I know you haven’t read enough about our 14 day excursion in Philly with the dozen plus blogs we’ve written, so I thought I would sum it all up for you.  I’ll make it easy by breaking it down by day and I’ll only hit the highlights.

Sunday, June 1 Met at CSU at 6 am and 3 hours later we arrived at DIA

                           Uneventful flight to Philly, where we caught the bus to U of Penn

                            Checked in to unimpressive dorm room and unpacked.  Had dinner at

                            the highly promoted Abner’s Cheesesteaks.

Monday, June 2^nd   Hit the ground running with a whirlwind tour of Independence Hall,

                                 Betsy Ross House, Franklin Court, Christ Church, Liberty Bell, and

                                 the surrounding area from a firecracker of a guide named Pat

                                 Stallone (no relation to Rocky).

                                Walked 100 blocks to Reading Terminal Market where we found

                                 most things closed.

                                Bought a huge Reuben from very nice gentlemen who tried to be a

                                teacher and went back to the restaurant business.  Said he had the

                                utmost respect for all teachers.

Tuesday, June 3^rd   Off to Valley Forge.  Had an introduction from the Park Ranger in

                                  an icebox.  Then took a bus tour around the park.  We were treated

                                  to a musket firing by a very nice looking ranger dressed up like a                

                                  soldier.  Finished the tour off with the presentation of Revolutionary

                                  artifacts. 

                                  Dinner at the New Deck Tavern built in 1933 with a rude waiter.

Wednesday, June 4^th Princeton was very cool, but wet.  I didn’t bring an umbrella. 

                                    Had a presentation by John Mills at the Princeton Battlefield that

                                    covered EVERY last detail while we were standing.  Toured the

                                   Clarke House.

                                    Had lunch at Conte’s pizza.  I honestly believe that food we love

                                    has a personal connection to our childhood or some special event.

                                   Toured Princeton and the surrounding area including the

                                   Bainbridge House and Einstein’s home. 

                                    Had a couple hours to do some shopping.  I didn’t waste a minute.

                                    Had dinner at The Soup Man.  That’s the same guy as the Soup

                                    Nazi from Seinfeld.  I had Lobster Bisque and it rocked.

Thursday, June 5^th   Arrived at the Constitution Center about 8:30 am

                                    Listened to author and professor Carol Berkin.  She was a very

                                    cool lady with similar personal truths.  Clinton supporter and

                                    feminist.  Gave Matt and Jonathan a run for their money.  I loved

                                    it.  Professors don’t have qualms about setting their underlings

                                   straight about how things are and were, but there is a whole special

                                  dance that is performed when professors debate one another.

                                   Had a guided tour through the center.

                                  Saw theatrical performance of Freedom Rising.

                                  Finished the day with Eli and a lesson we could implement in our

                                  class.

                                  Ran over to Ben Franklin’s post office so I could send all the family

                                  a post card with the official hand stamp of Franklin.

                                  Had dinner at Chilis.  How sad that I am visiting a major

                                  metropolitan city and I am forced to eat dinner at Chilis to get a

                                 somewhat acceptable meal.  The food in Philly is not what I   

                                 expected.  The one decent meal I did have cost me $50 and I didn’t

                                 even drink.

Friday, June 6^th        Spent the day at the Franklin Institute – literally!

                                    Introduction by Ferris Beuller’s science teacher.

                                    We were allowed to explore a little and then we had a real treat up

                                     in the board room.  We were shown and actually got to hold

                                     several of Franklin’s personal belongings. 

                                     Finished the day by exploring the rest of the institute including the

                                     Heart, electricity, a full size train and we culminated with the

                                     Pirate exhibit.  We closed down the place. 

                                     Nothing to memorable for dinner, but I did remember to call my

                                     sister-in-law and wish her a happy birthday.  I sent her a card

                                    earlier in the week. 

Saturday, June 7th   Washington’s Crossing was a beautiful place.  We saw some

                                    original buildings and were treated to another dose of rudeness by

                                    our guide.  I did learn about the bar and grill. 

                                    Left for Monmouth Battlefield of which I had never heard of.  It

                                   was hot.  I mean really hot.  We took a tour of the area by bus but

                                   had to get out to see the actual sites in tick infested grass.  Not one

                                   of my favorite days.

