United States Holocaust Memorial Museum-*Virtual Visit*

I had an idea of what I was going to expect when visiting this website. I really wanted to tie it in with my personal visit to the Holocaust Museum in Houston. I was able to see many things that I had never seen before but I know there is much more to learn that wasn’t at the actual museum in Houston. Some of the new things that I see here that I didn’t see at the museum or that museums website are:

·      The different language preferences

·      How to teach the Holocaust to students

·      Online Workshops

·      Sample Lessons

The only thing I wish it would explain better is describing the grade levels that we could teach this material to. I am a second grade teacher and I was able to come upon a project for an exhibit that is supposed to be released in the year 2013 for the Holocaust Museum in Houston. 1.5 million children died in the Holocaust so to honor them, they are asking for donations of 1.5 handcrafted butterflies from anyone. This is something I want to partake in but don’t know if second grade is an appropriate grade to teach about the Holocaust. 

I absolutely love how it gives a list of examples on why the Holocaust should be taught to our 21-century learners. Some of these examples include:

·      How the Holocaust provides a context for exploring the dangers of remaining silent, apathetic, and indifferent in the face of the oppression of others.

·       It describes how the Holocaust was not an accident in history, it occurred because individuals, organizations, and governments made choices that not only legalized discrimination but also allowed prejudice, hatred, and ultimately, mass murder, to occur.

·      The study of the Holocaust assists students in developing an understanding of the roots and ramifications of prejudice, racism, and stereotyping in any society.

            Something this website has to offer is it has online workshops for teachers who cannot physically attend a workshop at the museum itself. It provides a video of the actual workshop session, historical and artifact photos, text, and links to related sites within the museum’s website. This in turn will help us teach our students on the Holocaust and provide actual photos to them on how these were real people and how they suffered so very much and how we can make a different in the world to be against, racism, prejudice, and hatred. It actually offers many lesson plans but which need to be taught in order by date of occurrence. Things to use are lessons, activities stating who is responsible, what happened, and why no one ever did anything. I think this is something great to teach so students can see not just the history but what the outcome was based on the way one man thought on a different group of people. 

The Eric Carle Museum of Picture Book Art-*Virtual Visit*

All I have to say is WOW WOW WOW!!! I think I’m in love! I am a huge fan of picture books for children. So when I came across this website, I was hooked. No one could bother me. Eric Carle really took this into a whole different level.

I was able to see the virtual visit of the museum and it is a very good size. I love the art it offers but I especially love how there are Art classes for children. I love how they work individually with children. The art they have resemble the art of Eric Carle, which is really neat. I really like the idea of not just focusing on one author or illustrator. He brought many together and that is where were see his work along with Mo Willems who is also another one of my favorites. Keep in mind that I am writing my experience with this wonderful website while I am browsing it.

It also offers recommended book lists by Eric Carle under the Resources tab. I like this tab because sometimes we always want book recommendations to know whats new or what is something different to read to our students. I think it is very important that read alouds are done at all levels. Just because your in middle school or high school, doesn't mean reading aloud can't be done. I say no excuses! Some of the different links it has under the recommended books are:

·      Recommended Books-Shows Twelve of their favorite picture books

·      Suggestions for sharing picture books with young children

·      Picture Books of Distinction Series

Also listed are activities that can be done with your students. The only downfall to this is you are able to see the pictures of how the activity is done but the actual text that shows step by step is blurred out. I am guessing you have to be a member to look at it, which means you need to pay the membership fee of $45.00 as an individual and $35 as a teacher. I am very much so thinking about joining.

What I find interesting is it has a list of links that are useful for all. I don’t see much online activity where you can interact unless I am missing something. I do like the museum but I wish his site was more friendly as in including games, lesson plans, and letting us see the step by step to these activities. I also noticed that everything you truly want to see to it’s fullest, needs to be purchased. I am not a fan of that. I will be adding it to my delicious account but hope they make some updates and add-ons. 

Science Museum of London- *Virtual Visit*

The Science Museum in London has lots of useful information to offer for educators. I love the idea of the CPD training. Where for a day teachers go in and they get all kinds of experience through presentations, galleries, and resources. I love the share your experiences and ideas with other teachers because we all have one huge thing in common. We are all educators so what better way to get information from someone in the same field as you. Sometimes many teachers feel as though they didn’t get enough information in college to be prepared in the actual classroom. I have heard from many teachers that the information taught, is nothing like what you will be using. This Science Museum has you try out classroom activities and how it is prepared and done. Many of us do this on a trial and error bases but if we can learn the right way to do it so when we do it with our children the first time, you will be better prepared and knowledgeable. I don’t really know of any museums that do this other than give tours of their museum. Just a little quick note, teachers are able to get into the Imax for free. Yayy! Not that I would be visiting anytime soon but just a bonus.

