Jack and his family just returned from an amazing two week adventure ALL over Alaska.  His parents love the great outdoors and both Jack and his brother, Simon, spend many hours in the exploring all that nature has to offer.   Maybe the National Park Service has a future ranger-in-training on their hands!  On their visit to Denali, the family was fortunate to have clear skies and the breathtaking view of Denali!

On this day, June 22, 1784, a resolution by the Virginia House of Delegates is made to have a GW statue created.

In honor of Father's Day, I thought I would share with you some of the research and work of my students while we studied George Washington and Mount Vernon.  

I either tie my studies to our geographic studies of the states or to our timeline studies when I am planning.  This extended study on George took place while we were studying VA (the week was                                              packed as there is SO much to look                                            at).

Moffat's friend, Zerah, gave him some royal treatment earlier in the winter and my kids truly enjoyed the photographs.  Mount Vernon continues to expand the visual choices for the virtual tour.  As it is impossible to actually take my students there, this offered a rather amazing substitute. They enjoyed having the ability to investigate rooms, rotate to see various angles and have more information available about the artifacts in the room.

Since I use an interdisciplinary approach in my classroom, drawing Mount Vernon using shapes seemed like such a natural crossover into math (we had been studying decomposing shapes in our math unit).  I am always amazed at what students can do if you have them follow you step by step.  All of the Mount Vernons had their own distinct look, but one could definitely tell which historic landmark had been drawn.  

I really enjoyed combining our books and research with Mount Vernon's online resources with our classroom art.  The students were completely engaged and my only regret was that I wanted more time!

If you have not seen the amazing Mount Vernon virtual tour, click the link below to see more!

Interestingly, in my own hometown of Colorado Springs, our city's founder's home, Glen Eyrie, literally means "Valley of the Eagle."  General William Jackson Palmer's "castle" still offers regular tours, tea, overnight stays and retreats while enjoying a glimpse into his history.  Below are images from a book that I wrote in partnership with the Colorado Springs Pioneers Museum on General Palmer.  The book can be downloaded free of charge by clicking on the following link.

Summer is here and with that one simple fact means Moffat will be going more places than ever!  Oh, how I would love to say that I am the lucky host all summer, but I am not.  So many friends are gracious in my endeavors to keep teaching geography and history and the photo bank keeps growing!

Moffat's summer travels are starting off with a HUGE bang as he heads to Alaska with my friend Erica and her family (you will meet them later).  His summer travel itinerary also includes Colonial Williamsburg, Philadelphia, the Amish Country, Gettysburg, behind the scenes time at Ford's Theater, a huge road trip down and back to Florida and maybe even Bermuda!

Stay posted and enjoy your own summer adventures!  It is grand to travel!!