Educational Travel Blog | From Sea to Shining Sea

A Broadway Legend Turns 25!

Michael Crawford and Sarah Brightman in the original 1986 run of The Phantom of the Opera. photo credit: Donald Cooper/Rex Features

No, it’s not a soaring soprano, a dashing leading man or an enigmatic director. This weekend, the Phantom of the Opera will celebrate 25 years on the stage.

Broadway shows are a favorite activity of students on our New York tours and Phantom of the Opera has fans across the nation and the world, so here are a few items to note about the beloved musical:

Phantom of the Opera facts and figures

Based on 1901 novel by Gaston Leroux

Music was written by Andrew Lloyd Webber, Lyrics by Charles Hart and Richard Stilgoe 

Longest running show in Broadway history, celebrating 7,486 performances on January 9, 2006 surpassing "Cats"

Winner of more than 60 major awards, including seven Tonys

Michael Crawford originated the role of 'The Phantom' and Sarah Brightman, 'Christine'

Grossed over $4.9 billion

Has played in 145 cities in 27 countries to more than over 130 million people

Phantom of the Opera 25th Anniversary Celebrations

On October 2, the musical will play at London's Royal Albert Hall and be simultaneously broadcast to movie theaters in the United States, Europe, Canada, Japan and Australia with rebroadcasts on Oct. 5, 6 and 11.

In the U.S. more than 500 screens in 43 states will show the broadcasts. Find out if there's a theater near you for the special Phantom of the Opera broadcasts.

Banned Books Week 2011

The Coralville Public Library in Coralville, IA, created a banned book display in which volunteers read books that are banned in schools or libraries in America. Photo credit: Benjamin Roberts / Iowa City Press-Citizen.

All this week citizens across the country are coming together to celebrate the right to and benefits of free and open access to information during Banned Book Week.

History of Banned Book Week

Banned Book Week began in the early 80s when a group from the American Society of Journalists and Authors began a public campaign to raise awareness about book banning in America. On April 1, 1982, a group gathered on the steps of the New York City Public Library on Fifth Avenue and read from banned books. From these efforts grew the movement and the annual Banned Books Week, which is always held on the last week of September.

Book banning and burning has a long history across the globe. From Confucius writings in ancient China and Roman poets to scientific works and Mickey Mouse comics, read this timeline of book banning.

Banned Book Week 2011

Banned Book Week 2011 is being celebrated September 24-October 1. Schools and libraries are planning activities like the unbanning of a Mark Twain short story at the public library in Charlton, MA; library employees donning banned-book character costumes in Kannapolis, NC; and a librarian being “arrested” for reading banned books in Gadsden, Alabama.

You can also join in the virtual celebration, check out the Banned Books Week YouTube Channel to view videos of people reading from banned books or add your own video!

Banned Book Resources

Peruse the American Library Association’s (ALA) list of most banned books from the past two decades and you might find more than a few surprises.

With information from the ALA, this map pinpoints which books are banned where.

Storysnoops—and online forum for parents to recommend and review books for children and young adults—have a variety of Banned Book Week content, including an interview with Lois Lowry. Lowry is the author of numerous books, several of which have been challenged or banned like Number the Stars and The Giver.

This ALA guide provides a comprehensive look at books banned and challenged last year.  

And this infographic from the Huffington Post illustrates the reason the top ten most banned books in 2010 were taken from shelves. And you might be shocked by the 11 Most Surprising Banned Books of all time.

 

Did your community or school celebrate Banned Books Week?

 

Smithsonian Museum Day 2011

Museums around the country will be offering free admission on Saturday, September 24, in honor of Smithsonian’s free Museum Day 2011. This is the seventh year that Smithsonian magazine has sponsored the event. Museum Day encourages individuals to visit new museums (or old favorites) and helps museums to reach out to current and new audiences. (And more than 100 National Parks are participating in the free day, too!)

Download your free Museum Day ticket and find museums in your area.  

