Final Blog – Philadelphia

This was another great trip. I must say that Boston was more to my liking because of the places we visisted last year, but this was still a very rewarding and educational experience. Of all the places I went to, I must say that Valley Forge was my favorite. I really am partial to the colonial and revolutionary time period, and this grant has really provided me with two once in a lifetime experiences. I think that the trip had a nice mixture of different topics. However, I wish we could have went to the Brandywine Battlefield, but I could go to those places everyday. The Amish experience was also a very memorable experience. I felt a little intrusive on the people since part of the reason they chose this religion was to separate themselves from this lifestyle, and they end up having to have people in there home treating them like tourist attractions. Winterthur was one of those sites that was unexpectedly good. As I said before some of those educational programs that places offer leave something to be desired, but the one they put on was excellent. I know that during the last school year my presentation of historical topics was greatly improved because of the Boston trip, I can’t wait to apply what I learned from this trip next year. Ulitimately, I think that this trip has given ways to make history more enjoyable, interesting, and accurate for my students.

As far as bad parts about the trip, the only thing I wish I could have changed was having a better bed. The days were great, but sometimes they were a little tough with only 2-3 hours of sleep. The food was good though. he subway was an interesting experience too, one I will never forget, at least until I can get the smell out from inside my nose . [ I guess that is a good way to put it.  ]

This was only my second trip to the east coast, with last year being my first. I must say that I think I will have to make a trip out here on my own so that I can spend a little more time at some of the sites. I do want to thank eveyone involved in grant for providing such a wonderful opportunity to all of the teachers involved. I have been involved in this grant for two years now, and the SECAHP grant for three, and the information and resources that I have recieved have been invaluable.