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Moffat's Travels

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Meet Junior Ranger Jack!

6/23/2015

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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!
Jack says, "I like being a Junior Ranger


 because I can help preserve parks and


 nature for the future!"
The above PDF is created by the NPS and can be found by clicking the button to the right.
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On this day...

6/22/2015

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On this day, June 22, 1784, a resolution by the Virginia House of Delegates is made to have a GW statue created.
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Virginia State Capitol Website and Virtual Tour
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Visiting Our Founding Father's Home: Looking at George Washington's Mount Vernon Through Shapes

6/21/2015

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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!

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Mount Vernon Virtual Tour
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National American Eagle Day

6/20/2015

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American Eagle Federation Information
eagles.org
It is rather challenging (no pun intended) to photograph Moffat with a real bald eagle, so when I came across this beauty in Franklin Square in Philadelphia, I was very excited! Today is National American Eagle Day, a day to remember the importance of one of our national symbols and raise awareness to continue to care for the once close to extinct species.  The bald eagle was chosen by our Founding Fathers during the Second Continental Congress on June 20, 1782 to be our national emblem.

Today, the bald eagle represents freedom and democracy.  Young learners can study more about bald eagles in the children's book "Challenger" by Margot Theis Raven. Challenger is cared for by the American Eagle Federation that has its headquarters at Dollywood in Tennessee (Dolly is one of my own personal heroes).  
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.

Colorado SPrings Pioneers museum
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If you would like to learn more about General WIlliam Jackson Palmer's Glen Eyrie, click the link below.
Glen Eyrie
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Moffat's friend Jill (and her history boyfriend George)...

6/17/2015

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One of Moffat's biggest fans and traveling hosts is Jill.  Jill lives in Florida and takes advantage of EVERY history program that she can when she is not teaching.  She originally met Moffat while at the NEH Benjamin Franklin class in Philadelphia.  She LOVES George Washington as you can see and is a teacher at the Colonial Williamsburg Teacher Institute.  Moffat is very fortunate to have such an amazing host!
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Summer Travels

6/13/2015

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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!!
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    Christy Howard
    Author

    Passionate about photography, travel and teaching social studies to young learners.

    TeachersPayTeachers

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  • Moffat's Blog
  • About
  • My Support People
  • Geography in the Classroom
  • History In The Classroom
  • Diverse Kids
  • Honors and Continued Work
  • #Blog365
  • #historymakers