Homeschoolers week at National Constitution Center

Click to visit their website.

Click to visit their website.

Here’s some good information if you are a homeschooling parent. We love the NCC and go there often.

FIRST ANNUAL HOMESCHOOL WEEK AT THE

NATIONAL CONSTITUTION CENTER

 

Hands-on history experience for homeschool students

highlights the American Presidency

 

Philadelphia, PA (January 23, 2013) – The National Constitution Center invites students and their families to participate in the Center’s first annual Homeschool Week, Monday, February 11 – Friday, February 15, 2013.  Homeschoolers will enjoy the Center’s exhibitions, including Signers’ Hall and the award-winning theatrical production Freedom Rising, and the opportunity to enhance and enrich their experience with tours and workshops lead by the Center’s education staff.  The Center’s first Homeschool Week will highlight the American Presidency.  A second Homeschool Week is planned for June 17 – June 21, 2013.

Admission prices for homeschool families are $10 for students, $6.50 for parents and chaperones, and $5 for National Constitution Center members.  Pre-registration is recommended.  For more information or to register, please call 215.409.6800 or email groupsales@constitutioncenter.org.  Morning and afternoon programs are available.  The Center’s Homeschool Week is designed for students ages 6 – 14.

Daily programs and workshops include:

 

Hail to the Chief (recommended for ages 6-9)

10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

Led by a member of the Center’s education staff, students will learn about the role of the President and the history of the Executive branch during this exciting and interactive quiz game.  Participants will race against the clock to answer questions from a variety of categories including: “Before They Were President,” “Elections and Inaugurations,” and “Presidential Pets.” This program is paired with the Becoming the President Tour.

 

Becoming the President Tour (recommended for ages 6-9)

11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

Following the Hail to the Chief Ever wonder what it was like for George Washington growing up on Virginia’s Pope Creek Estate?  Or what life was like for Lincoln in that log cabin in Kentucky?  Children can dress up like their favorite American Presidents and experience growing up, president style!  This is a guided tour of the Center’s main exhibition, The Story of We the People and is paired with the Hail to the Chief program.

 

Headed to the White House (recommended for ages 10-14)

10:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m.

During this action-packed program, a member of the Center’s education staff will guide children through the ins and outs of a presidential campaign, from naming a candidate and building a platform to creating unforgettable campaign ads.  This program is paired with the Presidential Leadership Tour.

 

Presidential Leadership Tour (recommended for ages 10-14)

11:00 a.m. and 2:00 p.m.

In this special tour of the Center’s main exhibition, The Story of We the People, a member of the Center’s education staff will lead students on a discovery tour of the leadership styles of George Washington, Andrew Jackson, Abraham Lincoln, Franklin Roosevelt, and Ronald Reagan.  This tour also includes discussion activities and a workshop and is paired with the Headed to the White House program.

Homeschool parents also are encouraged to visit constitutioncenter.org/education for a wide variety of standards-based teaching materials, including interactive games and lessons, and the Center’s popular web series, Constitution Hall Pass.

 

The National Constitution Center is the first and only nonprofit, nonpartisan institution devoted to the most powerful vision of freedom ever expressed: the U.S. Constitution.  Located on Independence Mall in Historic Philadelphia, the birthplace of American freedom, the Center illuminates constitutional ideals and inspires active citizenship through a state-of-the-art museum experience, including hundreds of interactive exhibits, films and rare artifacts; must-see feature exhibitions; the internationally acclaimed, 360-degree theatrical production Freedom Rising; and the iconic Signers’ Hall, where visitors can sign the Constitution alongside 42 life-size, bronze statues of the Founding Fathers.  As America’s forum for constitutional dialogue, the Center engages diverse, distinguished leaders of government, public policy, journalism and scholarship in timely public discussions and debates.  The Center also houses the Annenberg Center for Education and Outreach, the national hub for constitutional education, which offers cutting-edge civic learning resources both onsite and online.  Freedom is calling.  Answer it at the National Constitution Center.  For more information, call 215.409.6700 or visit www.constitutioncenter.org.

 

Celebrate Horace Pippin Read-Aloud Family Workshop, Author Lecture & Book Signing

Celebrate Horace Pippin
Read-Aloud Family Workshop, Author Lecture
Book Signing
Sunday, February 24

Free admission 9:30 a.m. until Noon

Pippin bookThe Brandywine River Museum celebrates local artist Horace Pippin (1888-1946) with a story reading and art activity. Pippin is the subject of  a new children’s book, A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin, written by local author Jen Bryant.

