about Drive Thru History...

Wednesday, May 27

Roadschool Field Trip to Williamsburg

Thanks to family members being stationed in the Hampton Roads area, we had the great fortune of having a few weeks to roll around eastern Virginia!  For two days, we visited the township of Williamsburg, in the Virginia colony.  Two brothers, one on each side of this battle, were determined to find truth and understanding in this colonial battle...
This young patriot took his life into his own hands as he prepared to walk straight into the Governor's Mansion!  He was very determined to see where his tax dollars were being used...
The Governor's Mansion was immense and exquisitely furnished for a colony dwelling.  It was well-armed with over five hundred weapons in the foyer alone!
We took some time for a spot of afternoon tea, a break from the walking, and a chance to meet with some of the community leaders.  The gingerbread tea cakes were quite tasty!  Then it was up to the community's magazine....learning about all of the weapons, munitions, and accessories to be used by the local militia.  They were ready to protect and defend.
When it was discovered that the colonists' munitions and gunpowder had been seized by the governor, rioting began in the streets. There was a revolution underway!
The Patriots decided to storm the mansion and demand return of community property.  On this particular occasion, a young patriot stepped up to lead the way!
The Governor's representatives came out to squelch the revolution, with sharp shooters on the mansion roof.  We all know, of course, how that turned out...
The youngest took a LOT of flack for being dressed as one of the Royal Guard, rather than a Patriot, but he enjoyed the attention!

We spent over an hour talking with the gardener and learned about the secret behind the green glass...

The boys had several questions about mechanics in the armory........
......and spent ages in the blacksmith shop!


As we wandered around, marveling at the walks and spires, it was easy to slip back into time.
The open air market was in full bloom, as it was a beautiful autumn day!

Field Trip Resources

If you've not had the chance to visit Williamsburg, and you find yourself in the area, we highly suggest making time for the stop!  True, the tickets can be pricey, but there are many ways to obtain a discount...and it's totally worth it!

Come back next week to visit Jamestown & Yorktown!

This SchoolhouseTeachers American Revolution course introduces elementary and middle school students to the key battles and players of the Revolutionary War and incorporates history, geography, reading, critical thinking and analysis, and cursive writing throughout.

From the discovery of the New World to the end of the American Revolution, let Dave Stotts take your family on a Drive Thru History. Join him as he takes you to the places where America was born, shares facts about history you have never heard, and has a great deal of fun along the way. Plus, enjoy a special set of worksheets only available here!  Find out more about Drive Thru History...