Museums - Eva Varga

discovering china

你好（Nihao) ! I’m delighted you are following along with us as we tour China, city by city. We recently returned from a three-week family holiday in China. This is the second of ten posts whereby I introduce you to the culture of China through our eyes. Today, I bring you to The Summer Palace and Temple of Heaven – two of Beijing’s most popular tourist attractions.

The Summer Palace

The Summer Palace (Yiheyuan) is a “biggie.” Once an imperial pleasure garden, it has temples, residences, pavilions, marble bridges and an enormous lake for boating. In the 19th century, the Summer Palace was a favorite spot of the extravagant Dowager Empress Cixi, who restored many buildings and added new ones. For centuries, the emperors with their entourages relocated to escape the heat in summer, and today the Summer Palace is a great place to go with kids. A whole day excursion in itself (bring a picnic), the Summer Palace can be crowded on weekends, so try to go on a weekday.

East Palace Gate – Arriving through the monumental East Palace Gate, this is the heart of the palace complex, with administrative, residential, and pleasure buildings, such as a three story theater. Don’t miss the Happiness Longevity Hall (Leshoutang) where Dowager Empress Cixi made her home from May to November. Outside the hall are exquisite bronze statues of cranes and deer, inside is the empress’ throne room.

Long Corridor – This shady walkway goes on for almost half a mile, gloriously painted on the underside of the roof. Supported by brightly painted emerald green and bright red columns, each beam has a different painting of flowers and historical figures. The Long Corridor ends at the lake, where you can check out the amazing Marble Boat, a solid marble palace built in the shape of a two-story paddle steamer!

Longevity Hill – If the kids need to expend some excess energy, climb up to the top of Longevity Hill. You’ll pass by the majestic Precious Clouds Pavilion and the Buddhist Temple of Sea of Wisdom. When we visited it was a beautiful day and we could see clear views of Beijing in the distance, but usually it’s a bit hazy (so don’t do this expecting a view). When you walk down the north side of the hill, there’s a shady pine grove.

Kunming Lake – Rent a boat and join Chinese families on the lake. Most fun is an electric boat, where you can really explore the lake which is quite large. If you want to go under your own steam, rent a pedal boat. Boats are available for rent near the dock at the Marble Boat, and at the South Lake Island.

Peking Duck

After spending the morning at the Summer Palace, we made our way to … Restaurant meeting our foreign exchange student and her family for a traditional meal. We were surprised to discover we had our own private dining room … what a treat! We exchanged gifts and enjoyed one another’s company as we learned to make our own “duck taco” using the pancakes and lean meat.

If you get the chance to try Peking Duck, see if you can talk the restaurant into showing your kids the wood-fire ovens where the ducks are roasted and then ask the staff to show you how to eat it. Most restaurants assume you know what to do with each course, but many first-time visitors have no idea. Kids might really enjoy dipping the crispy skin in the sugar.

Hutongs

After our meal, we took the bus to a traditional Chinese neighborhood, called a Hutong; houses built around courtyards, like a village in the city. Kids will enjoy a fascinating glimpse into Chinese family life. We walked around leisurely – did a little shopping and marveled at the architecture.

Temple of Heaven

A few days later, we met up with a childhood friend who happened to also be in Beijing for business. We were delighted that he had a day free to do a little sightseeing with us – and he was delighted to have company. We spent the morning at the Temple of Heaven and opted to forgo a tour guide – in fact, I don’t even recall anyone offering their services here which now that I think about it was rather unusual. Anyway … we purchased a map of the garden area and Buddy was confidant he could lead us through … and he did so very well.

Each year at the winter solstice, the emperor visited the Hall of Prayer for a Good Harvest and sacrificed at the Altar of Heaven to ensure a bountiful harvest. Circles and squares never looked more beautiful than they do at the Temple of Heaven complex. Shapes and numbers have cosmological meanings – circles symbolize heaven, squares symbolize earth, four columns represent the four seasons, twelve columns represent the months of the year, the number nine is divine (heaven has nine levels).

Visitors can stand on the round stone in the middle of the Altar of Heaven (Circular Mound Altar). Look down at the concentric circles around the stone, 9×9. Each circle is the number nine multiplied, out to nine circles. The round Altar of Heaven sits on a square base, which has four different entrances (and each with has nine steps). In the Hall of Prayer for a Good Harvest, count the columns. There are 28 columns, 4 big ones +12+12 = four seasons, plus twelve months, plus twelve Shichen hours (the day was divided into 12 hours).

