Wednesday, March 14, 2018- Happy Pi Day!

Wednesday, March 14, 2018

Another full day in the books! After breakfast and loading the bus we made our way to the National Archives (home of the Declaration of Independence, Constitution and Bill of Rights).  When we first entered we had the opportunity to see the Magna Carta (from the 1200s). It is the oldest document in the building. Then we went to the Rotunda to see the three main documents. There is no photography and the security is high there. The documents are under thick glass and have special lights as to not fade the documents any more than necessary.  The documents are all rather faded, especially the Declaration of Independence. I find it interesting that the two words that are still rather bold and definitely legible are "free and independent".  The kids really enjoyed looking at these documents and truly took their time.  I also learned (and some students learned) that the Bill of Rights isn't matching what we think of the Bill of Rights as to the document that is there. The first two amendments were removed and so the first amendment (freedom of speech) is actually number three on the document. Another fun fact- they didn't have erasers then, so they used candle wax to remove mistakes. You can see the candle wax on the Constitution. After the Rotunda students had the opportunity to take in the museum.  I apologize for the lack of photos in there, but no photos are allowed in the Rotunda.

From the National Archives we headed to Union Station for lunch. I have to be honest and say it isn't my favorite spot for lunch. It is incredibly busy. Great lunch choices, but seating is limited.  

After lunch we headed toward the Holocaust Museum. I think a lot of the kids enjoyed the Holocaust museum.  Many didn't understand the severity or reality of what happened during the holocaust.  Each student was given a real person's name and story to follow. At the end you get to read if you survived or died. They also seemed to enjoy the Hall of Remembrance, where some students lit a candle, and Daniel's story, a "diary" written from a child's perspective during the holocaust. 

After the Holocaust Museum we headed to the National History Museum. In the museum the students had the opportunity to see the Hope Diamond, mummies, gems, animals from all over, and much more.  Many seemed to enjoy seeing the Hope Diamond, Henry the elephant and the mammal exhibit. 

From there we went to dinner at Nados Peri-Peri, a portuguese dining establishment. We enjoyed chicken, mashed potatoes, corn on the cob, and a brownie. They also had a variety of sauces to try. The students liked trying the different sauces.  

Then we headed to the Jefferson Memorial.  I have to admit that our group was incredibly well behaved. At both the Jefferson and MLK Memorials I (and the other adults) was beyond proud of how respectful the students were. Other groups were running, yelling, and acting wild; our group was perfect.  

From Jefferson we headed to the MLK Memorial and the FDR Memorial.  I think the MLK Memorial was a favorite for many of the students. By the time we got to the FDR Memorial it was evident they were getting tired and cold. They were still respectful to our tour guide, Sally, but they were ready to be in the warmth. I think they all enjoyed seeing FDR's dog. (I apologize for the not great photos in the evenings-I cannot figure out the lighting options on the school camera!)

After FDR it was back to the hotel we went. I'm sure they will sleep well tonight!! Tomorrow- Mount Vernon, Capitol, and Dinner Cruise!

Today we went to the Holocaust Museum, and it was really interesting to read about these events, but it was really sad. We also went to the Jefferson Memorial, but what made me slightly frustrated was that the entire time that we were talking about the Declaration, the name Laffayette, was never mentioned. I was triggered. But, when we went to the National Archives, and we saw the Constitution, and the Declaration, and I got to read about Jefferson, and Madison, and Washington, and Alexander Hamilton. I also found Alexander Hamilton painted on the wall on the right side of the room. I remember that he was number eighteen on the sign that said where he was. We also saw so many jewels! SHINY!!!!!!

-Riley Elsbury

my favtiory thing was the constitution.

Alex

I really liked the Holocaust Museum it was sad but I think it really honored all the people who were affected by it.

-Jessinda

My favorite part about the trip so far was the Holocaust Museum. It was really a reality check for people to see how a country could fall apart over the littlest things.

-Molly

My favorite part of the day was when we saw the Martin Luther King Jr. statue.

-Caleb

My favorite thing we did today was to see the famous documents like the decratlation of independence, the bill(law not a bill anymore) of rights, and the constitution. I also like the Holocaust Museum it was very sad and I liked how it tells us this so it won't happen again. 

-David P Kosman 

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

Tuesday, March 13, 2018

The students were woken up promptly at 6:15 this morning- so 5:15 Iowa time (we had some sleepy kids!). They made their way down for breakfast at the hotel. They enjoyed eggs, pancakes, bacon, potatoes, and croissants.

