Yesterday I accompanied the 4th graders to
Jamestown. Yes, I had to miss the Preschoolers Ch*ck E. Ch**se field trip to do this...sorry PK Friends! Living in VA, we are very lucky to be able to go on day trips to several historical places. It really helps the students get a better grasp on what they are learning in social studies, especially before they take their SOL tests in two weeks! For those of us not smarter than a 4th grader (I had to review before I went!) Jamestown is considered the first
permanent English settlement. Plus, 2007 is the
400th anniversary of the settlement of Jamestown. Even
Queen Elizabeth II will be coming to town for the event in a few weeks. Thought I'd post a few pictures of our day. Luckily we were able to wander inside the museum part during the big thunderstorm after lunch. That meant we only had the humidity, lots of gnats and of course, tired 4th graders to contend with the rest of the afternoon! =)
The beautiful visitor's center where you can buy any trinket imaginable stamped with
Jamestown 1607. Plus a lot of candy for the bus ride home.
We didn't get to go onboard the Discovery, Susan Constant or Godspeed as they are currently re-enacting the Cape Henry landing this week. Those ships are tiny. The journey was no C*rniv*l Cruise!
Example of a Powhatan longhouse. Amazing how they used every single part of a deer to survive. A deer = super W*lm*rt.
Part of my group outside the church at the original settlement site.
Inside the church where they buried important people under the floor. Now *that* was interesting to my kids!
Amazing how anyone could wear this without air conditioning! I don't think I would have survived back then! Plus, the bum roll would have been super attractive on me. =)
What a gorgeous view.
Glassmaking. With so much sand the settlers thought they had a money maker. The English didn't like the green tinted glass. The gift store's blue glass is kinda pretty though!
Instead, the real gold was tobacco. Here is a fine pic of the cash crop (oooh, test word!!)
Our student's *love"
Pocahontas from Kindergarten on up. The shock on their faces when they realize she's dead... Really they are crushed.
This was taken after pulling my student off the fake reconstruction of the tavern.
The kids were fascinated by the swamp. Not because they could "see" why the capital was eventually moved to
Williamsburg, but because of the many turtles.
Hopefully they all got something out of the trip other than being grossed out by the Indian skins and their minimal clothing. I know the firing of the musket was a highlight! I'm sure they all slept well when they got home. I know I did!!
As far as other news...we're all awaiting the latest arrival of referrals, hopefully before the Chinese go on May holiday. Rumor has it the referral days will be another very small batch. Still holding out that Ellie will be here Summer 2008. Guess I'll delay taking that bathroom wallpaper down for another few months! What's the rush?! =)
Last weekend we went to the zoo and what was a bigger thrill than the animals? The fountains. Soak yourself silly fountains. Gotta love the sopping wet hugs after though!
Me & K.