Or check out the lists from…

New York City

Philadelphia 

Los Angeles

Chicago

Denver

Miami and South Florida 

Boston 

Atlanta

San Francisco

And here are a few participating museums that caught my eye:

National Underground Railroad Freedom Center, Cincinnati, Ohio: This museum celebrates the courageous individuals who worked in secret to help bring enslaved people into freedom.

Crazy Horse Memorial, Custer County, South Dakota: This portrait of the Oglala Lakota warrior is carved into the Black Hills of South Dakota.

Historic Western & Atlantic Railroad Tunnel, Tunnel Hill, Georgia: Learn about the people—Native American, settlers, soldiers and railroaders—who left their mark in this region and explore the tunnel that was part of the first railroad through the Appalachian Mountains.

National Automobile Museum (Harrah Collection), Reno, Nevada: More than 200 distinct, historic cars tell the story of the American drivers, cars and our passion for the open road.

Culinary Arts Museum, Providence, Rhode Island: From great chefs to the appliances home cooks swear by and the places we love to eat, this museum looks at our history through a culinary lens.

Louisville Slugger Museum, Louisville, Kentucky: Learn the history of the legendary bat and the role it played in America’s favorite pastime.

National Farm Toy Museum, Dyersville, Iowa: In the heart of American farm country, visitors can trace the history of American farming through the toys that represented the tools of the trade.

Tell us where you’re going!

Which museum do you plan to visit this weekend? Any recommendations?

Meet Gillian Smith!

I'm happy to introduce Gillian Smith to our blog readers. Gillian is a tour consultant here at Smithsonian Student Travel and will be posting about her insights into student travel. (Check out her post about Ellis Island.)

Here are a few fun things to get to know Gillian: 

Where did you grow up?  
I grew up in a small town in New Jersey, right between New York City and Philadelphia. As a kid, my parents took us on the train to both cities; I gained a great love for travel—even if it’s just a day trip to the city! We would go to visit the Philadelphia Museum of Art for all the new exhibits. I will always remember going into Manhattan for my 18^th birthday to see the musical Chicago and how excited I was finally to see the show after years of waiting!

Who was your favorite teacher? 
This is a tough question! One of my favorite teachers was Ms. White, my 11^th-grade English teacher. I’d known her since my freshman year of high school because she was the advisor of the school’s literary magazine for which I wrote. Not only did she engage me inside the classroom, but also she helped me become a better writer outside the classroom. Her support made me see the value in my love of writing. For that I am eternally grateful.

Do you have a favorite figure from American history?
As an English major in college, I took an entire course dedicated to Mark Twain. It was the first time I read all of his popular novels as well as his lesser known short stories and satire. The course opened my eyes to a deeply troubled, but enormously witty man who loved America and used this love to create timeless works of fiction. When the first 1,000 pages of his autobiography came out last November, I had to make myself wait until after completing my graduate thesis before cracking it open! 

Where is your favorite spot to visit in the U.S.?
Another tough question! I love so many places on the East Coast from the beaches of Maine to the historic streets of Georgetown, Washington, D.C.! My sister currently lives outside of Washington, D.C., and I never miss a chance to visit her. I’m planning a trip this winter and though it will be cold, I cannot wait to visit and see friends in Dupont Circle and Arlington, Virginia. I am also looking forward to visiting the new Martin Luther King, Jr. Monument. Hopefully I’ll also get a chance travel a bit further south to stroll around Williamsburg while the Christmas lights and holiday decorations are still up! Our nation’s capital is a great place to visit, and I cannot wait to venture down there once more!

How would you describe what you do here at Smithsonian Student Travel?
As a tour consultant, my main task is talking to teachers about educational travel. This includes helping them pick a tour and organize it. I strive to make the tour planning process as seamless as possible for all new and seasoned teachers. This includes building excitement about the tour and helping teachers get their students ready to travel! 

What's the best thing about working at Smithsonian Student Travel?
The absolute best part about working at Smithsonian Student Travel is giving the opportunity of travel to students nationwide. I love to travel and know just how important it is to explore our country. I love hearing back from a teacher about how their trip was the first time many of their students left their state. There is nothing better than getting out of the classroom and learning from the hands-on experience you receive from educational travel.

