learning about the War of 1812

Have I mentioned yet that we are learning 

American History this year ...

mostly through hands-on experiences

and historical fiction / biographies?

If not ... now you know. (smile!)

The War of 1812 really came alive for us...

we borrowed a Portable Seabag from

the Maritime Museum in Erie.

The seabag included a journal written

by a sailor that fought in the Battle of Lake Erie

and several artifacts from the journal entries.

We had a blast reading the whole journal

and checking out all the artifacts including

a 12 lb. cannon ball and a fife.

Thank you Martitime Museum for making this

amazing learning opportunity available to us!

We'll be visiting the museum and touring

Flagship Niagara next week on a fieldtip

with our homeschool co-op.

While visiting my brother and his family Easter 

weekend, the seven of us explored Ft. McHenry.

The kids LOVED it and even worked hard

completing the Jr. Ranger program

and received badges!

And to top it off ... while in D.C.

we got to see the Garrison Flag that

flew over Ft. McHenry during the war of 1812

and inspired Francis Scott Key to write

a poem called "The Star Spangled Banner" ...

have you heard of that poem?