Field Trip Review: Sea Life, Kansas City MO

This morning, Rebecca and I went to Kansas City to visit the new Sea Life Aquarium.  Currently in science she is studying oceanography, so it fit right in.  It was our first visit.

If you order your tickets offline, you save around $4 per ticket.  You need to order your tickets in advance, to reserve your spot, because if they are sold out, they won't let you in.  I would allow about 3 hours to go through the aquarium, longer if you have small children with you.

It wasn't too much walking, and there were plenty of places to sit and rest if you wanted to.  You can take photos, but flash photography is not allowed.  The flash is harmful to the fish.

 Jellyfish.  There are over 2000 types of jellyfish, only 70 types are poisonous to man.

This star fish was in a tank where you could actually touch some of the crab, shrimp, fish and other salt water creatures.

Proof she was hatched!  Rebecca in a turtle egg....

There are several places where you can actually go under the tank, and come up in a bubble in the center, so that the fish swim all around and over where you are.

This guy, was Rebeccas friend.  He was in a large tank, that actually went through several rooms.  He followed her through each of the rooms, and when she would stop, he would stop.  If she changed directions, so did he.  She got a video of him watching her, that is 15 minutes long.  It was kind of fun to watch.

We got home in time to load up the car and head to our monthly 4H meeting.  Early start and late night, but a fun day.

For our next trip, I think we will head to the Nelson Art Gallery.

Field Trip review Deanna Rose Children's Farm in Overland Park KS

Yesterday our homeschool coop took a field trip to the Deanna Rose Farmstead in Overland Park KS.  If you haven't been there, you need to go.  It was our first visit and we loved it.  We thought it would be more for younger kids, but the teens had just as much fun, as did the adults.  If you go Monday-Thursday, it is free.  Parking is up close, and there is a place outside to sit and eat, so you can take your own lunch and leave and return to the park with very little walking.

These are the bigger goats, which you can feed goat feed to, out of your hand.

Begging for a  free handout.

The homestead has over 200 animals, a school house, milking barn, chicken coop, barn, General store, bank, gardens and much more.  Most activities are hands on.  They close at 5 p.m. and right before they close, they have a goat race, which is very entertaining.

This little house was inside one of the gardens.  It is lined with wire fencing.  I think it would make a cute house for a sandbox.  You could tarp the roof or plant a vine over it.  The wire fencing would keep cats out of the sandbox....

Another cute little house in the children's garden.

The farmstead also features an Kanza (Kaw) Indian round mound house.  The staff member that was in the Indian house was an actual Indian, and full of information.  We spent over an hour in the house listening to her as she explained how it was built and a bit about the culture.  The house was 40 ft round, perfectly insulated and could sleep 45 people.  Inside it were skins, furs, and many tools.  I could have listened to her talk for another hour!

The park is all paved, very easy for a wheelchair or stroller to get around.  It has lots of benches in the shade to sit and rest and a playground park for the kids.

Our homeschool coop is changing it up a bit

At least for this semester, our homeschool coop is changing direction.  Instead of having all traditional in house weekly classes, we are adding 2 field trips a month.  So, on week 1, we have coop and learn about what we will be doing on week 2, and on week 2 we will have a field trip.  On week 3, we will discuss what we learned on week 2 and do an appropriate reinforcement activity, and discuss what we will see on week 4.  The kids will be divided up by age groups so the learning will be on their levels.

I am looking forward to it as there are many things in the Kansas City area I haven't seen or taken the girls to yet.  Some of our field trips will be free ones, others won't, but doing it with coop means we will qualify as a school group and get a group rate.

On regular coop meeting days, we will continue to meet at our Independence MO location.
On field trip weeks, we will meet at our field trip location.

So far, its not too late to join, so if you want more information--contact me.  Fees are $10 per family for the semester, plus any field trip fees (and sack lunches).