Star-Spangled Banner Lesson Plans and Resources

The Smithsonian provides numerous lesson plans for varying grade levels inspired by their exhibit on the Star-Spangled Banner. Learn about the flag and its history on this interactive flag. 

The Smithsonian magazine also has an interesting article on the anthem’s author Francis Scott Key, revealing the author of our national anthem had initially opposed America’s entry into the War of 1812. 

For grades pre-K through six this lesson plan from Scholastic introduces students to the history behind our national anthem.

The National Association for Musical Education provides two lesson plans—one that can be easily integrated into any classroom and the other specifically for a music classroom. 

The group also created classroom resources for the National Anthem Project. Resources include sheet music, more lesson plans, suggested books and videos to share with your class and community activity ideas.

The University of Maryland Baltimore County’s American History Lesson Plans includes a lesson plan to help students compare primary source documents about the Battle for Baltimore with Key’s poetic account of the event.

Discuss symbols of patriotism with your students with this Star-Spangled Banner lesson plan from the National Endowment for the Humanities.

Or get your classroom global with National Geographic’s National Anthems from Around the World lesson plan.

The Story of the Star-Spangled Banner

Nearly 200 years ago—197 to be exact, an American lawyer and amateur poet penned a poem that would become one of the most recognizable songs in American history. That amateur poet was Francis Scott Key and his poem, originally called “In Defense of Fort McHenry,” would be set to music to become “The Star-Spangled Banner.” 

 
1964 photograph of the Star-Spangled Banner, Smithsonian Archives - History Division

The War of 1812

The War of 1812—a conflict between the young United States and Great Britain—began for many reasons. The long and the short of it was that America felt that Britain was meddling in its affairs—restricting its ability to trade, seizing its ships and sailors and Britain’s support of Native American tribes in fighting against U.S. forces were among the United States' reasons for going to war.

The Battle of Baltimore – Backdrop to the Banner

In early September of 1814, Georgetown attorney Francis Scott Key traveled to Fort McHenry in Baltimore with John Stuart Skinner to negotiate the release of American prisoners.

Key and Skinner boarded a British navy ship to meet with British officers. The British, knowing they were planning to attack the Fort and feeling Key and Skinner had too much valuable information about their fleet’s strength and position denied the men leave of the ship and held them during what would become the Battle of Baltimore.

It was on the night of September 13 that Key observed the bombardment of Fort Henry (those bombs bursting in air) and in the morning saw that the American Flag still flew over the fort. The sight of the banner of fifteen stars and 15 stripes (as the American flag looked at the time) moved him to write the poem “In Defense of Fort McHenry.”

The flag that inspired Key—that original Star-Spangled Banner—is now on display at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

The poem becomes a song

After the American victory was clear, Key was released by the British navy. He shared his poem with his brother-in-law who thought the poem fit nicely to the tune “The Anacreontic Song.” Key’s brother-in-law gave the poem to a Baltimore printer and two newspapers published it on September 17, 1814. In the following days nearly 20 more papers published the poem, noting it could be sung to the tune “Anacreontic Song.” It is thought the first public performance of the song, now called “The Star-Spangled Banner” was in October 1814. Listen to the Star-Spangled Banner sung in 19^th century version.

The song becomes the national anthem

The song became incredibly popular and eventually adopted as our country’s national anthem. Here are some signifcant dates in the history of the "Star-Spangled Banner:"

1861    Oliver Wendell Holmes added a fifth stanza.

1889    The Secretary of the Navy makes “The Star-Spangled Banner” the official song for flag raisings.

1916    President Wilson orders the song to be played at military and other appropriate occasions.

1918    The song is performed during the 7^th-inning stretch of the Worlds Series. (There is also evidence it had been performed many times before at other sporting events.)

1931    President Hoover signed the law making the “Star-Spangled Banner” the United State’s national anthem.

A Visit to Ellis Island

Tour consultant Gillian Smith shared with "From Sea to Shining Sea" about her memories of visiting Ellis Island. Stay tuned to find out more about Gillian and read more posts from her!