                                   Back to The New Deck Tavern for dinner with a much better

                                   waiter.

Sunday, June 8^th       I have officially made it a week.  A group of us went to church

                                   service at Christ Church at 11am.  It was a nice service, but once

                                   again, it was hot.  We had a lovely lunch at the greasy spoon across

                                   the street and set out for the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  Arrived

                                   an hour late, but still managed to get in most of the tour and spent

                                   the rest of the afternoon exploring.

                                   The Triple Crown of Racing was going on outside so I had to check

                                   that out and get the famous picture of Rocky.

Monday, June 9^th     This is the day I was looking forward to all week.  We set off to

                                   Amish country via the scenic route. 

                                   Spent the morning and lunch at the Kitchen Kettle Village that was

                                  suppose to carry Amish goods.  I found Made in China on most

                                  things.  Still spent some serious cash.

                                   Picked up Ada at the Mennonite center after we watched a couple

                                  of films.  Took a beautiful tour of the country and stopped at several

                                  Amish homes to make purchases.

                                   Finished off with dinner at an Katie and Abner Allgyer’s home.  It

                                   was a very nice meal, but that stinkin’ heat killed me.  The

                                   sang for us after dinner.  This is was my favorite day.

Tuesday, June 10^th     I am starting to lose the energy and drive.  My patience is worn

                                     thin and I people are on my nerves.  I am not the only one.

                                    We’re walking down to the American Philosphical Society at 9 am

                                     and sweat is dripping off of me.                 

                                     We were treated to some nice artifacts by a pompous library

                                     director and then a very friendly guide across the street gave us a

                                     little background about the group. 

                                    After lunch, we met at the Atwater Kent Museum for a little talk

                                    on abolition.  Had some time to explore the upstairs museum and

                                    we were let loose.

                                    Got back to the Redding Market but it wasn’t much better than the

                                    first time and we finished dinner at the Hard Rock.  I just drank

                                    since I had some not so fresh seafood at the market.

Wednesday. June 11^th More lectures.  Two to be exact.  I loved Matt’s saying about

                                       drinking our of fire hydrant, but that is seriously what it’s

                                       beginning to feel like.  All the sights are blending and the

                                      speakers words are slurring. 

                                      Got the afternoon off to explore.  I saw Second Bank, Franklin’s

                                      Underground Museum, Elfred’s Alley and then Sherri and I broke

                                      off.  We hopped on the ferry for a scenic view of Philly and

                                     relaxed with dinner at City Tavern.  That’s where I dropped the ½

                                     C note. 

                                      Finished the day with a meeting at the Quaker Meeting House.  I

                                     got in a little nap. 

Thursday, June 12^th We are off to Winterthur.  I had no idea what it was or why we

                                    were going but I just do as I am told at this point. 

                                    It happens to be one of the DuPont mansions.  It was nice.  We

                                    didn’t see that much, but were treated to a nice lunch in their

                                    cafeteria and a tour of the garden.  The children’s Enchanted Forest

                                    was exceptional.

Friday, June 13^th One more day…..and it’s Gettysburg.  I didn’t really know what to

                              expect there since we had since our fair share of battlefields.  This one

                              was quite a treat.

                              Finally found our way to Gabor Boritt’s home.  The author of The

                             Gettysburg Gospel.  He was quite a character.  Spoke to us for about a

                               half an hour.

                              Grabbed our tour guide at Gettysburg and spent most of the time on

                               the bus touring around the battlefield of 1,300 monuments.  I was

                               blown away by the shear number.  The information came flying

                               record speed.  The bus driver kept turning off the bus and cooking our

                               skin.  I think he was trying to make it an authentic experience.

                               Finished the day at the brand new Visitor Center.  They had some

                              very moving films and exhibits.

                               Had The Bomb for dinner as a special treat for making it through two

                               weeks of historical bliss. 

Saturday, June 14^th I have decided to take the earlier flight home on standby.  It’s a

                                   Travel day and although I have enjoyed myself and learned more

                                   than I can believe, I am really ready to go home.

