Memorial Models

This year in reading the kids had to write a paper on a memorial

 and make a model of that memorial.

Xander chose to do the USS Arizona. 

Excerpt from Xander's report:

"I believe that this memorial is very important to the Navy and all military personnel who are serving and have served our country. In my opinion, this memorial was made to help everyone remember the devastating effects that war can have. What happened on December 7,1941 in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii was a tragedy never to be forgotten."  

I think his came our really great! The cellophane "water" on top has a rainbow sheen to it which is especially fitting since the battleship to this day continues to leak oil.

Alyssa chose one that was not on the list, but we had visited!
This is the Balto Memorial in Central Park. 

This project weighed a ton! Okay well not a ton, but I'd say at least 15lbs! Thankfully there is no shortage of rocks in our yard! Great job Lissy!

For years we have visited the statue and taken a pictures. 

Who knew it would actually be useful for a report some day?! 

Here is a little tidbit from Alyssa's paper about Balto and the sled dogs:

"On January 20,1925 the town of Nome, Alaska sent out an urgent telegram that said they needed the antitoxin for an outbreak of the disease Diphtheria among the children.  Trains did not travel that far north and the only plane available had a frozen engine. So the best chance at getting the medicine across the icy tundra was by sled dogs. Twenty different musher teams raced over 647 miles for a total of eight exhausting days to get the medicine to the children. Balto was chosen as the lead dog for the final stretch of the journey.  Balto led his team through strong winds that tipped the sled over, dashed through reindeer, and ran in temperatures fifty degrees below zero.  On February 2,1925 the final team arrived at 5:30 in the morning and the town was saved!  Balto was a true hero to the town."

Now we actually know what it is all about!