The Temple of Heaven complex is bigger than the Forbidden City, so take time to explore the park. There are many other exquisite pavilions to discover, grassy areas and flowering tree, bring kites to fly, and you might hear people playing flutes and the erhu (traditional Chinese stringed instrument). We joined in a game of Tai Chi Ball with two young men only to discover they were playing it as a means to captivate unsuspecting tourists. We fell for it but were only too happy to bring a set home for ourselves. It was fun!

You won’t want to miss my post tomorrow, Beijing Part 3, when I will take you to Tian’anmen Square and the Forbidden City.

Autumn-Hopscotch-2013 This post is part of the iHomeschool Network’s Autumn Hopscotch, a 10 day series of posts by over 40 different homeschool bloggers. You can visit the hopscotch home page at iHN for ideas and inspiration in topics like Encouragement for Parents of Kids with Special Needs.

All 10 days of Discovering China will be linked to one landing page. Bookmark it for reference!

A few months ago, we had the opportunity to see Nathan Sawaya’s “Art of the Brick” exhibition when it was at our local science museum. Like most young boys – my little man LOVES Legos so this exhibit was fascinating to him. My daughter loved it too!

Nathan Sawaya is a New York-based artist who creates awe-inspiring works of art out of some of the most unlikely things. His recent global museum exhibitions feature large-scale sculptures using only toy building blocks. Born in Colville, Washington and raised in Veneta, Oregon (My home state, yay!) Sawaya’s childhood dreams were always about fun. He work connects with us because he uses items we are all familiar with … his Lego sculptures captivate our imagination and everyone thinks to themselves, “I could do that!”

What I love about his work is that while his sculptures appear to simply be snapped together from LEGO bricks, there is a little more to the process. Like many sculptors, Sawaya makes preliminary sketches of his pieces. He also uses graph paper to translate these sketches into LEGO reality.

As a train enthusiast with an impressive collection of HO trains for his years, Buddy’s favorite piece (shown above) revealed a remote train depot, part of Sawaya’s ‘In Pieces’ series. The ‘In Pieces’ series features isolated individuals standing in recognizable but chillingly empty minimalist scenes with geometrical design, derived from common features of the American landscape. Incorporated into the piece, the figures have elongated limbs, referencing society’s idealized bodies. Juxtaposed against a desolate, American realist environment, the images are both appealing and ambiguous.

There were several other pieces in this series on display and we enjoyed each one. Using the style and content of the American Postcard as a reference, the photographic elements have been color graded with pastels. As the viewer begins to examine the piece closely, the series reveals its brick-by-brick fabricated construction. This process also represents the direct processes involved with digital photography today. Clear references to pixelation and technology are apparent through the stylized manipulation and digital enhancements.

If you are interested in seeing this exhibit yourself, check out Sawaya’s website, The Art of the Brick for more information.

To say we LOVE field trips is an understatement. I have found that hands on learning and exploring makes topics more interesting and memorable for my children. Sadly, public schools are consistently cutting back on their budgets for field trips and other extracurricular activities. These one of a kind learning experiences are essential for a child’s development and some of my fondest memories from my own schooling. Being able to take field trips is actually one of the many reasons we homeschool.

Tell me and I forget, teach me and I may remember, involve me and I learn. ~ Benjamin Franklin

Isn’t tasting freshly pressed olive oil at the site where it was made, listening to a Native American speak about his ancestors and share his knowledge of native plants, touching a plane that was used in WWII, or walking portions of the Cherokee Trail of Tears more exciting than learning about them in a book?

Today, I share with you some of our most memorable California field trips we have enjoyed this past year.

Lego Fun – Buddy is big time into LEGOs. When we are home he spends hours playing with them so of course we had to visit Legoland when we were in Southern California. While there, we stopped by Lego^® Mindstorms^® and signed up for a hands-on tutorial. The kids had a blast building and programing a computerized robot. As a result of this experience, we are contemplating starting our own Lego League this fall.

Lucero Olive Oil – After trying our hand at harvesting our own olives recently, What to Do With Fresh Olives, I wanted to give the kiddos a taste of the agricultural sciences which brought us to Lucero for a taste experience we will not soon forget.

Nature Walks – Our Roots & Shoots friends have joined us on many of these adventures. Our volunteer guide is very knowledgeable about birds. We look forward to her outings every month.

Lady Washington & Hawaiian Chieftan – We were fortunate to happen upon these historic ships while in San Francisco one weekend.

