It's time to link up with Doodle Bugs for:
Last week I took an amazing class: Mapping Boston in the Revolutionary War. Every day we went on a different field trip in Boston. Here are five highlights of my week:
On Monday - the first day - our class met at the Boston Public Library. In the morning, we discussed maps, class requirements, ... Before the class even began, I was enjoying Boston. I met my son, Andrew, for breakfast at the Friendly Toast. Right across the street from the restaurant, we discovered an adorable park with these cool mosaics. After we strolled over to an area right across from the Boston Public Library and hung out with the Tortoise and the Hair statues:
After lunch, our class met at the Massachusetts Historical Society (click here to read more). They were all excited because the date was July 18th, and the Declaration of Independence was first read in Boston on July 18, 1776. In the lobby of the building, several books were displayed including Book of Ages. The Life and Opinions of Jane Franklin by Jill Lepore. Check out the summary on Amazon here. I have already gotten the book out from my library but haven't started it yet.
On Tuesday, we started out at the Old State House - the yellow building on the left. During colonial days, the governor used this building as his office and as a meeting place. The balcony is most important. On the street in front of this balcony and a little ways down, the Boston Massacre took place. Later, in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was first read to the colonists on this balcony. Every year on July 4th at 10:00 a.m., an actor dressed as a colonist stands on this same balcony and reads the Declaration of Independence in full.
The Old State House is also home to several primary sources which include different points of views from several colonists about the Boston Massacre. You can check out this information here; check out the Research and Collections section.
Later in the day, we headed to the Old South Meetinghouse to hear all about the meeting that took place the night before the Boston Tea Party. Most importantly, this year, the reenactment takes place on FRIDAY, December 16th. You can buy tickets for a reduced price for a limited time here - click on the Calendar section to view the information. I'm definitely planning on attending this event, especially since it's on a Friday!
On Wednesday, we had an adventure to the Old North Church. Check it out:
Back in colonial days, people had to purchase pews; the wealthier you were, the more you were able to buy to purchase a well located pew. You can even decorate and accessorize your pew to your liking - see picture on right.
We even got the go part way up in the steeple to see where the bells are rung. In the basement, there are several enclosed areas where people have been buried. They ran out of space in the cemetery so they buried people under the church:
All burial areas are completed sealed off for health purposes.
Behind the church, you can visit a colonial printing press and chocolate shop:
The printers print copies of Paul Revere's Boston Massacre as well as the Declaration of Independence (which you can purchase for $17.76!). You even get a free sample at the chocolate shop!
To discover more about the Old North Church, click here.
On Thursday, we headed over to the Bunker Hill Monument and Museum:
The Park Rangers led us through a map activity in which we reenacted the Battle of Bunker Hill. This battle was significant because the British realized that the colonists were a force to be reckoned with - even though we lost the battle, we gained respect. Both sides lost a considerable amount of soldiers. The actual battle took place on Breed's Hill, but since the British won, they got the naming rights, and that's why this area is known as Bunker Hill today.
In the museum, there was a display of several famous Revolutionary War heroes, and several students featured Sybil Ludington (read more about her here.) Sybil is also mentioned in one of my favorite read-alouds - Judy Moody Declares Independence.
To read further about Bunker Hill, click here.
This course started and ended at the Leventhal Map Center which is part of the magnificent Boston Public Library. The Map Center contains many historical maps and activities for children. In addition, they offer classes every summer. Some people came from New York City and Wisconsin to take this class.
I'm so thankful that I had so many opportunities to visit and learn more about Boston history. Now I've been on School Street in Boston; I even worked on this street when I worked at the Boston Five Cents Savings Bank. Last week, I learned that the Boston Latin School used to be on this street - that's why it's named School Street!
I'm in Bar Harbor, Maine now for vacation. It's quite beautiful!
Happy Sunday!
Last week I took an amazing class: Mapping Boston in the Revolutionary War. Every day we went on a different field trip in Boston. Here are five highlights of my week:
After lunch, our class met at the Massachusetts Historical Society (click here to read more). They were all excited because the date was July 18th, and the Declaration of Independence was first read in Boston on July 18, 1776. In the lobby of the building, several books were displayed including Book of Ages. The Life and Opinions of Jane Franklin by Jill Lepore. Check out the summary on Amazon here. I have already gotten the book out from my library but haven't started it yet.
On Tuesday, we started out at the Old State House - the yellow building on the left. During colonial days, the governor used this building as his office and as a meeting place. The balcony is most important. On the street in front of this balcony and a little ways down, the Boston Massacre took place. Later, in 1776, the Declaration of Independence was first read to the colonists on this balcony. Every year on July 4th at 10:00 a.m., an actor dressed as a colonist stands on this same balcony and reads the Declaration of Independence in full.
The Old State House is also home to several primary sources which include different points of views from several colonists about the Boston Massacre. You can check out this information here; check out the Research and Collections section.
Later in the day, we headed to the Old South Meetinghouse to hear all about the meeting that took place the night before the Boston Tea Party. Most importantly, this year, the reenactment takes place on FRIDAY, December 16th. You can buy tickets for a reduced price for a limited time here - click on the Calendar section to view the information. I'm definitely planning on attending this event, especially since it's on a Friday!
On Wednesday, we had an adventure to the Old North Church. Check it out:
Back in colonial days, people had to purchase pews; the wealthier you were, the more you were able to buy to purchase a well located pew. You can even decorate and accessorize your pew to your liking - see picture on right.
We even got the go part way up in the steeple to see where the bells are rung. In the basement, there are several enclosed areas where people have been buried. They ran out of space in the cemetery so they buried people under the church:
All burial areas are completed sealed off for health purposes.
Behind the church, you can visit a colonial printing press and chocolate shop:
The printers print copies of Paul Revere's Boston Massacre as well as the Declaration of Independence (which you can purchase for $17.76!). You even get a free sample at the chocolate shop!
To discover more about the Old North Church, click here.
The Park Rangers led us through a map activity in which we reenacted the Battle of Bunker Hill. This battle was significant because the British realized that the colonists were a force to be reckoned with - even though we lost the battle, we gained respect. Both sides lost a considerable amount of soldiers. The actual battle took place on Breed's Hill, but since the British won, they got the naming rights, and that's why this area is known as Bunker Hill today.
In the museum, there was a display of several famous Revolutionary War heroes, and several students featured Sybil Ludington (read more about her here.) Sybil is also mentioned in one of my favorite read-alouds - Judy Moody Declares Independence.
To read further about Bunker Hill, click here.
This course started and ended at the Leventhal Map Center which is part of the magnificent Boston Public Library. The Map Center contains many historical maps and activities for children. In addition, they offer classes every summer. Some people came from New York City and Wisconsin to take this class.
I'm so thankful that I had so many opportunities to visit and learn more about Boston history. Now I've been on School Street in Boston; I even worked on this street when I worked at the Boston Five Cents Savings Bank. Last week, I learned that the Boston Latin School used to be on this street - that's why it's named School Street!
I'm in Bar Harbor, Maine now for vacation. It's quite beautiful!
Happy Sunday!
Wow! I really enjoyed reading this post. Your mapping class was amazing. I pinned some Sybil Ludington resources! I have to add some facts about her to my social studies units. Thanks! Have fun in Maine. It's a great place to go in the summer, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteJan
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