Friday, April 13, 2007

Rosemont Day One - Erie Maritime Museum and Old Fort Niagara










Today we visited the Erie Maritime Museum and learned about the War of 1812; drove along Lake Erie and the Niagara River; glimpsed the Falls; enjoyed an interactive program at Old Fort Niagara; and we topped off the day with dinner at the Hard Rock Café. Weather conditions: Frigid.




Here are some student observations:

"I learned how to command the British Army!" - Daniel C.
"Today I learned a lot of new things, although it's really cold. This week is going to be so much fun!" - Hannah P.
"One cubic square of glacial ice is equal to 680,000,000 tons [We're checking this out.]" - C.J. S
"I really enjoyed going to Fort Niagara and learning how to shoot a musket." - Alex M.
"It was freezing when we visited Fort Niagara and we learned about how the British Army worked and how to load and use a musket." - Camille
"Today I learned that the British received one pork ration and dried peas. Later, seven men would take all the rations and mix them in a pot and divide them up evenly. After they were done cooking it, they kept the food underneath, waited until it hardened, and ate it as a snack when on guard." - Daniella K.
“I really enjoyed learning how to do things the British Army had to do, like marching and using rifles.” - M.H.
“I learned today that hogs heads means barrels.” – Eli M.
“Today, our first day of the trip, we learned that Old Fort Niagara is still here after 300 years.” – Miji K.
“Today, I enjoyed seeing the boat and seeing the different quarters and what they are used for.” – Terra M.
“I really enjoyed listening and learning about the muskets at Old Fort Niagara.” – Janice L.
“It was very interesting to learn more about the War of 1812 and Niagara Falls.” – Regina
“Going to Fort Niagara was a lot of fun and being able to have the opportunity to learn more about New York is a chance of a lifetime.” – Jessica K.
“I very much enjoyed learning the basics of learning how to handle a musket.” – Connie
“We learned how the British soldiers loaded and fired their muskets in battle. We were also taught how to march like soldiers.” – Paige F.
“I thought it was a lot of fun to learn how to be in the British Army; We learned how to march, how difficult it was being in the war, and how to shoot a gun.” – Dana G.
“I liked playing with the fake muskets and learning about the positions.” – Janet K.
“I learned that even though New York is moist, rainy, and cold, landslides don’t occur.” – Pauline M.
“Today was a great day and we traveled around the Great Lakes and the U.S.–Canadian border.” – Megan F.

4 comments:

Rebecca Mecomber said...

Glad to see you Californians are enjoying your trip. But then again, frosty New York must be waaay better than the boring old classrooms in CA, right?

Bundle up, we're gonna get a Spring Snowstorm. New York is funny that way. We have seen it snow as late as June. Crazy weather is the norm here, especially in the Mohawk Valley. There's an old saying that circulates around here: "If you don't like the weather right now, wait around five minutes and it'll change."

In mid-autumn, when the days have grown colder and we think that the cold is here to stay, BAM, we get a week or two of unseasonable warm temperatures in late October/early November. We call it Indian Summer. I have no idea what we call snowstorms that appear in late April, though.... Spring, I guess.

Have fun and keep posting.

Also, to the the young lady who said that she learned that even though New York is moist, rainy, and cold, landslides don’t occur-- true! We do not have the torrential kind of weather that other states have. Our natural disasters, however, are politicians. You determine what is worse-- destructive weather or destructive politics.

Keep on posting!

Rebecca Mecomber said...

Oh, by the way... as a "teacher" myself (I home school), I must inform you of a spelling error. It is "Niagara."

:) Now you can say you learned something else new!

Charley "Apple" Grabowski said...

I'm glad your group is enjoying their visit here despite the terrible spring we are having! The Falls are spectacular no matter what the weather is like and the power plant should be fun to tour.

A bit of trivia - it is said that the town of Bedford Falls in the movie "It's a Wonderful Life" was based on Seneca Falls, NY.

The former Seneca Army Depot is home to a large (about 200-300) population of all white deer. Located just to the southwest of Seneca Falls.

Mt Hope has many famous burials (both Bausch and Lomb - I bet the kids know those names) along with many of the quiet pioneers of NY, my ancestors among them.

Just east of Rochester in Palmyra, NY is the birth place of the Mormon religion.

I hope at least a few of the kids noticed all of the grape vines on the drive north. There will be more tomorrow. From the Thruway you can see the remnant of an old Erie Canal lock on the right hand side just west (before) exit 40 but you'll have to be watching for it. Also tomorrow you may want to keep an eye out for large birds: hawks, falcons, Canadian geese and possibly an eagle as you travel near the Montezuma wildlife refuge.

As you pass through Syracuse you will cross the Onondaga Lake outlet. This is where the local Crew reams practice and compete. Since the SU Men competed today (and won) it is unlikely you will see them, but one of the local High School teams may be practicing.

The Tour Marm said...

In my own defense - I was dictating to someone who was typing it on his laptop.

And it was late...