Also available are classroom resources by stages. Basically this this separated by age groups. Each different age group learns something different. For example, I am teaching second grade, so I would choose stage two, which is age levels 7-11. There are various tabs to choose from including:

·      Electricity and Magnetism

·      Forces and Motion

·      Light

·      Materials

·      Sounds

Each tab has a fun activity to do with your class. What I find really neat is many of these activities I have never seen before. I guess it is all because it’s from another continent across the world. I think my favorite would have to be the materials tab. One example activity from the materials tab was soap challenge. All you do is remold a basically looking bar of soap into an attractive new shape that can still be used in the bathroom.

          So would I call this site a hit with educators and students? I sure would! Very nice and will also be adding it to my delicious account. Yay for finding another great site that is useful for many things. 

Library of Congress-*Virtual Visit*

After visiting the Library of Congress, it really shows the vast amount of information right below our eyes. Library of Congress to some might be about looking for books or searching the catalogs. It does so much more than that for every time of person including, parents, students, educators, and more.

            For the teacher, it has access to the wide collection of books that are out there. It as well helps with presenting various lesson plans and thematic units. For example, if you were to do a lesson on Abraham Lincoln, you would find maps, manuscripts, books and printed text, songs, recordings, and photos. This is all something that can be used by the teacher with the students. I also love how I was able to go to Hispanic Exploration in America and how it shows me the First Voyage, Hernando Cortes, Grand Canyon, Inscription Rock and more. Many of these things are hard to get access to and many don’t know where to start because history goes back a long way. Thanks to the Library of Congress, it is all a click away.

            For children, I love the tab where it says Center for the Book. On this link, it described how reading is beneficial and what you gain from reading everyday. My favorite were the three I’s. Interest, Integration, and Invention. Interest is when a child wants a book for information and/or enjoyment. You build on their interests, hobbies, favorite activities or a trip you have taken by asking them if they would like a book about one of these topics. Then for Integration, you connect to other subjects like math, science, art, sports, music and many more. You need to find out what real-world topics your child is interested in and suggest areas of the library or bookstore that have books on that topic. Connect reading to at-home experiences. For example, finding a book on machines would help explain why a toy or clock is not working at home. Invention comes in when you want to create something about the book. An element in the story can be used to make an arts and craft.

            Overall, I love this site and how there are so many ways we can integrate history since it is not being used as much as it should in today’s classrooms. I will definitely be adding it to my delicious account. 

Reflecting on my Texas Travel Study

           I feel so bless to have experience something as wonderful as this. I learned so much in one month and at the same time; I was able to spend time with my number one priority, “Family.” This experience really opened up my eyes to what is available out there for us. We honestly take for granted the resources we have especially as educators. This is a new starting point for me. I really plan to put time aside each summer and go visit the different museums, libraries, or any exhibits out there. It’s a great adventure and great learning experience.

            Throughout visiting the different libraries I learned of all the various sections a library contains. When we walk into a library, everyone goes straight to the books. It is good to know what we have out there and the use it can provide to us all. I especially loved, loved, loved the different events and activities for children and adults. There is something new to do every week and they try to incorporate activities where it includes family. Honestly, how awesome is that. This is something that has taught me so much and I am going to try to bring both my children to the library during the summer so they can have something fun but educational to do. I also have to recognize what wonderful people we have out there working in our libraries. It is because of them that make things possible at the library. Their knowledge and passion is honestly contagious. It makes me want to stop what I am doing and help to make a difference. I am going to definitely explore many more libraries and it honestly wouldn’t have been made possible if it weren’t for my travel study.

            Then we have the awesome, fun, fantastic, adventurous, unique libraries. I mean golly, I can’t believe I had never visited any of these museums. It was a matter of putting time aside and going as planned. This too would have never been made possible if it wasn’t for the travel study. The museums also have events for children and families but that is a matter of planning out as well.

            Under the recommendation of one of the librarians from the library that I visited, she mentioned to me that the Mission museum in San Antonio is brand new which was opened within the last two weeks. She told me they have a lot more new media and things to offer. I however did visit but wasn’t too pleased with what I saw. I am guessing since they are brand new, they still have much more to add.