More than 22 million immigrants passed through Ellis Island and its Great Hall to enter into new lives in the United States. Photo credit: Michael Kamber for The New York Times

Growing up my parents greatly encouraged my sister and me to explore and discover the world around us. One of my most memorable trips was a short day trip to Manhattan.  On this particular trip, my family and I visited Ellis Island and looked back at where American citizenship started for my great grandfather and thus my family.

At the time, I could not have been more than 7 years old, yet I remember the trip to the island and the numerous questions I had for my grandmother about her father’s trip to the U.S. and his journey through Ellis Island. What I remember most about that day, however, is the “American flag wall”—a term I dubbed that day and what I still call it today. Looking up at the properly titled "Flag of Faces" the magic of its artistry was not lost on my seven-year-old self. When looking at it from the left, it is a large American flag, solid and unmoving. A slight turn of my head showed that there was more to the large partition than I could have ever imagined. The wall shimmered when I turned my head and showed me hundreds of faces: faces of the men and women who walked through Ellis Island just like my great grandfather.

Visiting the museum today, guests see both permanent and temporary exhibits. The permanent exhibits highlight the immigrant experience and include interactive and audio tours of the museum.  These exhibitions include the stories and names of the over 22 million immigrants who went through Ellis Island while it was still operating as America’s main entryway.   The museum is always changing and adding new exhibits.  After being restored in 1990, the museum reopened to the public and has been open to the public ever since as a means of educating visitors on the trials of U.S. immigration and its history.  

Visiting Ellis Island is a singular experience.  I remember the feeling of amazement when thinking that my family, as well as thousands of others, started on that little island. Though I’d known that my family had not been in America for centuries, I had never before understood what it meant to be a part of the immigrant population that came here to start over and create a different life. Those faces let me imagine what had happened to all the families and wonder whether they were still in Manhattan or if they had moved on to other parts of the United States. (Take a look at this interactive map from the New York Times, which illustrates immigration patterns across the U.S.)

For me, Ellis Island still holds a fascination. As the entryway for our country, it served as the first place for many journeys onto American soil and into an American life. Though I’ve not been back since that summer day, my visit left an indelible mark on what it means to be one of so many families that can now call America home.

Remembering 9/11

“Now, we have inscribed a new memory alongside those others. It’s a memory of tragedy and shock, of loss and mourning. But not only of loss and mourning. It’s also a memory of bravery and self-sacrifice, and the love that lays down its life for a friend–even a friend whose name it never knew. “
- President George W. Bush, December 11, 2001

Around the country and around the world, people are turning their thoughts to the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terror attacks. We are remembering the heroes, the people we lost, how life has changed, and how life continues.

We've complied a few resources about 9/11 memorials and events; online resources and other ways Americans and the world are remembering September 11, 2001. The list is by no means exhaustive, but is just meant to share just a bit of information about 9/11 resources with our readers.

9/11 Memorial Dedications and Events

The Flight 93 National Memorial in southwestern Pennsylvania will be officially dedicated on Saturday, September 10. Former President Bill Clinton will be among the speakers.

The 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero will be dedicated on September 11 in a ceremony for victims’ families. The memorial will open to the public the following day.

The Official Pentagon 9/11 Memorial 10 Year Commemoration will be a private ceremony on September 11 at 9:30 a.m. The memorial will reopen to the public following the ceremony.

A ceremony will take place on Sunday, September 11, at the 9/11 Memorial in Boston's Public Garden. The flights that hit the World Trade Center towers originated in Boston.

Other cities and states dedicating memorials on this 10th anniversary include Beverly Hills, California; the state of Maryland; Acushnet, Massachusetts; and Beckley, West Virginia.

Locate 9/11 memorials by states and in countries around the world.

September 11 Exhibits in Washington, D.C., and New York City

The 9/11 Peace Story Quilt is on display at the Metropolitan Museum of Art. Students ages 8 to 19 collaborated to construct a peace quilt by famed story quilt designer Faith Ringgold.

