Louis Armstrong

Trumpet player and vocalist Louis Armstrong (1901-1971) was one of the world’s greatest jazz musicians. Born in New Orleans, he spent his youth in a home for trouble children before he made his way to Chicago and New York to play with several different well-know jazz bands. His jazz style and repertoire was unique because … Continue reading Louis Armstrong

Albert Bierstadt

Albert Bierstadt was born in Germany in 1830. He came to the United States with his parents while he was still a baby. He was raised in New Bedford, Massachusetts. He returned to Düsseldorf to study painting as a young adult. When he was twenty-seven, he returned to the United States to travel the western … Continue reading Albert Bierstadt

George Gershwin

Biography George Gershwin, 1898-1937, was one of the most well-known pianists in history. He turned out an enormous amount of music before his life was cut short by a brain tumor. Lucky for us, he was one of the first musicians for whom we have recorded video of him playing. While you can probably find … Continue reading George Gershwin

Langston Hughes

Langston Hughes (1902-1967) is a poet of the Harlem Renaissance who portrayed the lives of ordinary, working-class African Americans. He was the first African American poet to earn his entire living from his writing and speaking. He has all sorts of poems depicting life in his time. You can read more about Langston Hughes here: … Continue reading Langston Hughes

A Nature Study Example Project: Making a Leaf Book

Adventuring We Shall Go… Reflecting back on some of our favorite science adventures, I am happy that we did so many hands-on activities.  Many of our science studies were focused around a kitchen counter, but some of them sent us on an excursion to explore the beauty outside.  One such adventure took us leaf collecting … Continue reading A Nature Study Example Project: Making a Leaf Book

Winslow Homer

Winslow Homer (February 24, 1836 – September 29, 1910) painted landscapes and made prints. Often he used his working vacations to produce new art in either oil paint or in watercolors. Eventually, he was employed as a commercial illustrator for popular magazines. Homer studied art on his own, and he developed new skills and techniques. You … Continue reading Winslow Homer