We are quite new to the homeschool scene. For most of their lives I have embraced the concept of what I now know is termed "afterschooling." Our kids went to school, but I supplemented their education with activities and educational trips. I homeschooled Clare briefly last year, but it came as a complete surprise to us when we found ourselves deciding that the best educational decision for all three girls was to homeschool at this time. It won't be forever. But it is what is best for them now.
As I was plotting out our start to homeschool, I discovered Mount Vernon was hosting a day for homeschoolers. While Mount Vernon is always and easy trip for us, the homeschooler day offered special demonstrations at the Pioneer Farm and a presentation by Martha Washington.
We started our day with the orientation movie. We learned during our trip to Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown this summer that the movies are always worth the time to see them. At times, the movies are introducing us to historical facts we didn't know. But even if it is a topic with which are very familiar, the movies bring the historical time alive for us.
From the movie, we headed to the Pioneer Farm. Here, the girls were able to mash corn kernels into cornmeal and grind wheat into flour. They prepared wool for spinning and learned about kitchen tools in a colonial kitchen. Among the kitchen tools were a butter mold, which was of interest to us because we had just read about it in Little House in the Big Woods.
After the Pioneer Farm, we head back towards the Mansion to visit with Martha Washington. A historical interpreter sat as if at tea and talked to the crowd that gathered. She answered questions and spoke about her life with Colonel Washington. All three girls very much enjoyed this time with Martha.
There were other events that we simply did not get to. The archaeologists from Mount Vernon were available to talk to the children at the slave burial grounds. While this is something Meg would find enjoyable, she had the chance to talk with these archaeologists last spring so she didn't feel the need to return. Here are some pictures from our very fun day.
As I was plotting out our start to homeschool, I discovered Mount Vernon was hosting a day for homeschoolers. While Mount Vernon is always and easy trip for us, the homeschooler day offered special demonstrations at the Pioneer Farm and a presentation by Martha Washington.
We started our day with the orientation movie. We learned during our trip to Williamsburg, Jamestown and Yorktown this summer that the movies are always worth the time to see them. At times, the movies are introducing us to historical facts we didn't know. But even if it is a topic with which are very familiar, the movies bring the historical time alive for us.
From the movie, we headed to the Pioneer Farm. Here, the girls were able to mash corn kernels into cornmeal and grind wheat into flour. They prepared wool for spinning and learned about kitchen tools in a colonial kitchen. Among the kitchen tools were a butter mold, which was of interest to us because we had just read about it in Little House in the Big Woods.
After the Pioneer Farm, we head back towards the Mansion to visit with Martha Washington. A historical interpreter sat as if at tea and talked to the crowd that gathered. She answered questions and spoke about her life with Colonel Washington. All three girls very much enjoyed this time with Martha.
There were other events that we simply did not get to. The archaeologists from Mount Vernon were available to talk to the children at the slave burial grounds. While this is something Meg would find enjoyable, she had the chance to talk with these archaeologists last spring so she didn't feel the need to return. Here are some pictures from our very fun day.
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