Washington DC Cherry Blossoms 2013 Unit Study and Co-Op Plans

A sure sign that spring has arrived in Washington DC is the sighting of Cherry Blossoms. It is annual event that brings millions into the district as well area residents out of the winter hiding places to enjoy this natural notice that winter is behind us. It is one of the most beautiful experiences here in the district. This year’s blossoms were slow bloomers because of the cold weather. Once they arrived it was amazing.

So what is all this excitement over a cherry tree and Washington? First here is a little history …

The first two of the 3,000 trees donated by Japan to the United States were planted on March 27, 1912, by first lady Helen Taft and the wife of the Japanese ambassador. The planting was marked with a small story in the newspaper. Over the next eight years the rest of the trees would be planted around the Tidal Basin and in East Potomac Park. 

Today, 100 years later, hundreds of thousands of people come to Washington each year just to walk under the gently arching branches of the Yoshino, Akebono and Kwanzan trees. 

Many people, maybe including you, can’t imagine Washington without the cherry trees. But we probably wouldn’t be enjoying them today if it weren’t for Eliza Scidmore (pronounced Sid-more). In 1885 she visited Japan, where she first saw cherry trees. She returned to her home in Washington and spent the next 24 years pushing for the planting of cherry trees in the nation’s capital. She had no luck until she wrote a letter in 1909 to Mrs. Taft, the wife of President William Howard Taft. She loved the idea, and soon the plan for the plantings was underway. Scidmore was there when Mrs. Taft planted the first trees. 

And the rest, as they say, is history. Beautiful, beautiful history. — Tracy Grant, Washington Post 

Additional History Resources:
National Park Service
Cherry Blossom Festival

Hanami (a traditional Japanese custom of enjoying the cherry blossoms in bloom) and the 'National Cherry Blossom Festival' (an American festival held in Washington D.C. in remembrance of the occasions in which Japan gave the United States thousands of cherry blossom trees as a symbol of friendship). Every year millions attend this festival to enjoy the blossoms. A millions more enjoy viewing the “Cherry Blossom Webcam.”

Here are some photos of our Hanami last week.

http://www.nps.gov/cherry/upload/0.060_XT90_13663_NAMA_2_1.pdf

If you would like to extend you Cherry Blossom experience please check out the National Cherry Blossoms’ website for actives including earning a Girl Scout Patch.

Here are the tentative plans for our co-op lesson:

•  First we talk about the History of the Cherry Blossoms in DC
•  Then talk about the art project that we are doing 
•  3 make your own cherry blossoms:
•  The guys will love these scrolls http://artprojectgirl.blogspot.com/2011/05/cherry-blossom-scrolls.html 
• http://www.docstoc.com/docs/79339520/Cherry-Blossom-Tree-Instructions-This-colorful-craft-encourages
•  http://alphamom.com/family-fun/holidays/cherry-blossom-art-from-a-recycled-soda-bottle/ 
• http://www.wikihow.com/Make-Cherry-Blossom-Art-Using-the-Bottom-of-a-Soda-Bottle
•  Each person does their own work of art 
• Then we talk about a brief history of the library 
• Ask them about what they like about the library
•  Then make giant "Thank You" card for the Children's Library team with Cherry Blossoms 

Also there will be microscopes the set up a Cherry Blossom science station to examine the petals and buds of samples.

 

Field Trip: Christmas 2012 White House Tour

I have always dreamed of visiting the White House during Christmas. Every year since we moved into the area I always think about it in December which is months to late to arrange. Well this year thanks to goal setting skills learned from MoneySavingmom.com, I actually remember to do it in August. Our co-op group was so excited about the prospect as well. Many have lived here all their lives and never visited the White House. One week after the election we received the conformation email. We were going to the White House!

In typical homeschool mom style I pulled all the resources about the White House for a two week long unit study.

Our White House: Looking In, Looking Out

A Kid's Guide to Washington, D.C.: Revised and Updated Edition

Capital Mysteries #4: A Spy in the White House

A Christmas tree in the White House

If the Walls Could Talk: Family Life at the White House

Also we reviewed "How to greet the President" packet that we got from our amazing etiquette teacher Mrs. L. for Maryland. Details of the class here….

We also talked about "Expectations":

• What do think The White House will smell like at Christmas?
• Who would be in residence when we visit?
• What behaviors are expected of guest in The White House?
• What behaviors are unexpected at The White House?
• What's the dress code?

A lot of these questions were answered at The White House website. Also we came up with a list of our own for personal conduct so there would be no confusion to mar the experience.

It was a beautiful cold clear sunny early morning as we made our way toward Pennsylvania Avenue. We were all a little giddy with excitement as we passed through the gates of The White House grounds. 

Everyone in the line was smiling and excited, the adults more so than the kids. God Bless the Secret Service they were friendly yet imposing at the same time. Think about their daily jobs to give their lives to protect the executive branch.

Once we were cleared onto the grounds I had to stop before entering the mansion. For some this may seem a little dramatic but it is how I truly felt at the moment. Here I was an African American women raised in a southern town who still today practices self induce segregation was about to step into the building where the President of the United States lives. The granddaughter of a lady who had to fight just to vote and marched in many a Civil Rights march while being forced to enter buildings through the back door..her granddaughter was entering The White House. In that moment I missed my grandmother so much it hurt. But I looked into my son's face and I saw her there…in his eyes ..the eyes that was ready to go inside The White House.

From the minute you enter it is overwhelming. It smells of holly and cedar while shining with twinkling colored glass décor. Your mind is stuck on "Ohhhhhhhhh" then "Hey, I know that portrait of that first lady", then back to "Wow look at that tree"

The staff there is amazing. They don't allow cameras but they will let you use your camera phone. They graciously took pictures of us as a family and answered all of The Student's questions. (Okay little mom brag here. He knew every single portrait of the president s that we saw. Plus he was excited to see them.)

 

The Student was amazed that President Lincoln ate off this china. He got really quiet and said "Mom, he was in this place. He really ate off stuff that is here." I think this is when The White House became "real."

On a visit to the National Mall we wondered what it looked like from the inside of the mansion looking out. Well, it is amazing.

Gingerbread House with a candy Bo.

 These good people filled the whole tour with wonderful music.

It was amazing day spent with family and friends.

October Field Trip:Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial

A hidden treasure in the middle of the city of Washington DC is Theodore Roosevelt Island National Memorial.  We have read about this island for three years but thought it was hidden up river from the city.  Little did we know we have been driving over it.

The island is :

"Theodore Roosevelt Island is a 91-acre wilderness preserve that serves as a memorial to the nation's 26th president, honoring his contributions to conservation of public lands for forests, national parks, wildlife and bird refuges, and monuments. Theodore Roosevelt Island has 2 1/2 miles of foot trails where you can observe a variety of flora and fauna. A 17-foot bronze statue of Roosevelt stands in the center of the island. There are two fountains and four 21-foot granite tablets inscribed with tenets of Roosevelt’s conservation philosophy. This is a great place to enjoy nature and get away from the busy pace of downtown." About.com

 Arranged in an arc behind the Roosevelt statue are four panels with his quotes on four themes: Youth, Manhood, State, and Nature.

We spent a beautiful day exploring the island and lunching nearby reading Teddy Roosevelt and the treasure of Ursa Major / adapted by Ronald Kidd ; illustrated by Ard Hoyt.

Wordless Wednesday: Welcome Space Shuttle Discovery

 More on this once in a life time trip later.