     The real learning doesn’t happen in the classroom, it happens when you walk down the street, sit on a bus, take a trip or have a meal.  Learning involves so much more than our public education system can cover.  Learning is all about people.  It’s about friendships, relationships and the lack there of.  You must learn how to interact, communicate and function in a society that has an ever-changing rule book.  It is crucial that you memorize every rule, and are aware when that rules have changed, or the consequences can be devastating.

     How is this trip going to affect my student learning?  It will affect it in the most fundamental way – the way in which I teach.  I am going to do everything possible to be the type of educator that I would want to have.  I am going to listen more.  I am going to slow down.  I am going to watch how I say things, and not be so quick to assume.  I will praise more and criticize less.

     Over the last 14 days, I can see how the tribal rules we learn as children can penetrate our adult lives.  We expect our students to treat each other with respect and kindness, but all too often I see that as role models, we are unable to do as we ask.  We rant at the fact of how cruel children are to each other and turn around and say the most hurtful things about one another.  We pick apart our associates and dissect every personality quirk.  We want our students to work together in groups, but separate ourselves into cliques on the first day.  We lament at the one student who has been ostracized by the class, yet make no attempt to welcome and include new adults.  As teachers, we watch helplessly as the class separates into groups:  popular, nerd, jock, brain, teacher’s pet, and the undesirables.  Our groups just have different names:  partiers, serious, rural, Pueblo West, older, younger and the loners.  We abhor gossip!  Yet, some of us spend a considerable about of time talking about the comings and goings of our fellow teachers.  We believe that we know our classroom and all that happens in it, but all too often things are done outside of our sight and hearing.

Will I fail at this lofty goal I have set for myself as an educator?  Most assuredly!  I succeed and fail constantly.  I am always learning, and I learned so much more than just American history.       

Gettysburg was again the “the turning point” of the war with the North v South. South wanted their independence and the North wanted to keep the Union together. 10,000 soldiers lost their lives at Gettysburg and one local named Jennie Wade while baking bread.  The town didn’t suffer; but they did after during the weeks that followed.  20,000 injured soldiers were left behind to be cared for by the townspeople.  General George Mead was in charge for the three days.  Mead lost 24,000 soldiers in those three days.  It was the bloodiest days in American history.  There is a monument of Mead on his horse with all four legs down so he was not injured while in service.  If there had been legs down, it would mean that he had been injured.  Two legs down indicate that the soldier was killed in service.

Why at Gettysburg?  South under Lee came from the north with 73,000 and the North under Mead came from the South with 93,000 soldiers.  Soldiers enlisted for 3 months to a year and many were coming to the end of their obligation.  The organization of the Army went from Companies to Regiments to Brigade to Divisions to Corp then Army. Regiments formed from one area of one state The Mason Dixon Line is 10 miles south of here and they chose Gettysburg to get supplies for Lee’s army and disrupt the North.  The entire battle lasted only 3 days with over 50,000 casualties.  The devastation was immense.  The townspeople were left to bury the dead and care for the wounded.  Land was decimated and the smell was foul.  Many left the area for good.

Wells House is where Lincoln ate, slept and wrote the second part of the Gettysburg Address for the dedication in 1863.  It was purchased by the State Park service four years ago and is undergoing restoration.  Everything is part of the National Park Service purchased 70 years ago except the town and the college.  The Park Service is trying to keep everything as it was, or returning it to its former condition.  Buildings still show the signs of the battle with fragments becoming part of their siding.  1,300 monuments on the battlefield and all were put here in the 1^st 50 years after the battle, except for the flame one.  Most were put up between 15-30 years after the battle.  Regiment men put up the monuments where they wanted and said what they wanted on them.  One of the monuments depicts 70 year old John Burns who fought along with the soldiers and was wounded three times. 

 Monuments line the road on both sides.

  McPherson barn is where the battle began with a chance meeting of a few thousand men.  Noone intended to start a battle there and unfortunately it didn’t end there.   

It isn’t that I didn’t enjoy the day at Winterthur, it’s just that I think I could have enjoyed more. I enjoyed the Children’s Enchanted Forest. 

I overheard a couple of children questioning one another as to how Howard got into the bird nest.  I told them that he flew.  They stopped and looked at me and for a second I think they thought about it.  I smiled and they ran off to find the real way.   

