In December and January, the eighth grade took two field trips to end their Literature units. In December, following the study of Evangeline, The Rainy Day, and The Midnight Ride of Paul Revere by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow, we visited the Wadsworth-Longfellow House in Portland. The Wadsworth-Longfellow House is owned by the Maine Historical Society. The house was decorated for Christmas like Henry Wadsworth Longfellow would have had during his childhood. We learned the history of the house and its occupants, including Henry's sister, Anne who was the last owner of the house. She kept the house as it was during Henry's life and willed it to the Historical Society. The Historical Society also had an exhibit of the History of Electricity in Maine, which we also visited.
After Christmas vacation, we visited the Victoria Mansion in Portland as a culmination of our Christmas unit reading A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens. We saw how the very wealthy Victorians decorated their houses and celebrated Christmas. We also made orange and clove pomanders.
Our visits provide us with a greater understanding of times and lives of our authors and readings.
- Sue McCuller, 8th Grade Teacher