The Newseum’s 9/11 permanent exhibit is a must-see for many Washington, D.C. visitors. On September 10 and 11, the museum will waive the admission fee. 

Faces of Ground Zero captures the quotidian people of this significant event in nearly 250 giant Polaroids. These portraits by Joe McNally are currently on display at the Time Warner Center in New York City.

Objects from the National Museum of American History's September 11 collection are on display through Sunday as part of the September 11: Rememberance and Reflection exhibit.

The Museum of Modern Art PS1 presents September 11, a collection of contemporary art created in response to the events of that day.

Online 9/11 multimedia resources

Share your memory of where you were when you heard about the 9/11 attacks on the New York Time's interactive map, "Where I Was: 9/11."

Through the 9/11 Tribute Movement people across the nation and the world are sharing how they are paying tribute to the victims of 9/11. Do a good deed or create your own way to honor the 9/11 victims.

New York magazine has cataloged its pieces regarding 9/11 in a comprehensive Encyclopedia of 9/11.

TIME magazine’s Beyond 9/11Portraits of Resilience revisited the people and stories of 9/11 that they have followed in the 10 years since the attacks.  

PBS NewsHour Video Quilt remembers 9/11 and discusses what has changed 10 years later.

NPR's series Reflecting on September 11, 2001, covers a breath of issues from the victims and heroes of the attacks to America's military response and how the events of that day have shaped events around the world.

New York City and Washington, D.C., 9/11 Events

The 7^th Annual 9/11 Interfaith Unity Walk will take place on Sept. 11. The mission of the 9/11 unity walk is to “bring together people of all ages, backgrounds and faiths to learn to respect each other through a framework of experiential education, compassionate leadership and intentional service; and create a world where we are united rather than divided by our many faiths.”

A Tribute in Light is a large-scale public art project that will project twin beams of light from Ground Zero up through the New York City skyline. 

A Call to Compassion at the National Cathedral will be a 3-day event of concerts, memorial services and other events to honor the victims of 9/11. President Obama will speak at the final event, A Concert of Hope.

Brahm’s Requiem will be performed at the National Cathedral in Washington, D.C., on September 9. 

A private ceremony for members of the New York Fire Department will be held at St. Patrick’s Cathedral in New York City.

September 11 television programs

“102 Minutes That Changed America” will air on all the A&E networks at 8:46 a.m.—the time the first plane hit the towers.

“PBS NewsHour Presents: America Remembers — 9/11” will feature a narration of the memorial dedication services in New York City, Washington, D.C., and rural Pennsylvania along with other contributors and journalists discussing 9/11 and the world ten years later.

“9/11: 10 Years Later” is an update of the award-winning film, "9/11," hosted by Robert De Niro.

Teaching 9/11: Lesson plans, ideas and concerns for bringing September 11th into the classroom

As the 10-year anniversary of September 11th creeps closer, it seems like most Americans thoughts are turning to the events of that days. And as we approach this milestone—10 years since the worst terrorist attack the United States has ever seen—educators face a difficult dilemma: How do you bring 9/11 into the classroom?

Ronda Churchill  /  AP file

High school teachers are working with students who may be too young to remember the day America was attacked. Middle school teachers struggle with how to make adolescents empathize with something that may not have directly affected them. Elementary school teachers have students who weren’t even alive for 9/11 and are young and impressionable. They want to share lessons while keeping things age appropriate.

After speaking with teachers of all age groups, the majority has the same outlook. Teaching 9/11 can be tricky and uncomfortable, but students are curious, especially the younger ones. As educators, they feel they owe it to their students to address 9/11 in the classroom and help them understand the impact of the tragedy and its aftermath on our country.

Below, I’ve compiled some links to help teachers think about how they can talk about 9/11 in their classroom this year.

9/11 Lesson Plans

The first article is great for elementary school teachers. A 3rd-5th grade teacher from New York City discusses how to make a lesson plan appropriate for younger students who weren't yet born in 2001 yet are curious for more information. The author lays out five-step plan that she has found success using.

