Washington, D.C. offers many exciting and educational attractions for teenagers who are taking U.S. history classes.
Morgan Hill Unified School District's two middle schools, Britton and Martin Murphy, take their eighth-grade classes each year to Washington, D.C. where students learn more about American history and our government at our nation's capital.
During the spring break our eighth-graders hit the ground running in a week which features the Mall Monuments: the towering Washington obelisk, the classical Jefferson Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial Wall and the Lincoln Memorial with its reflecting pool, which has been the site of the civil rights movement demonstrations and anti-war protests.
Relatively new to the Mall is the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial, an open-air, four-chamber stone testimony to the president who brought the nation out of the Great Depression. The tourist reads the historical and inspirational words such as: "I pledge a new deal to the American people." "There is nothing to fear but fear itself."
Another new monument is the World War II Memorial, which is dramatically positioned between the Washington Monument and the reflecting pool. This memorial commemorates the war fought in two geographical theatres-the Atlantic and the Pacific. Particularly moving is the still pool with its 4,000 stars, each star representing 100 soldiers and sailors who died for their country.
The Korean War Monument honors those 1.5 million Americans who fought in "The Forgotten War." Nineteen larger-than-life steel statues represent a squad of soldiers on patrol, marching up a hill in the very cold Korean countryside.
The eighth graders also venture beyond Washington, D.C.'s boundaries by visiting Jamestown (the first British colony), Williamsburg (Virginia's former capital which has been restored to its 18th Century British colonial glory) and Mount Vernon (President George Washington's plantation get-away).
Back in Washington town, visits are made to the American History Museum, the White House grounds and Ford's Theatre (the site of President Lincoln's assassination). The Air and Space Museum displays The Spirit of St. Louis (the plane flown in the first solo trans-Atlantic crossing), the Wright Brothers' plane and the Apollo 11 space module.
There are also somber notes on this trip: eighth graders, who study the Holocaust and read The Diary of Anne Frank, explore the Holocaust Museum to expand their knowledge concerning some of the greatest atrocities committed during World War II. Students also visit Arlington Cemetery, the burial site of those who have served the United States, including the poignant Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and the eternal flame marking the grave of President John F. Kennedy.
If your teenager is not able to go on the eighth-grade Washington, D.C. field trip, a family might consider taking a trip during the teen's junior high school year when the U.S. History class requires more in-depth study.
An additional recommended visit is the International Spy Museum (advance tickets required), which is appropriate for teens and younger siblings who will assume fake identities and go on simulated spy missions for the U.S. government. Parents will also enjoy the museum with its histories of famous spies from revolutionary war days to the 21st Century: George Washington's spies, Julia Child, Audrey Hepburn and Robert Hanson, to name just a few.
Another highlight is the American Indian Museum. Housed in a building with fabulous organic architecture, it features a comprehensive collection representing existing Indian tribes from two continents. Also rather organic is the food featured in their cafeteria: wild Alaskan salmon, all manner of tacos, beef shanks wrapped in banana leaves and goat soup.
The Capitol Tour (visiting the interior of Congress) and the U.S. Supreme Court while in session must be arranged many months in advance by contacting your local congressperson. However, those tourists who are willing to wait in a long line may visit the U.S. Supreme Court on specified days when its members are not listening to legal cases.
Finally, go to the National Portrait Museum for a U. S. history lesson. On the Second Floor you can see portraits of our U.S. presidents, all chronologically arranged from Washington to Lincoln, to Roosevelt to Bush. But the best portrait of all is that of America's favorite political comedian-Steven Colbert. You will find him near the presidents, but strategically situated---right at the entrance to the restrooms.
Catherine Connor
Catherine Connor Catherine Connor is a junior at Ann Sobrato High School. She writes a monthly youth column for the Morgan Hill Times. She can be reached at cthrnpm@aol.com.
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