We then hopped on the bus to head to the White House.  On our way we saw some helicopters flying. They were approaching the White House. Much to our amazement, it was Marine One carrying President Trump.  We were riding in the bus parallel to the helicopter flying and we saw it land in the south lawn. It was a pretty amazing experience for everyone! We then made our way to the north side of the White House for some photos.  Terry and Ernie were watching the door and were able to capture a photo of Trump leaving.  Soon after it came out in the news about Rex Tillerson.  Just north of the White House is a statue of Andrew Jackson.  We also stopped to look at that statue.

Next we headed to the Vietnam Memorial.  Sally led us to an Osceola citizen who died in the Vietnam War, Norman Burris.  The students enjoyed looking at all the names. Some even took an etching. 

After the Vietnam memorial we headed to Ford's Theater, where Lincoln was shot. Unfortunately we couldn't go into the theater because they are moving in a set for an upcoming production, however, we were able to go into the museum below the theater.  The gun which shot Abraham Lincoln was in that museum.  We then walked across the street to the Education Center attached to the Peterson House. The Peterson House is where Lincoln was taken after he was shot.  Unfortunately, the house is under renovations (new sprinkler system in the ceilings) and we couldn't go in. The Education Center's main attraction (in my opinion) is the multi-story high tower of books. These are all the books written about Lincoln.  They are constantly adding to the book tower and I imagine they will run out of room soon.

From there we walked a couple blocks to lunch at National Place. The students received food vouchers for specific meals in a food court setting.  From lunch we went souvenir shopping at Joe's.  From Joe's we headed to Madam Toussaud's Wax Museum. There are very life-like wax statues of famous people. There was one for each of the presidents and then some famous people.  Everyone enjoyed taking pictures with the wax figures.  

Next we headed to the Museum of American History. We had a short stop in-between the Capitol and Washington Monument which was a great photo op! Then we headed to the museum.  The students broke out in groups and saw many different things. The most popular were the flag that flew over Fort McHenry which the star spangled banner was written about, Lincoln's hat, the first lady's gowns, and the bat mobile. 

Once we finished the museum we headed to dinner at Kora's, an Italian restaurant.  It was buffet style which served spaghetti, lasagna rolls, pasta with alfredo sauce, bread, salad, chicken and meatballs.  People seemed to enjoy the meal.

Following dinner we headed back to the mall to see the Korean Memorial and Lincoln Memorial.  The students enjoyed taking photos at the Lincoln Memorial. The sun was setting and so the Washington Monument looked beautiful with the colors in the sky.  We then headed to the Einstein Statue. The kids like this statue because they can climb on it. It is supposedly good luck to rub his nose.  

The Einstein Statue was our last stop of the evening. We then headed back to the hotel. Tomorrow the kids get to sleep in a little later (7:00!), so hopefully they'll get some good sleep tonight. I believe we walked about 7 or 8 miles today and 5 yesterday. We're definitely getting our steps in! 

Breakfast lunch and dinner my favorites. I also enjoyed the Lincoln Memorial.

-Joseph Eshelman

I loved being in the american history museum

- Trenton Engle

the america history museum is so big and cool on the inside and out 

Alex Hall

My favorite part of today was going to the wax museum. It was really interesting because I got to take pictures with Taylor Swift, Jimmy Fallon, and Thomas Jefferson. They were sadly not real... But I did enjoy going to the Smithsonian history museum, because I learned about some Revolutionary War things, and almost started singing Hamilton in the middle of the whole thing. I actually whisper/sung it a little bit. It was fun!

   -Riley Elsbury

  - we had a pillow fight with my room mates and we had breakfast and lunch and dinner and all of it was so good and also all of us are always having a lot of fun. and you parents so good parents that we ever had and that is good for us because we need parents to good with to Washington dc trip and thank you to mr. Beener he  made  this trip for us and i help barb get out of her wheel chair and  was so fun and all of us had a lot of fun and my favorite part was seen the fake people and the most favorite part was the Hannah Montana and thats all my day.   

     - By Isabel Pettit

 I liked going to the National Museum of American History, I got to see a lot of things including things about trains.

- Steven Hiatt

Mileage tracker:

Monday 5.33 miles

Tuesday 6.04 miles

(Photo credit: Terry Morgan)

Terry found out he had a relative on the Vietnam Wall after we visited the memorial so he and Mr. Kedley raced back to get an etching this evening as the group headed to Einstein. Very cool to see a relative on the wall.