I was disappointed in the fact that we only saw 1 ½ stories of the 9 story house.  It was nice, but it wasn’t amazing.  I never did get to see the film they all talked about.  The teacher lessons we participated in were fun and I think my students would enjoy them, but they weren’t directly related to Winterthur.    

The one crucial way in which it will affect my student’s learning is that I realized the need for an introduction.  Too many times we assume that our students have the background knowledge necessary to proceed into a new lesson and be successful.  As an educator, you can never assume anything about your students.  You need to write the objective on the board and clearly introduce the lesson so they know what the expectations are.  This was not done for us at Winterthur.  We were presented with all types of new information in the library with no introduction.  As an adult, we feel comfortable expressing our desire for an introduction while making our confusion apparent.  Students don’t have that luxury.  They are frequently afraid to question a teacher for fear of getting in trouble or looking stupid in front of their classmates. When we talked to the education director about the lack of an introduction, she excused it with the fact that we were behind in time and figured we would get it eventually.  How many times do we do that as educators?  “Oh, I only have 20 minutes so I’ll just skip this part.”  All in all, I guess I learned a lot.

.

I am 100% smarter about early American history now then before I went on this trip.  I have thoroughly enjoyed the speakers and tours.  I am sure that my students are going to hear the “When I was in Philly….” example at least every other  day.  Unfortunately, I think I have hit maximum capacity.   I don’t think there is an empty space in my brain that could hold one more tidbit of historical information. 

Regardless of that fact, I will always remember walking down Elfred’s Alley and thinking of how much it has changed, yet how little it really has.  I’ll never forget the memorial to the Irish I saw at Penn’s Landing and what a vivid story it told without words. 

I can still hear the reenacters music as they marked the kids off to war with their patriotic parade.  I want to give my students that experience.  I am going to look into reenacters that I can get to come to the school.

I can still feel my feet ache after Sherri drug me up and down and around Philadelphia until I begged Matt to save me and take me home.

All in all, I have had the time of my life.  Thanks Matt, Scott, and Jonathan.  Thanks Philly.  Thanks to all the cool teachers I got to know.  Thanks to the Feds…without you, none of this would have happened.

One and only one comment about the weather…WTH! 

Okay, now we arrived at the APS (American Philosophical Society) at 9:00 am and I was already questioning the reason for a shower this morning.  Ursula was delightful in the 2nd tour.  She gave us a humorous account of the history of the APS. 

Sometimes I think historians are a tad too serious.  Lighten up – have fun.  History is the best soap opera around.  You couldn’t make up some of this stuff if you tried.  I think that’s the key.  Get kids sucked into history like Days of our Lives!  I have really been giving this a lot of thought.  I can’t tell you how jazzed I get when my kids are engaged.  I would jump through hoops and set my hair on fire if I could guarantee 100% on task.  The problem is that I am dealing with 25 very distinct personalities and what gets one reved up doesn’t do it for the next.  I am enthusiastic about teaching history.  I am lucky in the fact that I love our adopted curriculum – History Alive.  It’s the best history lessons I have seen yet and to top that, my students like it. 

Today, after visting the Atwater Kent Museum, I will be able to add so much to their lessons on slavery by discussing the role of abololitionists.  Without these people, both black and white, the horrendous trade would have likely continued for many more years.  The picture of those shackles and the Freedom document should illustrate the point perfectly. 

I have been waiting all week for this day.  I was so excited to get up this morning in anticipation of what I was about to learn, see and experience.  This is what I want to instill in my students.  I want to get them excited to learn.  What is it about today that I was so excited about?  What can I pinpoint throughout the experience and say that was the reason I was so excited?  Well, I knew I was going to get to go shopping and that always gets my juices flowing  (note to self…would my students like to shop?)  Next, I knew I was going to meet an actual person from the Amish faith.  I know how private they are, so I recognize what a priveledge this is (note self… could a guest speaker have the same effect?)  I don’t think there is another Ada Fisher, but it is important to have someone that knows of what they speak.