Laura Ingalls Wilder Homestead Fieldtrip

Yesterday 2 of the girls and I went to a funeral in south Missouri.  On the way back, we stopped in Mansfield MO and toured the Laura Ingalls Homestead.  We stayed for 3 hours, but you could easily make a full day of it.

Little ones are free, children are $4 and adults are $8.  For this, you get to tour the museum, and 2 of her homes (one is just down the road from the other).  They have lots of benches and picnic tables in the parking area and at the rock house and farm house. They welcome people to picnic there before,  or after their tour.  We also got to see Pa's fiddle, some of Lauras needlework, books, writings and much, much more.

They do not allow any inside pictures, but you can take all you want outside.

This house took them years to build.  They built it all themselves, except for the last addition .  The fireplace was made of 40 wagon loads of rock taken from the farm.

Both locations had lots of wild flowers in bloom, and redbud trees.

The rock house

The twins sitting beside the front door at the rock house.

The garage at the big house.  When Rose built this house for her parents, she also bought them a car and taught them how to drive.  This is where the car was kept. 

The back porch of the Rock House.  Each of the gutters empties into a small cistern, which then goes to  a larger one.  They only used the well water for drinking and cooking.  The rain water was used for all other purposes.

Notice the insulators for the electric.  Rose paid over $3000  to have the electricity  brought to the house from Mansfield.

Floor to ceiling windows opened during the summer to bring a breeze through the house.  This is the house Laura lived in when she started writing the Little House books.

Even though they had a refrigerator, Alanzo used this spring house to  store the milk from his goats in.

It’s not too late to have a Spring Break! The next home schoolday at CoCo Key Water Resort is Friday, March 30.



Water Resort tickets are only $5 each (tax notincluded) from 11apm – 4pm.



Space is limited, go online today to http://tickets.cocokeykansascity.comand login with your store name HOME to save $13 off admission perperson or simply mention ‘Home School Day’ to the front desk to get thisamazing discount.



Q: When’s your next home school day?

A: Participants for this home school day can pick-up ourcolorful new Home School calendar that highlights every Home School Day scheduled for the rest of 2012!



Don’t forget to bring your own towel!



JeffHirst

SalesManager

Holiday Inn SE Hotel - CoCo Key Water Resort

9103E. 39th St., Kansas City, MO 64133

Direct: (816)737-4727 | Fax: (816) 737-4745

www.holidayinn.com/kansascitymo | www.cocokeykansascity.com 

Field Trip Day in Kansas City

Today we took a field trip to Union Station in downtown Kansas City.  We went and saw a free musical (today's morning show only was free).  As a homeschooling mom, I am always on the lookout for free or inexpensive field trips.  This show was a history lesson in cowboys of the old west.  Many don't realize that the majority of the cowboys were actually black.  Hollywood seldom portrays them correctly.  It followed the cowboy life of Nat Love, AKA Deadwood Dick, who was a real cow  boy in US History.  See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Deadwood_Dick for more information on Deadwood.  We saw his adventures, work, and hardships and how it was changed when the railroad came across the west.  We are counting it as history.


Theatre for Young America (TYA), a non-for-profit,  has a musical running, featuring Danny Cox and his music.  The musical is "Black Cowboy in the Old West" at center stage.  It runs through Feb 25.   


They have several more shows coming up this year.  I highly recommend their shows.  You can find TYA on facebook to see what is scheduled.


Afterward we walked around for a bit before heading home.  The girls had fun checking out the ceiling--lots of interesting architecture, old fire equipment display from KCFD, and old trains outside.   We plan on heading back later for a visit to the planetarium.

I made 2 loaves of bread, Rebecca made a pineapple upside downcake, and we all pitched in to make some jambalaya.

On the way home we stopped at the store and bought shrimp and sausage for the jambalaya.  When I got home, I discovered my husband had the same idea on his way home from work and bought.....shrimp and sausage for jambalaya.  I guess great minds really do think alike???

a note from Powell Gardens @ Lone Jack MO

Dear Educator,

Spring will soon be here. This week's weather makes it seem like it is closer than it really is!

