Virginia Living Museum Teacher ENews
Virginia Living Museum E-newsletter
March 2014

Real World ...Real Learning:  Malaysia Airlines

The dangers of travel      

Many of us have been following the continuing search for the missing Malaysia Airlines Flight 370. It seems incredible to us that in this age of GPS, cell phones, and computerized aircraft that an entire plane full of people could simply disappear. And yet, it happened. Travel across the globe is more possible now than ever, but even in our modern world, travel is not without its dangers. Incidents of piracy, hijacking, volcanic activity, earthquake, weather, and even political tension have all caused travelers grief in the past many months. Your students may be able to identify many ways in which travel has been made easier and safer, but they can likely also find many ways travel continues to be difficult.

Check out these websites for information, stories, photos, data and links related to this month's "Real World ... Real Learning":

Wikipedia's Article on Malaysia Airlines Flight 370

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malaysia_Airlines_Flightt_370 

This site is greatly in flux as events unfold. You may wish to also check with various news outlets for the latest information.

 

Traveler Safety Tips for the United States

 safetravel.dot.gov/ 

Students may find it interesting to discuss why certain rules have been put into place regarding travel. Do these rules make sure safer, or just cause delays?
VLM Program Spotlight: Follow the Drinking Gourd 

 

Grade 3 - 5 Science SOLs: 3.8

Grade 3 - 5 History SOLs: VS.1, VS.4, USI.2, USI.5

 

There may never have been a journey more perilous than that of the escaped slave in the United States prior to the Civil War. SlavesFollow the Drinking Gourd traveled mostly in unpopulated areas on foot, at night, putting them at great risk from wild animals. Most slaves ran away with little or no provisions to help them on their journey. And slave catchers were everywhere, seeking to return the slaves to their former masters. A runaway slave caught by slave catchers could expected to be beaten upon his return...or worse.

 

Explore the many dangers of traveling the Underground Railroad with "Follow the Drinking Gourd." This program not only explores the hardships of the slaves' journey, it also explains how slaves, possessed of little or no education, could reliably make their way to freedom using clues hidden in the words of a song. The program also follows one family's flight for freedom in a retelling of the classic children's tale of the same name written by Jeanette Winter.

 

To make a reservation or find out more about our range of science education programs, visit our website or call our reservations office at 757-595-9135.


School Programs  
 View our full list of programs for teachers and students.  Call early for best selection of dates and programs.
Harper - Pelican Pantry
March 15 - April 27
View works by master illustrator Charley Harper and enjoy art activities in Harper's style. 
Teams count as many bird species as possible within a 24-hour period. Register in advance.
April 19, 26-27
VLM Earth Day 
April 26        
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