            Does it feel great to be back home? It does to a certain extent. I am honestly thinking about moving to San Antonio in the near future and is a decision my husband agrees on as well. There is so much more to be offered in San Antonio and would like an opportunity of it all

            So can I say this was a well worth experience? Yes! I am going to use things that I learned about at the Holocaust museum with my future classes. An example is the new Butterfly exhibit they want to open in 2013 so I want my classes to contribute to that. I honestly congratulate Dr. Bell for helping us throughout this journey and for creating such a course for us educators and future librarians. What a great learning experience this was and I can honestly see how it can benefit anyone. 

My Visit to the Central Public Library in San Antonio

Soo yayy I made it to the library and had to find parking and pay for in the library parking lot. Must I say, this was one huge library. I picked a great one to visit! I am guilty as charged! When I walked in, I was very overwhelmed that I thought, let me check out the Friends room first. I confronted a lady behind the help desk and asked her about the room. She mentioned how it’s in the basement. I was like the basement? She said yes that I would have to go onto the elevator and it will take me down one floor to the basement. I followed her instructions and I ended up where needed to be. My eyes looked like this O O as I walked into the room!!!!!!!! I was like wow! This is one huge Friends room. I asked one of the volunteers where I could possibly find the children section. When I got there, I was blown away. You will see the pictures on this post and will be amazed by how much they have. I spent a good four hours in the Friends room. I purchased over 100 dollars in books. Some of the volunteers helped us by taking the books to the car because it was too much to take.

            While we were walking to put the books into the car so I can browse the rest of the library, I ran into a lady who went by the name of Linda. She was surprised by how much I spend and introduced herself as the vice president of the Friends room. She was very, very friendly. I told her what my mission was in at the library and she started giving me brochure after brochure on the Friends room and how the library worked. I asked any questions I needed to ask to find out more about the library. One of the first things I asked was if she happened to know where the Media center was. I really wanted to find out where it was, what difference of it was to my library and so on. When she showed it to me, wow it was really nice. It had it’s own area of DVDs, vhs, movies, holds and a lot more. I love how it was separated from the rest of the library.

            Another question I asked Linda is if there were any programs for adults as well as children. Well that is when she gave me another brochure and it had all the dates, times, and names of what they have available for the adults. Some examples of these include:

·      Free Mathematics tutoring

·      Free Bilingual classes

·      Yoga classes

·      Knit/Crochet Crafts

·      SCORE Business Workshop

It’s all of these and so much more. The only thing is they are separated between the different public libraries. They are not all at the central branch. They also have many book sales that go on as well as free movie showings for families. What great things this library is doing, honestly. For those people that don’t have the money to go and do activities with their family. This is honestly a great place to visit and I really wish I were apart of this library. She showed me around quite a bit more taking me all the way to the sixth floor, which my mouth dropped for. Why in the world would there be so much room in the library. On the sixth floor, they have things like Genealogy, newspapers on microfilm, and magazines back issues.  Fifth floor is for reference, Gov. docs, and Latino. I think the fourth floor she told me it was offices. The third floor is children’s, second is non-fiction and books in foreign language, and well first floor is where they have everything else. Here’s to keeping my fingers crossed for getting a library like that here or me moving to San Antonio. Haha! I had to thank her for her time and knowledge on the library. She told me I need to definitely return and stay longer and I took her up on that offer. 

Before Visiting the San Antonio Central Public Library

          I was so indecisive when picking out which library I wanted to go to in San Antonio. There are about 26 libraries and didn’t know the difference to them but did notice the one I chose is the main one. So I though this one probably has more to offer. I had no clue where this library is located so of course I had to Google it and also asked a friend of mine to double check. I was a little afraid since it was downtown and I had never been downtown before to that area. That was something new to me and I would not be alone so I thought what the heck. I went online and looked at the hours of operation and was kind of confused by it at first just because I saw so many library but I was finally able to figure out which was the main one. Their hours of operation weren’t bad at all but I did have to figure out when I was going to go because I definitely did not want to go during the night. One thing that I am looking forward to is the Friends room. I say this because I am so used to going to the Friends room here in my hometown, Brownsville. The room is not big at all back here at home and I hate that there is not a variety of children’s books. I go so many times to this one but not much luck. To imagine, how big this one might be, hmm here’s to wondering, excitedly.