With spring comes spring cleaning, and I have taken the opportunity to update our Web site listing of information specifically of interest to home-centered educators.

I hope you find this information useful as you plan your season's outings and educational adventures. For a snap shot of what is coming up, follow and book-mark the link below:
http://www.powellgardens.org/default.asp?page=HomeEducators
Or go to our Web site, http://www.powellgardens.org/, follow the LEARN link and RESOURCES FOR EDUCATORS.

You will note February has a special focus on birds! Come see all our feathered friends!

Complimentary birding backpacks are available at the Reception Desk to use on a birding visit to Powell on a first-come, first-serve basis.

Check back periodically for updates, special drop-in opportunities and additional classes.

If you are not already on our mailing list or would consider "Liking" us, you will find those links on our Web site, too.

Kind regards,

Eric Jackson
Director of Education
Powell Gardens,
Kansas City's Botanical Gardens
816.697.2600 ext.308
http://www.powellgardens.org/

Education at Powell Gardens awakens the senses, connects the learner to nature and promotes curiosity and good health.

Great field trip idea

This one is making the rounds on some of the homeschool email loops. 
There is a Medieval Fortress in Arkansas, open for tours. For more information, go to
http://ozarkmedievalfortress.com/  It is in Lead Hill, Arkansas, located halfway between Springfield MO and Little Rock.

Field Trips in Independence MO

As part of our homeschooling, we like going on field trips. Last week, with a group of area homeschoolers we went to Independence MO and saw just a small part of the many sites to see in Independence.

Our first stop was at the Western Museum. Outside the museum is a statue of Jim Bridger, which we found interesting, because we have already been to Fort Bridger in Wyoming. So, we have seen where he started, and where he ended!

Beaver-used for beaver hats.  When silk hats came out, it hurt the beaver fur traders.

If you don't know much about Independence, it is not only the hometown of former president Harry Truman, but also where the wagons took off for heading west.

Blacksmith shop.  With all the wagon trains starting, Independence at one time had over 60 of them. 

After our guided tour at the museum, we went on a covered wagon ride, pulled by 2 mules. On the movies they always show the wagons being pulled by horses. But, horses were not suited for the hard pulling. Instead, mules and oxen were used. They could pull heavier loads, and required less water.

Part of our wagon ride went over a section of the Oregon Trail that Independence has paved over. They have not widened it. The road is lower than the ground on either side, as the wagons wore it down.

Beginning of the Oregon Trail

We rode past an old brick home where the owners have found unfired shots from the civil war in their yard.

This brick homes owners, have found unfired cannon shots in their yard while doing yard work!

We also passed the home of Harry and Bess Truman, and plan on visiting that after it opens for the season.

Former home of Harry and Bess Truman.  It is open for tours during the warmer months.

Later this year, Independence will be having Civil War wagon tours that will tour sites of battles. We are planning on going to that as well. We also want to visit the old log courthouse and several other sites, including the Truman Library.

For MO homeschoolers-a new site

I just found this website for field trips for Missouri Homeschoolers. Mainly it appears to be for those in the southern part of the state, but if there was something interesting, I am sure it would be worth the trip to join them. Their website is http://www.fieldtripsonline.org. There are other things on their site as well, such as a printable form to record reading hours. Also, there is a list ring you can join to receive emails of upcoming trips.

MO Homeschool field trip @ Arrowrock

Reservations are still being accepted for our Home School Days April 22 or May 20. This year we are offering some new experiences for students including games, voting with a quill pen and touring the George Caleb Bingham house. A “chore course” will be set up for younger children. Information about registration follows. Please forward to others who you feel would be interested in this program. Thank you.



Arrow Rock, Missouri

April 22 or May 20, 2009

Same program will be held each day.

10:00-12:00 a.m.



Arrow Rock, Crossroads of the Missouri Frontier

Learn of 19th century activities of daily life for the first inhabitants of the Boonslick area where Arrow Rock was founded in 1829.

