Glass...The House that Glass Built

Wow What a cool day Learning about one of the most important aspects of Northwest Ohio History. Glass! Who knew it would bring so much wealth to this area. One of our glassblowers told us that there was once 12 glass companies here in Bowling Green. Why? The Black Swamp was not only a source of wealth for agriculture and lumber, it was also a great source of natural gas and petrolium! All of which was needed to keep the glass ovens hot! Tomorrow we will explore more about glass in our region by going to the Glass Pavillion, which is connected to the Toledo Art Museum. We will meet in Mosley Hall at 12:15 to be on the road by 12:30. Please do not be late. Pack your lunch and let's move out so we can be to the museum by 1:00. We will be exploring the Glass Pavillion and see an exhibition at 2:00 pm, which will last until 3:oo. I calculate that we will arrive in Bowling Green at 4:00 pm. Here's to a wonderful day of learning and speaking English! All of you who spoke with the workers should be congratulated for your effort speaking to native English speakers! I am proud of you!

What did you think about the day of introduction? What was the most striking about the glass studio? Did you know that not all Fine Arts programs have glass studios? Why? Why do you think it is appropriate that Bowling Green State University has one? Get a great night's sleep and Explorers tomorrow is another day of exploration! Keep Reading!!!!!!!

Fort Meigs

Today we had a marvelous day with the guide Amber who interpreted the War of 1812. We explored what it was to be like as a soldier here in the wilderness of NW Ohio. Fort Meigs was our first stop of the day. Amber and Tony were our tour interpreters. They did a superb job! The experience was also to educate students about war in Northwest Ohio. Today we saw a real treasure of history and were able, due to Amber and Tony's generosity, touch and hold some history. What was life like in the fort? Would you have wanted to be a soldier in the fort? Considering That Perrysburg was a thriving city at the time the Black Swamp was being settled, why would people want to settle the swamp? What was the driving force that compelled them to sacrifice so much to become farmers and businessmen in the very dangerous Black Swamp?

The Last of the Mohicans

The movie the Last of the Mohicans is a powerful story of the struggle to survive. We use this movie to analyze what happened here in Northwest Ohio. What do you think about the alliances formed with the indigenous people and the different groups? Did these alliances ever benefit the indigenous people of the Americas? What do you think? Why or Why not?

Touching the Black Swamp...Wintergarden Park!!! The Oak Savanah

Today we experienced abit of what the Great Black Swamp was like about 150 years ago. There was tall flowing grasses, oak savannah, and huge formidable trees.

Luckily, for us, we didn't have the same mosquito problem. Although it appear the Jun Ho had some bothersome visitors : ) At this time of year, the swamp would have been dry much as we saw it today. This was perhaps the only time of year pioneers could really travel and visit neighbors. It is not difficult to imagine how isolated a person could feel in such a situation. Would you have liked to travel by wagon with your favorite horse pulling you the whole way? Would you have liked to have been a farmer trying to eek out an existence in the beautiful, but very untamed wilderness? What do you think your favorite activity would have been if you lived in the swamp? Try to imagine~

Wintergarden Park!

Hi Gang...Just a quick Reminder!!! We are going to Wintergarden Park today. Remember that we are meeting in Lot A to get on the Van. You will need to bring and umbrella for the day. Wear older shoes that you don't mind getting wet. I have a few umbrellas that I will bring. Please remind each other about the trip and bring your Lunch! Also Happy EID!!!! 9:00 am we have a small celebration in Mosley Hall with FOOD!!!! Come celebrate the end of Ramadan!!!! BE there or BE square!!!!

The Little Red Schoolhouse

What a step back in time! The Little Red Schoolhouse is a unique piece of memorabilia housed on the campus of Bowling Green State University. Today we explored what a child may have experienced in the 1880's during the time when the Great Black Swamp was being conquered. What would was a dunce? What did students write on when doing their lessons? Would you have liked to have been a student in a one room schoolhouse? What was the best part of the visit to the schoolhouse? Would you have like to be a marm in the Little Red Schoolhouse?

Don't forget Monday, to bring a lunch and meet in the parking lot A at 12:30....I hope you all have a super weekend and I am looking forward to reading all your reflections and bio-poems! Dorinda

The Wood County Museum

What a wonderful sunny day we had at the Wood Co. Historical Museaum. It was great that many of you talked to the curator and practiced your conversational skills. Our brains are full of information and thoughts. Tell me... Would you have liked to have lived here in the home for the mental ill or been here as part of the poor farm? Would you have liked to have retired to this government run facility? Did you realized that the United States had poor farms? What did you think of the lunatic house? What was it about the lunatic asylum that made you feel uncomfortable and like not staying and exploring or reading?

Aside from all of this, what was your favorite part of this field trip? What did you learn from this experience? Try to keep up with your readings of the novel. The month goes faster than you think : ) Dorinda

The Great Black Swamp

Today we explored The Great Black Swamp of Northwest Ohio. One of the compelling questions of the day was, "Why would anyone, in their right mind, want to settle such a difficult piece of land?" What do you think? Remember the soil is extremely fertile here... Do you think that is the reason settlers worked so hard to conquer the land? What is your opinion? After watching the movie, can you imagine Bowling Green full of water and trees? There are no wrong answers to theses questions. Please respond and we will consider the answers in tommorrow's class. Have a super evening and start reading that book! : ) Dorinda

Welcome!!!!

Welcome all!
This blog is being created to explore our discoveries about Northwest Ohio as we learn to write and converse at a higher level of English. You must respond to this blog after each activity and share about what you liked about the activity, what you learned and perhaps, what you would change about the activity. You may respond to one another and add links to interesting information you have found about our topics. I am truly looking forward to exploring the rich diversity of Northwest Ohio, your temporary home, with you! Here we go! Welcome to the adventure! Dorinda