 Last, the meal.  I can’t verbalize how this effected me.  I expected commercial.  I was so wrong and I know that is an experience I will never ever forget.  The food (which is always a highlight) took a backseat to the children, the singing, the home.  It really makes me pretty emotional.  The whole homesick for my own children of 10 and 6 could play a huge role, but it was very moving.  I don’t have to note the fact that my students love food…any and all- at any time. 

So, what can I take from this?  I want to get my students excited to learn.  I can do this by making learning exciting.  I can do that by appealing to what interests them.  I know they would like to shop and eat and they are always eager to meet someone new and interesting.  Pull it together by having them create an Amish meal.  Google Amish recipes.  Write out a shopping list of necessary ingrediants and what can they grow and what needs to be purchased.  If they need something, where do they get it and in what means of transportation could they get there (introduce the horse and buggy). 

Once we decide on receipe and items, how are we going to cook the meal?  Remember – no electricity. 

Now knowing so much more about the Amish, I have one more piece to place into my lessons on diversity. 

Oh, I needed that morning break.  A group of us met Matt at 10:30 for church.  We got off the subway right at the church and walked in a couple minutes before the service started.  Perfect timing.  There was plenty of room, but that could be because there is not air conditioning.  I bet they would have a larger congregation if they took care of that little problem.  Well, I sat in front of the fan.  I’d rather have the windblown look then sit there and sweat through the entire service.  It was a nice service and we were on our way right at noon.  We decided to grab a quick bite and head over to the museum.  If only we’d known. 

The museum was beautiful.  The early American art was immaculant.  My students will be surprised by the fact that Paul Revere was more than just a messanger and that he was actually a blacksmith and from I saw, a very good one.  I was quite impressed with that wonderfully detailed teapot.  That fact, and that I saw the actual Rocky statue may just leave them speechless especially when I provide proof. 

What is really important to me is to build background knowledge.   I honestly think that my students think I am making some stuff up.  When I tell them about all of these great stories in history, they either look at me with eyes glazed over or they have a kind of questioning look on their faces.  It just isn’t in their mental banks.  I can compare it to the analogy that Carol Berkin gave me about feminism in the colonial period.  It would be like a 9 year old standing up today and saying I have rights and I demand to be treated like an equal.  That gave me a better perspective on things.  I have to always remember to put as many deposits into that background bank as I can.  One way is to show my students a picture of the front of the Philadelphia Museum of Art.  WOW!  The enormous structure was not what I had pictured.  Check out the people in front.  They’re like little ants.  That puts things in perspective. 

HMMMMM!  Interesting day.  I think my title says it all.  It was a true east coast kind of day.  All foggy in the morning.  Some of us believed that it was going to actually be cool:)  Oh, how wrong she was!!  It was warm at 7 am.  That overcast look was just to reel you in, make you think it is cold so you wear your jacket and then BAMO!  You’re sweating.  On top of all that, all of the coffee shops were closed.  We had to finally settle for Mickey D’s for our morning fix.  What is the world coming to when you can only get coffee at a major university at the local McDonalds. 

Off to Washington’s Crossing we go.  Very cool stuff.  I especially liked all of the authentic furniture.  I now know the origin of the saying Bar and Grill.  This is one more chance to illustrate the influence of our history.  I honestly believed that bar and grill meant a place served drinks and food.  I have been informed that it comes from the design of the bar and the grill is the wooden slats that the barkeep could pull down and lock to secure the bar while he was downstairs retrieving a keg of ale.

So, off to the “turn in the Revolutionary War” at the Monmouth Battlefield.  I think that this is where my students really need to be keeping a timeline.  There are so many different battles and important happenings, that it is very easy to get confused as to what went where at what time.  I am going to start the year off with a whole class reading on Joseph Plumb Martin.  This book is wonderful on giving a first account and he isn’t much older than my students.  Next, I plan to have the students create a timeline.  We will have a large one displayed in the room and they will journal one so they can write any and all side notes about the date.  When we encounter a battle or event in our curriculum, we will discuss where it goes on the timeline and why.   Our text doesn’t put special attention on remembering the dates, but I do think it is very important to have them in the correct order.  Note:  Washington crosses the Delaware River on Dec 25, 1777.  He has success at the Battle of Princeton and Trenton in Jan and Feb of 1778, but suffers defeat at Brandywine that summer and is forced to retreat to Valley Forge so his troops can recover.  This gives the British an opportunity and they take Philadelphia. 