The 9/11 classroom guide is from a middle school teacher. This is probably my favorite blog, as middle school is a notoriously tough age group to get to sympathize. The author of this blog states, “Since middle school is a time of uncertainty and doubt, my lesson focuses on fostering feelings of empathy, making interpersonal connections, and understanding different perspectives about the same event.” The activity is also interactive, keeping students interested and engaged in discussions.

For teachers of high school students, there is a great blog with a proposed lesson plan that can also incorporate technology. There is a low-tech, middle-tech, and high-tech option that teachers can assign based on student levels. It’s a great way to let teenagers combine the technology they utilize every day to educate themselves and then teach their peers about 9/11.

Teaching Tolerance has an amazing blog that is applicable to all ages of students. The article gives tips on how to discuss 9/11 while making sure students are reassured they are safe and anticipating tough questions the kids may ask.  It also has some advice on how to address some of the stereotypes and cultural differences that arose after 9/11 and emphasizing the importance of accepting diversity.

All the teachers that I am fortunate to work with share the same passion for turning everything into a “teaching moment.” With the wound of 9/11 still fresh for many educators, it can be tough to imagine communicating the magnitude of what happened that September morning. That said, teachers agree that with preparation, sensitivity and open communication between students, teacher and parents, incorporating 9/11 into the classroom can teach valuable lessons to all ages. As George Santayana once said, “Those who don’t learn from history are doomed to repeat it.”

More resources on bringing 9/11 into the classroom

Free online resources to help educators reflect on 9/11 along with teaching and curriculum guides accompanied by ideas for classroom lessons and activities.

Interactive timelines to help communicate the events of 9/11 and understand the effects on our country complete with teacher support materials.

From they New York Times Education blog, here's a post by two educators explaining why and how 9/11 should be taught in the classroom.

Museum Resources

If you’re going to be in Washington, D.C. over the next week, be sure to visit the National Museum of American History’s September 11th exhibit.

The Newseum in Washington, D.C., also has a permanent 9/11 gallery.

Many of our group leaders are gearing up to take students to New York City this coming spring where they will visit 9/11 Memorial at Ground Zero. Teachers traveling with Smithsonian Student Travel express their desire to use the 10th anniversary of 9/11 and their educational trips coinciding as a way to not only remember the tragedy, but as a forum to teach and educate their students as well.

9/11 Exhibit at the Smithsonian

As part of the national recognition of the 10th anniversary of the 9/11 terrorist attacks, the Smithsonian's National Museum of American History will display 50 objects from its collection of 9/11 artifacts. Bearing Witness to History is in memory of the victims and heroes involved in the horrific attacks and will be open September 3 through 11, 2011. Congress has designated Smithsonian museums as the official repository where the materials will be permanently preserved. 

Thomas E. Franklin / The Bergen Record

The artifacts were collected from the three different sites that suffered attacks on September 11. Airplane fragments, objects from Pentagon office and door from a crushed NYC fire truck are among the objects visitors can see at the exhibit. The objects will be displayed on tabletops, not behind glass doors.

"Ten years later, we will share some of those objects in a personal setting, providing an opportunity for visitors to speak with museum staff and to have a place to remember and reflect on what it means to be an American today," Museum Director Brent D. Glass said in a statement.

See a photos of some of the Smithsonian's 9/11 artifacts.

Other objects that represent how 9/11 changed lives have also been collected. The TSA recently donated a metal detector and other artifacts to the Smithsonian’s September 11^th collection.

In addition to the exhibit, Smithsonian Channel has created 9/11: A Story in Fragments tells stories of hope and courage from New York City, the Pentagon and Shanksville, Pennsylvania.

Teacher Outreach

The museum, along with its partners, the National September 11 Memorial and Museum in New York, the Pentagon Memorial Fund and the Flight 93 Memorial, hosted an online conference, September 11: Teaching Contemporary Historyhttp://smithsonianconference.org/september11 for K-12 educators in August about teaching the history of September 11^th.