Free California Field Trips

I have shared about some of our other field trips here, here, and here … but since I never tire of sharing, here are 10 more FREE California field trips you can enjoy:

California Capitol – always FREE. The State Capitol Museum is open daily and offers free tours hourly; self-guided tours are also available. Reservations are required for large groups or sign up for a guided tour.
Jelly Belly Factory – Learn the secrets to how we create the legendary Jelly Belly jelly bean, and discover why it takes more than a week to make a single bean.
Nature Centers – California has many nature centers that do not charge to walk the trails. Some of these are Oak Canyon Nature Center in Anaheim, San Elijo Lagoon Nature Center, and Turtle Bay Exploration Park.
Historic Ships Dockside Tours – When in port, these historic ships are sure to impress. $3 donation suggested
Bohart Museum of Entomology – Founded in 1946, it is located on the University of California, Davis campus. Dedicated to teaching, research and service the museum boasts the seventh largest insect collection in North America, and is worldwide in coverage.
Gulf of the Farallones National Marine Sanctuary – Housed in an historic Coast Guard Station, the exhibits highlight the amazing wildlife in the Gulf of the Farallones, the threats to the wildlife, as well as what people can do to help protect the sanctuary. Open to the public Wed – Sun from 10 am – 4 pm
Mildred E. Mathias Botanical Garden – A living museum, having special collections designed to assist the teaching mission; offers free docent-led tours for groups of 10 or more.
Santa Ana Watershed Association – Offers free environmental education programs taught by Naturalists who specialize in conservation, watershed issues & ecology.
Fish Hatcheries – There are many fish hatcheries in California, including the Coleman Fish Hatchery in Anderson and the Mad River Hatchery in Arcata.
Federal Reserve Bank – The San Francisco Fed offers one of the world’s foremost collections of historic United States currency and a look at cash processing too! Free tours are available at the Los Angeles Fed as well.

Field Trip Planning Tips

Always check out the websites prior to your desired visit date and try to plan your visit around special programs or events. Additionally, you’ll often find downloadable guides for kids and suggested activities with which to engage them before/after your visit.

Though the suggested sites listed here may not be in your proximity, you can use this list as a guide to find similiar sites near you.

Thanks for visiting. What has been your most favorite field trip so far this year?

While in San Francisco recently, DH surprised us with an impromptu visit to the Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain, both of which had come into port just the night before. Both ships were open for dockside tours similar to an open house. We were free to explore at our own pace. The crew members, dressed in 18th century clothing, were positioned at points of interest on the vessel to answer our questions and tell us more about the boats and their lives living aboard.

The Lady Washington and Hawaiian Chieftain both call Gray’s Harbor home. Launched on the 7th of March in 1989, the Lady Washington was built in Aberdeen, Washington by Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority. The new Lady Washington is a full-scale reproduction of the original Lady Washington, which sailed during the Revolutionary War. The topsail ketch Hawaiian Chieftain is a replica of a typical European merchant trader of the turn of the nineteenth century. Her hull shape and rigging are similar to those of Spanish explorers’ ships used in the expeditions of the late 18th century along the Washington, Oregon, and California coasts. It was purchased by the Grays Harbor Historical Seaport Authority in 2005.

Our little adventurer was all ears when he discovered that the Hawaiian Chieftain had been used in the filming of Pirates of the Caribbean (as the Interceptor). When the crew talked about the summer camp opportunities onboard these ships, he was ready to toss his satchel below deck and get busy rigging the sails. The most intriguing of the camps is the “Expedition Voyages Family/Youth Camp” whereby adventurous families will sail the beautiful San Juan Islands of Washington State, following in the wake of maritime explorers George Vancouver, Robert Gray, and Charles Wilkes.

It was a fun little side trip before we had to head northward for home. Before we disembarked, Buddy used his own money to purchase a few pieces of eight. He now carries them in his satchel, along with his other treasures. Upon visiting the library a few weeks later, he picked out an audio book by Scott O’Dell, The Cruise of the Arctic Star. I foresee a nautical career.

We enjoyed the most wonderful exhibit recently, Tiny Footprints by Pamela Cole. I have always been fond of insects and have particularly enjoyed teaching children about the fascinating world of insects and their arthropod cousins. It is no wonder that this exhibit was one of the most intriguing exhibits I have ever seen.