I am also looking forward to see what kind of activities they have available. Here at our library, they have really neat projects for the kids and they do many different arts and crafts. I wonder if it’s the same thing in San Antonio or do they much more of a variety? One thing I found on their website is how they offer different types of classes for adults. I really want to know more about that. I think it’s very important to include the adults as well as children. After all, it is the adults that need help learning to better teach their children back at home. That is my personal opinion of course. Lets see what I can get my hands on. Don’t be surprised if I leave with the whole library in my pocket. Haha!!

My Trip to John Peace Library in SA

          So I made my way to downtown UTSA and did end up going during the night. I was lucky that my husband dropped me off while he went to go run some errands. Now to find the library, was pretty tough but thank the lord I was able to run into the campus police and he guided me to where I would find the library. I walked for about five minutes and then noticed the library right in front of me.

            As soon as I walked in, the library was so quiet that you can hear a pin drop. As I was browsing around, I came into contact with the KIC machine. I had no idea what it was but I did notice a young lady using it so I asked if she could explain to me what this machine was. She said, “Well you can get a book, make copies of it, save it under a pdf or jpeg file and then make as many copies as you want.” I was still confused by it but I thanked her for explaining it to me and continued to look at it a bit more. Then that is when I decided to go ask the gentlemen at the help desk. He told me the exact same thing so I guess it is what it is. It makes copies, makes it a file and then as many copies, as you want. What confused me about this machine, was doesn’t it violate copyright issues if you make copies of a book into a file and then go and make more copies. I may be overthinking it but I just find it really strange. I found it neat how they also have a scanner for anyone who wants to scan pictures of any kind. The only downfall to it is there is only one for the entire library. Right next to the student computers, there is a small group of about four computers, which are for guests. I asked the gentlemen if those could be used by anyone and he said yes. All I would need to do is let him know and he will sign my on using his password. I think that’s pretty neat to have something like that.

            I asked where the books would be located and they told me it would be on the second floor. So there I went up the stairs and looked around. What I found really neat is as soon as I walked up; I came upon a phone that stated, “Call For Assistance.” So basically, if you can’t locate a book that you are looking for, then you call for assistance and they will help you. I have never seen that before. I may be too excited about it but it’s the first time seeing something like this so it just fascinates me. I came upon a distance-learning classroom so and many group study rooms on the second floor. I must admit though, the upstairs is pretty intimidating. I got lost and really thought I know where I was going. Well I got lost about three times, too funny!

            I honestly wish I could have learned more about the library but the librarians that I saw behind the desk were with someone from the time I entered until the time I left. I am hoping maybe to go beck because from what I hear they have new modeling going on and give tours on Tuesdays so we can get to know the library and what’s available to all to use and learn. I learned that the library is so much better than the one in my hometown. They have so much to offer and honestly students don’t have an excuse when it comes to computers not being available to them. They are for everyone and anyone to use. Would 110% recommend this and really hope to be returning.

Before Visiting the John Peace Library at UTSA

         I was really hesitant when it came to choosing a university library just because they end up being very large in size and hard to find. I was able to go online to look at what they offer at this particular library. The name of the library at University of Texas in San Antonio is the John Peace library. I absolutely love love love love the hours of operation. They close at 12:00 AM but during the original school year they are open 24 hours a day. How awesome is that! The only university library that I have ever been to has been the University of Texas at Brownsville, which is the Arnulfo L. Oliveira. I plan to go towards the night just because I heard from friends that not many people go at night. Then which in turn means I can find parking and not walk from one side of the campus to the total opposite side.

            What I also got from the website is based on students input, renovations have been made to enhance series for the UTSA community along with student accommodations. Some of these include:

·      Display area for DVDs and other items in the media collection

·      Display area for newly introduced popular reading collection

·      New study tables wired for power

·      Integration of new furniture to create 50 additional study seats

            This is something that other universities should take into consideration because it is the students after all that use the library. One thing that I really hope to learn is the different technology that is being used because I am pretty sure it varies between campuses and some are more technology friendly than others. Lets see what I can get my hands on. 

