Amira Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 If there's one thing I've learned about homeschooling, it's that some years are better than others and some classes are better than others. I'll skip the not-so-good parts to tell you that the history class I did with ds15 was amazing this year. We're in DC for the school year so we focused on DC's local history and cultural which means we didn't go to very many museums and monuments, but poked around Civil War forts, alleys, and lots of heritage trails. Here's the link from my blog to our final list of 35 (mostly) chronological field trips. I know this won't really be useful to anyone because locals already know this stuff and visitors don't have time to see all these places, but maybe someone would find something worthwhile. It was especially interesting to learn about the District's role in Civil Rights, eminent domain cases, urban redevelopment, and so many more national issues. And to learn about the hopefully ongoing evolution of voting rights in the city, the many immigrants who have lived here, and the diversity here. I love this city. 7 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
theelfqueen Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 I'm super excited to be building a British History and British Literature class for my rising 10th and 6th graders -- built around a 3 week trip to England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. They're so excited for the trip and the materials. I think these real-world connections parts of homeschooling are probably the best thing about it. 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Caroline Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 You are inspiring me to do a history of Atlanta something... 3 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Andani Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 This is perfect for day-trippers, though. We're so ready for something besides the museums. Thanks! 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 That's awesome. I love that you did all the Heritage Trails. Aren't they great? We just wrapped up a geography unit and one of the things we did was these sort of scavenger hunts where I'd send the kids out with the phone and they'd have to text the answer to get the next clue. I used other stuff, but the heritage trail signs were so great. We can walk to a bunch of them and the routes are all online. I had the kids running all over CoHi and MtP and U Street and so forth using those. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted May 24, 2016 Author Share Posted May 24, 2016 That's awesome. I love that you did all the Heritage Trails. Aren't they great? We just wrapped up a geography unit and one of the things we did was these sort of scavenger hunts where I'd send the kids out with the phone and they'd have to text the answer to get the next clue. I used other stuff, but the heritage trail signs were so great. We can walk to a bunch of them and the routes are all online. I had the kids running all over CoHi and MtP and U Street and so forth using those. I LOVE the heritage trails, and it seems like they're not used as much as they should be. We almost never saw anyone else reading the signs when we were out, but of course we weren't here in the summer. I'm hoping they have the Foggy Bottom trail done by the time we come back here and that they do one for Georgetown and Massachusetts Avenue/Dupont Circle. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Farrar Posted May 24, 2016 Share Posted May 24, 2016 Yeah, one of the CoHi signs - the one really near us, in fact, got busted and is now gone. And several have graffiti. Sigh. But they're really cool. We've only ever done the ones in our hoods. We should walk some of the neighborhoods that aren't near us. The Frederick Douglass house is another site that's way underappreciated in the city. We've been twice and it was beyond deserted both times. I've got one to add maybe... have you been to the secret spot in Rock Creek where the old Capitol stones are? It's not far from the stables and nature center. It's weird and beautiful. 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted May 24, 2016 Author Share Posted May 24, 2016 (edited) Yeah, one of the CoHi signs - the one really near us, in fact, got busted and is now gone. And several have graffiti. Sigh. But they're really cool. We've only ever done the ones in our hoods. We should walk some of the neighborhoods that aren't near us. The Frederick Douglass house is another site that's way underappreciated in the city. We've been twice and it was beyond deserted both times. I've got one to add maybe... have you been to the secret spot in Rock Creek where the old Capitol stones are? It's not far from the stables and nature center. It's weird and beautiful. That looks so interesting! I hope we can go there before we leave. The photos look amazing. Thanks! ETA that I also learned to download the trail map after almost getting lost on the Southwest walk when I did it on my own in the fall. It's also nice to download the brochure in case a sign is down. Most trails have at least one missing. Edited May 24, 2016 by Amira 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
QueenCat Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 You are inspiring me to do a history of Atlanta something... Have you been to the Atlanta History Museum? It was better than I expected it to be (but it's probably been 12-14 years since I've been there, moved away 11 years ago). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Garga Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 I live within 2 hours of DC. Can I share your blog link with people I know who might want to take trips to DC? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Amira Posted May 25, 2016 Author Share Posted May 25, 2016 I live within 2 hours of DC. Can I share your blog link with people I know who might want to take trips to DC? Sure. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mamiof5 Posted May 25, 2016 Share Posted May 25, 2016 That's amazing!! I still keep wishing to go back there and take the kids... hopefully some day Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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