Posts Tagged ‘Smithsonian’

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Headless Horseman Pursuing Ichabod Crane Artwork!

October 27th, 2012

Hi! It’s Saturday, October 27, 2012 and time for Art at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

Smithsonian American Art Museum

Age Range: 9 and up (with parental supervision)

The Smithsonian American Art Museum offers an interactive look at a classic painting titled, The Headless Horseman Pursuing Ichabod Crane by John Quidor. The painting was inspired by the famous short story, The Legend of Sleepy Hollow, written by Washington Irving.

When you get to the website roll your cursor over the painting to see excerpts from the story that the painting depicts. You’ll see Ichabod Crane, wild-eyed in fear, as he’s pursued by the headless horseman. The horseman carries his “head” (a green pumpkin) as he chases Crane on horseback through a forest of twisted tree branches. It illustrates the frightening tale perfectly.

If you’re unfamiliar with the short story, you can read The Legend of Sleepy Hollow by Washington Irving online for free at Project Gutenberg.

You can also download an audio version (mp3) of The Legend of Sleepy Hollow for free at LibriVox.   

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Which Artists Share Your Birthday?

September 10th, 2012

Hi!  It’s Saturday, September 8, 2012 and time for Art at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:

Smithsonian American Art Museum: Which Artists Share Your Birthday?

Age Range: All (with parental supervision)

The Smithsonian American Art Museum offers this free, interactive tool that let’s you find out what artists share your birthday – plus, you can learn more about them and see some of their work!

When you get to the website, just follow the instructions to enter the month, day, and year of your birth. Click “Go” and a new page opens with a menu of artists born on your birthday.

Each artist’s name is linked to a page that provides some basic information about them – and in some cases you can read an extensive biography. Plus, you can click on “Works in the Collection” to see pictures of their artwork that are housed at the museum.

You may not recognize the names of the artists who share your birthdate, but it’s fun to get to know them through this activity. It may springboard you to all kinds of art appreciation education.

Note: Art is in the eye of the beholder. Therefore, parents (as always) should preview the art to determine suitability of content, and supervise all Internet access.

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Online Art Adventure with “The Root Monster”!

June 9th, 2012

Hi!  It’s Saturday, June 9, 2011 and time for Art at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
Smithsonian Art Museum: Meet Me at Midnight

Age Range: 7-12 (but fun for all with parental supervision)

The Smithsonian American Art Museum offers this interactive online art adventure that takes kids on a midnight journey through the museum’s art collection. Children are introduced to American art and artists and learn art terms and concepts through a fun game.

When you get to the site, the animated presentation will begin. You’ll learn about the dreaded “Root Monster,” a work of art that comes alive and wreaks havoc in the galleries overnight. The “Root Monster” has a treasure chest that includes works of art. Each piece of art in the treasure chest takes you on a different adventure to right the mischief the “Root Monster” causes. Through the adventures children will learn about:

  • Sculpture
  • Landscape
  • Light

Plus, in each adventure children solve puzzles or artist-match games that teach them about media, technique, design, purpose, and culture.

Before starting the game, it is very helpful to read both the “Kids Activity Guide” as well as the “Parents and Educators Guide” to see what content and artwork are featured in the online galleries. You’ll find them on a small menu bar below the presentation screen. Use the information to spark discussion.

 

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Social Studies – Africa!

April 26th, 2012

Hi!  It’s Thursday, April 26, 2012 and time for Social Sciences at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
Smithsonian Museum of Natural History: African Voices

Age Range: 9 and up (approximately, with parental supervision)

The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History sponsors this website as a companion to a permanent exhibit on the influence of Africa’s countries and people on global history and culture. In this multi-media virtual exhibit you can explore Africa’s history and culture though art objects and textiles and enjoy video and sound clips that include interviews, folk tales, songs, and oral epics that are part of Africa’s rich cultural heritage.

When you get to the  site you’ll see a scrolling menu on the right side of your screen that includes:

*History – Follow an interactive timeline that explores Africa’s history from ancient to modern times including the Nile Valley, Slave Trade, Colonialism, South Africa, and the continent’s tragedies and triumphs.

*Themes – Explore Africa’s diversity, its environment, and people through museum collections that tell evocative stories. Watch and hear African’s comment on their history and culture including literature, proverbs, and music. Themes include:

  • Wealth in Africa
  • Market Crossroads
  • Working In Africa
  • Living in Africa
  • Kongo Crossroads
  • Global Africa

You’ll also find a photo-exhibit that explores African religions and carvings of various deities. Don’t miss the “Learning Center” where you’ll find links to further learning materials about Africa on the Web. 

 

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The History & Art of Making Sweethearts Candy!

February 11th, 2012

Hi!  It’s Saturday, February 11, 2012 and time for Electives at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
Smithsonian: History of Sweetheart Candies

Age Range: All (with parental supervision)

The Smithsonian recognizes “Sweetheart Candies” as a cultural icon and offers a terrific article on the history of the little Valentine confections. When you’ve finished reading, be sure to click on the link near the top of the page that says, “Ten Out-of-the-Ordinary Valentine’s Day Customs.” It’s sure to ignite a family discussion! (Parents, as always, should preview to determine suitability of content.)

Then, take a virtual field trip to the Necco’s Candy factory to see how their conversational sweethearts are made. Here’s the link:

Necco: Virtual Plant Tour of Sweetheart Candy Factory

You can make fun Valentine crafts with candy conversation hearts. At CraftTestDummies.com you’ll find links to some fun ideas – like Valentine Bingo Cards!. Note: I didn’t review the linked sites. Parents please preview and supervise all Internet use.

 

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See How A Cotton Gin Works!

December 9th, 2011

Hi!  It’s Friday, December 9, 2011 and time for a Virtual Field Trip at ClickSchooling!

Recommended Website:
YouTube: Learning About the Cotton Gin

Age Range: 9 and up (approximately, with parental supervision)

Eli Whitney, inventor of the cotton gin that automated separating cotton seeds from cotton fiber, was born on December 8, 1765. At this YouTube website you can learn about Eli Whitney and the history of the cotton gin as you watch a video demonstration of a cotton gin by a volunteer at the Smithsonian Museum of American History.

Next, visit the Eli Whitney Museum website where you’ll discover that Mr. Whitney manufactured firearms as well. When you get to the site you can learn about: 

  • The Inventor & His Family
  • Whitney’s Firearms Factory
  • The Cotton Gin
  • Read Whitney’s Memoir

You can also see an animated diagram of Whitney’s cotton gin.  

If this peaks your interest, you can see an overview of how a modern cotton gin works, displayed through colorful illustrations, photographs, and interesting text at the U.S. Department of Agriculture website.

 

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