Trip to Wildlife Ranch

So now I am back to describe my experience. Can I be honest here? This was not a very good experience. This has got to be hand down one of my worst experiences. It all started on the drive. Yes the drive was about 30 -45 minutes from where we were staying at. But that’s fine; to me the trip was worth it. Well when we get there, they let us know that we will be getting a free bag of food and asked if we wanted to purchase another. So we said yes because we rather have more than less. I was also thinking we were going to see many animals, so we needed to have enough. We also purchased the Wild Life animal book to learn more about the animals on this ranch as well as see what’s available in variety of animals. Once we mentioned how many of us it was in the car, our total came out to $72.50. I was like WHAT WHAT? Who so expensive? Well forgetful me forgot to look at the prices online, which states entry is $17.50 for adults and $9.00 for children ages 3-11. I freeked. I didn’t mean to but it was a huge surprise on how pricey this visit was going to be. The coupon I had from the brochure was definitely going to have to be used. It didn’t make much of a different but every little counts. When the employee saw the look on my face, he asked if I was a military member, and some other program. I told him no but did mention to him that my husband and I were educators. So he said with that, I was able to get a discount. So from $72.50, it went down to $59.50. Still pricey I say but a big difference from what it was at first.

            We entered the ranch and first came upon the giraffes. They were really neat. I just didn’t like how they were very far away. So there was really no fun in that. After the giraffes, we came across the Barasingha and we were excited but just because we don’t get to see animals like this up close. That is when we started throwing the pebbles of food and they loved it. Then after seeing that animal we saw the Kudu, Springbok, Gemsbok, Waterbuck, Aoudad, Fallow, Formosan Sika, Elk, Axis, Blesbok, Nilgai, Bluebull, Red, Lechwe, a few others. So to my big disappointment, all these animals I just name all look like a deer some way or another. There is not big different between them. So to my family and myself, there was no fun in that. It’s just like seeing the same thing over and over except; they had different color of coats or different size antlers. We were so upset and though please don’t let the whole trip consist of deer looking animals and that’s what cost us an arm and a leg to come in. They we came into contact with an American Bison. That one was pretty neat but really boring at the same time. He just walked and walked and walked. Nothing thrilling about it I guess. We continued to feed whatever deer looking animal we came upon.

            Then we entered another part to the ranch where it stated we would see Ostrich’s. So I was really excited about that one because Ostrich’s are the largest birds in the world and I heard they are also somewhat dangerous. Did you know an Ostrich could run as fast as 45 M.P.H.? Wow is that fast for being a bird. It’s kinda scary at the same time. Now get this! We were approached by an ostrich that was walking in front of the car and walked past my husband’s window. He fed him by throwing the pebbles of food to the ground because there was no way he was going to feed him with his hand. So we were just looking at the bird go towards the back of our car thinking he was going to the car behind us. Well to my surprise, I had my window down and was looking out when I saw the Ostrich look me right in the eye. OMG!!!!!! I got sooooooo scared like there was no tomorrow. I panicked and told my husband, roll up the windows, roll up the windows!! NOW!!!!!! That Ostrich could have honestly bitten me and picked at me for a while before the car window was fully closed. I thought that window was never going to close. As soon as it did, I told me my husband, never again and we took off from that area. Whew close call!

            Then we continued driving while my heart was literally beating out of its chest. We saw a camel but from a long distance so that wasn’t too exciting. In our animal ranch guidebook, it shows that we will see some kangaroos and zebras. Well guess what? Thank never happened :(. Not once did I see any of those animals and we searched everywhere. So that was a major disappointment. We did pass by a llama but that wasn’t too exciting in that it just stood there and was eating. I brought up the Llama Llama books to my little boy and told him that is Llama Llama and he’s not by his mama. He got all excited after seeing a character to a book that he has read plenty of times before.

            So after seeing the Llama, we were going to go around the ranch again because we were told that we could go as many times as we want. I just really wanted to go again so I can look around for the animals that I did not get to see. But my husband wasn’t feeling well so we had to leave. Overall it is not what I expected. I really expected for they’re to be more types of various animals. I understand that not all animals can be at a ranch like this because they are a danger to us humans. But there had to be more animals that can get added to the ranch. So would I return? Not at all likely due to the variety of animals seen. 

Before our trip to Natural Bridge Wildlife Ranch

Now I must say, I totally forgot about the Wild Life Ranch in San Antonio. I recall going there when I was a little girl. I was probably about ten years old. To be honest though, I don’t remember a thing other than I was in a car with my family and we were viewing many different types of animals. When someone brought this up on one of the discussions on the board, I had to fit it into my visits. To find out more information on it, I visited the website online and encountered quite a few things. They had these educational videos of the animals that are at this ranch. Videos that include Ostriches, Kangaroos, Lemurs, Giraffes, and Zebras. This is something that everyone should look at prior to doing the actual ranch visit. 

