Hello Pennsylvania

Well on Tuesday we started Pennsylvania. Wow!! There is so much history in this one state. It seems overwhelming to try and cram everything into only 1 week. I think this will be another school over the weekend week.

On Tuesday we were going over a worksheet that I printed off the internet and learned about the Three Mile Island Nuclear incedent. I found it quite interesting that we are watching the current incident in Japan and how similiar it is. I was only 4 years old when the blast in Pennsylvania happened so I don't really remember it, but it was interesting to find out how the melt down in Pennsylvania happened and is giving us a better understanding as to what is happening in Japan. There is a movie called The China Syndrome that depicts a nuclear melt down. I have it on reserve at the library and am looking forward to watching it.

Today we learned about the history of cola mining. How the coal companies would set up these small communities, including general stores, barbers, theaters, a doctors office houses for the miners. They owned everything and rented them out. The miners were paid in compnay script and could only be used at the company stores. This allowed the mining company to have higher prices on their supplies and the miners had to pay it. It wasn't long before the miners were in debt to the mining companies. So they risked their lives working really long days and weren't making any money. They didn't own land or their homes.

Baseball was a popular past time in the coal camps. Every Sunday they would play against other coal camps and sometimes against major teams like the Chicago Cubs. The coal companies would hire good players just to insure them wins against their competitors.

Tonight we are going to have Coal BBQ (the recipe reminds me of sloppy joes) and bacon mashers. Both common dishes of coal camps. Last night we combines lessons and had Navy Bean soup (miners) with applesauce bread (Amish). The kids loved the bread so much that we made 2 more loafs after dinner!

Tomorrow we will be learning about the historical figures in Pennsylvania and the great inventions from the state...including HERSHEY'S chocolate!! Yum! We have bought several of the inventions and I am going to surprise the kids with a package tomorrow morning with them. It should be fun to watch their faces!! I will list the items later along with pictures.

We opened our first package yesterday from Jeanie and her family. It included a map for the Battle of Valley Forge...it was a great resource for that lesson. Chloe loved how it crinkled and made noise when she touched it!!

Well, running out of time here at the library! Will post more this weekend!!