Last week we went to the Newseum.  We got a great deal through a group of homeschoolers, and even though we had to be in DC at 9am, it was worth it.  The  older two took a class on Media Ethics, while the younger two and I started to explore the museum.  There were lots of very cool displays, including hands on exhibits where the kids had a chance to be a weatherman, (or girls) or a reporter on a green screen.  They had lots of wonderful pieces of history, including a watch tower and part of the Berlin wall, and the top of one of the World Trade Center buildings.  They covered all aspects of news from comic strips to journalists who died in the line of duty.  This can be a pricey place if you have a lot of kids (like me) but if you find a way in—it is well worth it.  The museum is very well done, and you can see it all in about half a day.  Some older kids may take longer. 

Below, the Berlin Wall made us think about something we hadn’t before...you always think of the Wall as having all this graffiti—but, it is only on one side—

Naturally, the communist side was clean.  They would not have allowed for such self expression.  I never really thought about it before.  We thought it was very cool they had one of the only two remaining ‘Death Towers’ in the world.  This one, is the only one in the USA. 

Next we were on our way to the ‘Green Screen’ where Malena and Audrey took on the weather.  The volunteers there were just super with the kids.  They had fun, but quickly learned how hard it is to act in front of an invisible screen, and especially be accurate!  Of course, when Spencer and Cade did their version of the news, well, Cade had to hold the microphone...but, since he couldn’t read—well, Spence ended up looking like a mime standing behind his brother!  Poor guy! 

Do you know what it means when someone’s used the ‘First Amendment?”  Did you know it had 5 parts?  Okay—can you name them??? See below to see if your right!

HOME

To the left is the top of the WTC. Below is the remains of a photographer who went in to photograph 9-11 and was killed.  Later this was recovered from the debris and donated.  Very sad.

We thought it was cool they used plants to make the cups in the cafeteria—

Audrey was excited they had an exhibit dedicated to “First Dogs”—I like the room with the media ‘mistakes’

In the interactive section the kids learned about investigative journalism, through this really fun and cool game.  It was hard!