On that note, off to the lovely metal and plastic platform I call my bed.  I think I’ll try to sleep in a little tomorrow and start the new week refreshed.  BRING ON THE HISTORY! 

www.Rockyou/show_my_gallery.php?source=ppsl&instanceid=114453303

Another day! Another sight! Met in the usual place at the usual time.  No rain today which is a good thing, but the humidity stuck around unfortunately.  I won’t miss that a bit when I get back to the desert.  We all took the subway back downtown and made it to the Franklin Institute – early!  Hung out on the steps and felt like Rocky for a little while (I know, different steps).  If they were the wrong steps why did they sell the shirts at the bottom?  Is it that there are so many stupid tourists that the vendors are like, “if you can’t beat them, join them!”  After a rather lengthy introduction by the curator, we were allowed to explore for a short while.  VERY cool stuff there.  I couldn’t wait to finish the show and tell and get back to the exhibits. 

Little did I know what I would be seeing.  I really appreciate the effort that was put into our tours.  This ain’t no average joe tour.  We have been given VIP service and it hasn’t gone unnoticed.  I was blown away by the fact that he took us up to that beautiful board room and showed us all of those amazing aritifacts.  Not only showed us but allowed us to touch and hold them.  That is going above and beyond if you ask me.  I honestly couldn’t pick my favorite.   This is hard for even me to grasp.  I was holding Benjamin Franklin’s sword.  How can I make my student believe it’s real, if I have a hard time putting my head around it?  I have proof from the pictures.  I think that it is important for me to relate to them that I get really overwhelmed by our history and the impact it has on us.  Being honest with them that I am learning still, and since all of these important people and events happened so long ago, sometimes we have to go on faith.  Explaining the importance of writing.  Without it, we wouldn’t know or be sure of anything. 

What can I say…loved her.  I know, big surprise.  I love a highly educated woman that thinks the same as I do.  It makes me feel so much smarter.  I could have listened to her for at least a couple more hours.  I want that “sex lives of the founders” lecture.  I have already told my friends the Adam and Eve story.  Equally admiring was Scotts retort.  This is what makes history REALLy interesting. 

I have to admit, I also enjoyed Eli.  He was witty and quick and I loved his sarcasm.  His lesson was great, even if some people didn’t follow the directions correctly.  I guess that gave a true example of what it would be like in the classroom.  I always enjoy a little controlled chaos. 

Favorite part of the center would have to be the Tree.  I could have stood there a pulled pictures for hours.  I like that is an ever evolving exhibit.  Think about it.  One of us could be on that tree some day.  The bronze statues were great in the fact that they were as true to scale as could be.  I don’t care what the ranger at Valley Forge says, I still think they were short little guys back then.  Look at their beds.  There is no way that my husband and I could fit in one of those little beds.  It’s not even a full.  I walked by every statue and they only guys that were taller than me were Washington at 6′2″ and Morris at 6′4″.  They were definately the exception, not the rule and I am wondering if George’s stature didn’t play some role in his being looked upon as a great leader.  At least initially.

I probably had the most fun after the Center.  I ran (literally) to the Franklin Post Office to get some post cards off to my family with the official stamp.  Then we hightailed it to the Park Service gift store where some of us stood in line for an hour and some of us gave up and decided to buy their stuff at a latter time (names will remain anonymous to protect the innocent)  Me – hour   Sherri – smart  Then we dashed over the the Second Bank and slid in as they were pulling the open sign.  We got to look at all of the wonderful paintings.  Next, a group of us walked 6 blocks to Jim’s Cheesesteaks.  I don’t know about the 6 blocks, but I have decided I am not a huge fan of cheesesteak.  I think I have enough for this trip and will look for some other local favorites.  On our way back from the 6 (or 10) block walk, some of us decided on a side trip to City Tavern where the Founders relaxed after a hard day of debate.  It was wonderful.  The staff dressed up in period apparel and the spirits were pretty good too.  Finally, we were going to call it a day when we decide on another side trip to Penn Landing.  I think we were all lulled by the water and the wind.  A beautiful ending to a wonderful day.