A life-long avocational entomologist, Cole works with live insects to create unique watercolors and uses sustainably farmed insects as a medium to explore the aesthetic qualities of these amazing and colorful creatures upon which we depend for everything from pollination to clean-up. The Tiny Footprints exhibit enabled us to explore in-depth, three dimensional pieces like “Bug Dollhouse” and “Chess Set”. We marveled at her bionic bugs inspired by children’s wind-up toys and the popular steam-punk literary genre

Geneva’s favorite pieces were the table setting and bionic bugs. Jeffrey most enjoyed “Bug Dollhouse”. The piece that was most appealing to me was “Drawer of Discovery” which used Caddisfly cases, Silk Moth cocoons, and Cicada molts. Her work has inspired us to explore insects in art more closely ourselves.

If you are interested in exploring entomology (study of insects) in more depth, I encourage you to check out my unit study, Introductory Entomology. Students will be introduced to this remarkable subphylum through hands-on activities, real life simulations, and multi-media presentations. The six-week unit incorporates more than 10 entomology lessons for kids and suggested extension activities.

In preparation for our trip to Georgia, I knew we would have an opportunity to visit numerous Civil War sites as well as memorials to the Cherokee Trail of Tears. We had read about each of these events in our history book, Story of the World, and were excited to see them for ourselves and to hear the stories (first person accounts as recorded in written form and brought to life in the museum placards) from those who had taken part in these events in our nation’s history. One of the stories that touched us the most profoundly was that of Major Ridge and the Cherokee Nation.

The Cherokee Nation, largest of the Five Civilized Tribes of the Southeast, is a people of Iroquoian lineage. By 1650, they commanded more than 40,000 square miles in the southern Appalachians with a population estimated at 22,500. Similar to other Native Americans of the Southeast, their nation was a confederacy of towns, each subordinated to supreme chiefs. When encountered by the Europeans, they were agrarian people who lived in log houses and observed sacred religious practices.

The only hostilities by the Cherokees against white settlers occurred around the time of the American Revolution. The Cherokees, as well as the Creek and Choctaw, supported the British and made several attacks on the revolutionaries’ forts and settlements. The result of their British alliances was a drastic reduction of tribal land holdings. After 1800, the Cherokee quickly assimilated European culture in their dress, farming, and building methods. They adopted a government patterned after the United States. Their culture continued to flourish with the invention of the Cherokee alphabet by Sequoyah in 1821, producing rapid literacy and thereby leading to the creation of the Cherokee Constitution, the spread of Christianity, and the publication of the only Native American newspaper.

Sparked by the discovery of gold in 1828, Georgia passed a law proclaiming Cherokee laws null and void after June 1, 1830. The Cherokees filed numerous lawsuits in protest, and in 1832 the U.S. Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Cherokees in the landmark case Worcester v. Georgia. However, President Andrew Jackson refused to enforce the ruling, leaving the Cherokees at the mercy of settlers and prospectors armed with the new Georgia law. Their lands and homes were entered into a lottery system and redistributed to European settlers. Ironically, the Cherokees had fought alongside Andrew Jackson against the Creeks (who continued to align with the British) in the War of 1812.

Major Ridge’s home as it appears today. Over the years there have been several expansions and remodels. Plans are underway to return the home to the way it was when Ridge resided here.

Seeing the situation as hopeless, a small band of Cherokees led by Major Ridge (who had adopted the name Ridge after his role in the War of 1812) signed the Treaty of New Echota in 1835, dooming the “Principal People” to removal. According to this treaty, the Cherokees would forsake their land east of the Mississippi and move to Indian Territory for $5 million.

I am one of the Native Sons of these wild woods.

I have hunted the deer and turkey here, more than fifty years.

I have fought your battles, defended your truth and honesty, and fair trading …

I know the Indians have an older title than the Georgians.

We obtained the land from the living God above.

They got their title from the British.

Yet they are strong and we are weak.

We are few, they are many …

We can never forget these homes, I know.

But an unbending, iron necessity tells us we must leave them.

I would willingly die to preserve them.

But any forcible effort to keep them will cost us our lands, our lives, and the lives of our children …

Give up these lands and go over beyond the great Father of Waters.

~ Major Ridge 1836

In 1838 the brutal execution of the Treaty of New Echota began. More than 4,000 U.S. Army troops under the direction of General Winfield Scott rounded up 15,000 Cherokees into internment camps then herded them along the 2,000 mile march. The 116-day “Trail of Tears” began in October 1838. More than 8,000 Cherokees died as result of the march.

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