Learning All About the Old North State

In our homeschool co-op all of the Kindergarten through 6th graders are learning North Carolina History this semester, and I have the privilege of teaching it on Friday afternoons. As a former 4th grade public school teacher, I taught North Carolina in social studies for 5 years in the classroom. I just love it- the history, geography, economics, government...! And it's so conducive to field trips within a close driving distance! Well, I've tried to take full advantage of this opportunity, so we've been field trippin' quite a bit!

With our whole homeschool group (not just our co-op) we went on a great all day field trip to two of our state's historic sites: Bennett Place and Duke Homestead. Bennett Place is the location of the largest Confederate troop surrender of the Civil War. It really has amazing historical significance, but it doesn't get nearly the attention the Appamatox Courthouse does, for some reason. We were able to stand on the very ground where Generals Johnston and Sherman met to negotiate. Confederate and Union soldiers rested on those very lawns. Pictured here is a Union soldier showing us how to load and shoot his rifle. Also, this is a reconstruction of the Bennett Family home.

There was a small museum inside the Visitor's Center. Here Alex and his friend are learning about the War Between the States.

We left Bennett

Place and drove 10 minutes

to Duke Homestead. Both are in Durham.

Our tour guide taught the children about farm life for the Duke family as she took us through the home.

The littlest members of RACCE (Raleigh Association of Classical Christian Educators) Homeschool Group didn't have quite the attention span necessary for the tour through the first home of the Duke family. Here they're chatting with the chickens at the coop. Also, you can see Samuel and his buddy rushing to the tobacco curing barn to be the first to learn all about it!

"I'll race ya!"


Here is the whole group of children in front of the Duke Family's Homestead.

We toured the Duke Homestead Tobacco Museum. It is very well done, and quite interactive. The kids' favorite part was the automated late 1800s tobacco farmer that told us what he did during each season of the year.

After the museum tour we were treated to a fashion show. Learning all about the clothing of farming families in the late 1800s was fun! Jacob modeled attire!

Victoria and her sweet friend took a second to pose for me while they were watching the fashion show!

Spring Break started today. Yesterday was a school day for us, but what a fun school day it was!!! We went to the NC Museum of History and the NC Museum of Natural Sciences. There's a new temporary exhibit at the history museum called "Knights of the Black Flag". We knew it would be good, but as Jacob put it perfectly when as we walked in the dark, intriguing first room he exclaimed, "It's even awesomer than I thought it would be!"

Here is a scary looking crew of pirates!

Mary Liz has always wanted to have her picture made with Sir Walter Raleigh!

"ARGGHH!" Jacob as the most notorious North Carolina pirate, Blackbeard.

"Man the Cannons!" Watch out!

Captured by pirates, Victoria was upset with the enemy! She reminds me of Wendy tied up on Captain Hook's ship! Now free, Victoria and her friend man the cannons!

Samuel was just the right height to navigate the ship!

I'm glad Mary Liz is on my side!

Here's a replica of the beautiful Canova statue of President Washington. It was created for our second capital building, built after moving the capitol from New Bern (Tryon Palace) to Raleigh. Unfortunately it burned down, and the famous statue was destroyed. At fist the kids couldn't figure out how it could be there, so I explained it had been remade.

Stockcar racing began in the NC mountains with running moonshine. I haven't been over that with these younger kids, though.

At the NC Museum of Natural Sciences- the kids posing in front of the Acrocanthosaurus skeleton, which is the most complete specimen of its kind on display in the world.

Have you ever seen a cuter luna moth in all of
North Carolina?

Samuel loved all of the animals at the science museum. He was talking to the turtles here. In the "Meet the Animals" program he got to pet a NC state reptile- an Eastern Box Turtle. Victoria asked for a picture in front of our state bird and state flower- cardinal and dogwood.
Speaking of state symbols, the kids have been studying those, too. Below is Mary Liz's project. She wants me to point out that her Tar Heel State Symbols project is done in NC STATE colors. We Comers are Tar Heels because we're from the Tar Heel state, but we're NOT UNC Tar Heels. : ) This is one page from the booklet. She drew the state insect- the honey bee.

We've been learning about the three geographical regions of NC, too. Here some of my favorite North Carolinians are pointing to the piedmont region, where we live.

This is Mary Liz's salt dough map of the 3 regions. She has marked the locations of her 6 favorite state historic sites. Also, she painted and labeled neighboring states.

Supreme Field Trip to NC's Highest Court

Last Tuesday Mark took the morning off work to go on a field trip with us to our state's Supreme Court. We heard a talk by Supreme Court Historian Danny Moody. In our NC history studies for the week we were learning all about the State Song, "The Old North State". Mr. Moody taught us about its author, NC Supreme Court Justice William Gaston. We also saw the original location of the house that President Andrew Johnson lived in until he was 13. We had just finished studying him, too! I love it when school stuff comes together like that!

Next, we went upstairs to the actual Supreme Court Chambers. Associate Supreme Court Justice Paul Newby spoke to us all about his job, the judicial branch, and the Supreme Court. Jacob was very focused and took the field trip seriously. He asked several questions of Justice Newby, and answered one in Mr. Moody's talk. Mary Liz had planned to take notes, but she said Mr. Newby is such a good teacher that she'll remember everything he said. She was afraid she would miss something while writing. She also asked questions during Justice Newby's session. I love seeing those wheels turning! Victoria thought Mr. Newby was wonderful! She came right home and drew a picture of all of us with him.

Paul is a friend of Mark's and mine, so it was special to see him in his work setting. His wife, Macon, was my Bible Study teacher and dear friend throughout my high school years. Fellow Bible Study girlfriends and I spent quite a bit of time with Paul and Macon at their home, learning to live out our faith. Mark and I have a great deal of respect for Paul and Macon, and we're grateful to him for his service to our state. We were glad to take our children to see a man of exemplary character. I'm thankful that such a godly man sits on our state's highest court.

"Remember your leaders, who spoke the Word of God to you. Consider the outcome of the their way of life and imitate their faith." Hebrews 13:7

An Extra Blessing- A Second Snow

We had another snow on March 2! Mary Liz pointed out that we had been blessed to have any snow this year, but we were doubly blessed! This wasn't good sledding snow, but it was great for snowball fights. I had to break up a few around here.

Going on a snow hunt, as Jacob called it, was our favorite snow day activity. We enjoyed exploring our winter wonderland woods, and along the creeks beside and behind our house.

This was a gorgeous snow. We all enjoyed taking in the beauty of God's amazing creation.

"He spreads the snow like wool and scatters the frost like ashes." Psalm 147:16

"God's voice thunders in marvelous ways; he does great things beyond our understanding. He says to the snow, 'Fall on the earth,' and to the rain shower, 'Be a mighty downpour.' So that all men he has made may know his work, he stops every man from his labor. The animals take cover; they remain in their dens. The tempest comes out from its chamber, the cold from the driving winds. The breath of God produces ice, ..." Job 37:5-10

We are thankful to have had one last day of the white stuff! Now we're ready for Spring!