Students and accompanying adults will rotate among five stations (including some hands-on experiences) at their own choosing during a two-hour period.

• Flintknapping at 1828 Academy

• Old-time games such as hoops and sack races

• Voting with a quill pen in the 1839 Court House

• Making candles and marbles in Arrow Rock State Historic Site

• Tour of 1837 George Caleb Bingham house with “chore course” for younger children.

Reservations beginning March 4: call 660-837-3330 or 1-800-334-6946 (ask to be transferred to Arrow Rock State Historic Site) between the hours of 8:30 and 3:30.

There will be a $4.00 fee for each student age six and over. Supervising adults are free. Please have the total amount due for your family ready at check-in at State Historic Site Visitor Center. Checks payable to Friends of Arrow Rock.

You will receive a confirmation letter and map. Please be sure you are familiar with the map and check-in instructions.

For information about the village: www.arrowrock.org http://www.friendsar.org

You might wish to take advantage of three marked trails to the Missouri River and through a woodlands area. These hikes can be made following the two hour program. Maps will be available at the Visitor Center upon check-in.

An additional program you may wish to attend:

May 28: 8th Annual Teacher’s Workshop (adults only):

“Paddle Wheels to Wagon Wheels: The Missouri River and the Santa Fe Trade” 8:30-3:00. $45 registration per person includes fried chicken dinner at the 1834 Tavern, tour and speakers. Further information will be sent later.



Kathy Borgman, Executive Director

Friends of Arrow Rock, Inc.

PO Box 124

Arrow Rock, MO 65320

ph. 660-837-3231

fax: 660-837-3230

Celebrating our 50th Anniversary 1959-2009!

www.friendsar.org

www.arrowrock.org

www.lyceumtheatre.org


__._,_.___

Fantastic Caverns Homeschool Days-Southern MO

Dear Home School Educator,

For many years, the Fantastic Caverns Science Research Program has offered special tours and educational materials to area schools. In the past, we have offered special group rates to schools when they had a minimum of 20 participants. This requirement does not meet the needs of most home schools in our region and we would like to change that.

February 1-14, 2009, will be Home School Days at Fantastic Caverns. We will offer our school group rates for the educational cave tour to area home school groups regardless of the number attending. These rates are $6.00 for children age 12 and under (discounted from $13.50) and $15.50 for age 13 and above (discounted from $21.50).

The all riding tour addresses geology, history, cave life, karst and groundwater. The trip through the cave takes about 55 minutes and is available from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM daily. While we do not require a deposit, we do anticipate high demand for the tour. Please call or e-mail with your plans so we will be certain to have enough staff to serve you.

A free study guide, “Living in Cave Country”, and the cave-related magazine Ozark Adventure, is available at http://www.fantasticcaverns.com/educate.htm to assist your teaching efforts.

Our hope is that this time period of special rate availability will allow you to incorporate more learning opportunities into your curriculum. This is a time of year when we have available staff to devote to our educational programs and the cave is a Warm 60°, no matter how cold it is outside!

If you have questions or would like to call for reservations, you may contact us at:
(417) 833-2010.



Thank you very much,
Kirk Hansen
Fantastic Caverns
Science Research Program

Homeschool Days at Kansas Citys Union Station Jan 27-30

Additional information regarding shows and exhibits can be found on our web site at www.unionstation.org.



During Home School Days….

• $10 off Family Membership (for 4 or more people) purchased January 27-30

• Special science demos each afternoon

• FREE educational materials



Special discounted rates:



Science City: $6 per person

Regnier Extreme Screen: $4 per person

The Tsar & The President: $6 per person

KC Rail Experience: $4 per person

Dialog in the Dark Exhibit:$10 per home schooled child. $18 for one adult chaperone.

(Add’l adults and guests pay regular public rates. Advance reservations are recommended for Dialog. Please call 460-2020 to make a reservation.)

Dialog Exhibition is open Wed-Fri, 9:30 am - 1 pm. Last ticket sold at 12noon



For additional information please call (816) 460-2020.