The day’s activities include:

11 a.m.    Book reading, A Splash of Red

1 p.m.     Presentation by Jen Bryant about researching and writing her book

Horace Pippin is regarded as one of the most important black artists of the 20th century.  He was a self-taught artist who made art as a form of therapy for injuries sustained during World War I.  Pippin’s subjects include war and biblical subjects as well as familiar scenes in his hometown of West Chester, Pennsylvania. Works by Pippin in the museum’s collection include Birmingham Meeting House III (1941), Saying Prayers (1943), Potted Plant in Window (1943), and Floral Still Life (not dated).

A Splash of Red: The Life and Art of Horace Pippin ($17.99) is available for purchase in the museum shop or on Amazon.

 

PA Ballet has highest sales in 5 years with 2012 Nutcracker

I think this is great news, both for the local economy and the arts. Probably indicative that things are bouncing back!

Click to visit the Pennsylvania Ballet website.

Click to visit the Pennsylvania Ballet website.

The following is a press release from the Pennsylvania Ballet:

Pennsylvania Ballet Hits Highest Sales in 5 Years with George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™

Philadelphia, PA (January 31, 2013) – Pennsylvania Ballet’s 2012 production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ soared past sales goals to earn the Company $2.3M in total revenue, making it their best-selling Nutcracker in five years.

“Not since 2007, when we debuted brand new costumes and sets for our George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™, have we seen sales like this,” Executive Director Michael Scolamiero says. “The Company is cautiously optimistic about the prospect of new momentum around ticket sales.”

Pennsylvania Ballet’s 2012 production of 23 performances, also marking its 25th Anniversary presentation of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™, exceeded its sales goals and exceeded 2011 totals by over $130K and over 4,000 tickets.

Pennsylvania Ballet can be seen on stage next with Balanchine/Wheeldon/Tharp, February 7-10 at the Merriam Theater.  Starting at $30, tickets are on sale now at paballet.org, by phone at 215.893.1999, and in person at the Kimmel Center Box Office.

Spring 2013 Season subscriptions are available at 215.893.1955 and at paballet.org. Save up to 20% on single ticket prices with a custom subscription. Subscribers enjoy the best seats at the best prices, personalized service, lost ticket insurance, flexible ticket exchanges, a monthly payment plan, discounted parking, and more.

George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ is presented by First Niagara.

PECO is a Lead Sponsor of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™.

The costumes and sets of Pennsylvania Ballet’s production of George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™ were made possible by major support from The William Penn Foundation and Christa and Calvin Schmidt.

Pennsylvania Ballet’s 2012-2013 Season sponsors include DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, The Sporting Club at the Bellevue, and US Airways.

Pennsylvania Ballet receives support from the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts – a state agency funded by the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania and the National Endowment for the Arts, a federal agency – and The Philadelphia Cultural Fund.

Founded in 1963 by Balanchine student and protégée Barbara Weisberger, Pennsylvania Ballet is one of the nation’s leading ballet companies. Headquartered in Philadelphia, the Company’s annual local season features six programs of classic favorites and new works, including the Philadelphia holiday tradition, George Balanchine’s The Nutcracker™.  For more information, visit paballet.org or call 215.551.7000.

 

Get ready for summer 2013~make your Sesame Place plans now!

I don’t know about you, but this is the time of year when I start to daydream about summer. The fun and beauty of the holidays is over…….it’s just….gray. Gray, gray and more gray. And cold, and wet. And dreary. So we re-evaluate our holiday spending, look at our taxes, look at our bills, and see what plans we can make for summer. One thing is for sure, Sesame Place is still in our summer plans!

So if you’re doing the same thing we are, dreaming of sunny days and warmer weather, take a look at some of the offers from Sesame Place.Right now, just to name a few–

  • 20% off all season passes! This is a great deal and will pay for itself with two visits. Plus you save on food and in the gift shops.
  • Buy 2 nights, get a 3rd night free. Perfect if you are not local to us, but have little ones that want to see Sesame Street.

And, even though they are closed for winter break, there are still some winter activities available. You can see the list in the picture below, or click it to get to the website.

Click to see all the events.

Click to see all the events.

Have fun daydreaming until your travel day comes….and remember…….sunny day….sweeping the clouds away…….on my way…..