            I also called just to make sure they were going to be open the day I was visiting because it is quite a long ways out and didn’t want to shop up and then they end up being closed. So ends up they are going to be open. Yayyy!! I also had to give my son a little lesson on how to behave when we are in the car. I don’t want any animals going crazy on him now. You have no idea how excited he is to go and see all these different types of animals. He is more into movies that contain animals and loves non-fiction books as a 3 year old. He always tells me, “Mom can you please read me this book.” There’s nothing better than having your child ask you to read a book aloud to them.

            I was able to find some brochures that had a coupon so yippee for that. Hey every penny counts! Planning for this trip also made me think. My car is somewhat brand new and worried if animals would damage it in any way. I guess that is a chance I am risking to take.

My experience at the Witte Museum

So I ended up arriving at 4:00 PM, which meant that I only had one hour for my entire visit. I had already told myself. If I don’t get a chance to finish the museum, then I will be returning tomorrow and pay the fee since I waited till that time to visit. Well guess what, they closed at 8:00 PM that day. I was soooo relived like you have no idea. I know was able to take my time and did not have to worry about rushing. Even though it was free, I still had to wait in line so the museum can get a count of how many people visit after 3:00 PM on Tuesdays. I did however have to pay the $3.00 for the Amazon Voyage.

Upon entering, after I paid, I walked straight to the Amazon Voyage just to make sure there wasn’t a time limit for it’s viewing. Well to my surprise there was. I actually was there in perfect timing. The exhibit was starting at 4:40. I do have to say though, the gentlemen at the front door who was checking tickets was very rude. He did not make me feel welcome what so ever. As I entered of course it was very dark and very, very nice looking. I first encountered a section with eels. There was a machine that I actually took a picture of, (you can see it at the bottom of the page) that actually shocks you from the feel of a baby eel. So basically, the person turns the crank and you feel the shock of a baby eel, which is not as powerful as an adult. My husband and son tried it and were all excited. I, on the other hand, was not quite excited about trying it. But of course I did after my husband asks me about 50 times to do it and telling me that my 3 year old son could do it, why couldn’t I. I was like all right, all right, I will do it. I did and boy did that shock the living lights out of me. I was like never again, don’t ask me! Boy was he laughing at me. Did you know the longer the eel, the greater their shock is? What about this? Did you know that electric eels could generate five times the energy of a household outlet? I think it’s all so crazy but very much true. So you mean to tell me I can have an eel at my house and put any appliance I need on it to get electricity? Haha just joking!

            So the next part of the exhibit that I was confronted with was the “Red-Bellied Piranha.” This was by far my favorite part. I have seen piranhas in movies as being killers just like the movies “Jaws” for the Great White Shark and “Lake Placid” for Crocodiles. So to be standing right in front of a school of piranha’s had got to be one of the coolest things I have ever encountered. I was sad that I missed their feeding. I was told when I had called over the phone, that the SA zoo comes in randomly to feed them so they couldn’t tell me an exact time. However, they did have a television that showed the piranhas live and how they feed. So basically, they drop a chunk of meat into the water with a rope and hold it. That is when one piranha comes to sniff and others come and forget it, it is gone in seconds. Below I also have a few pictures of the live piranhas I took. Don’t freak out now! I came across a sign on the wall that had former president Theodore Roosevelt on it that states, “A Perilous Journey.” It read that three men were killed and one lost his foot to piranhas. Roosevelt was very much injured while saving two canoes full of people. He told his companions to leave him because he felt he was a burden to the party. Roosevelt survived to see the River of Doubt renamed to Roosevelt River in his honor. I never knew it existed, but I know now. A few other things I saw at the Amazon Voyage Exhibit were Poison Dart Frogs, which I also took a picture of. The Poison Dart Frogs were so beautiful but yet dangerous. In their Amazonian habitat, the frogs diet allows them to produce a toxin. If these frogs are kept in captivity, they will loose their toxicity if their diet changes. Really, really neat but scary too!

            Throughout the visit, I was really hoping to get a tour because you learn so much from them and the tour guides are the geniuses since they work at the museum everyday. I did see one lady but she was more about watching out making sure everything is in place. So I was sad in that part because there were quite a few questions I had. Maybe I can write to them about my inquires. Hopefully they can start a tour guide kinda thing because I think it’s needed. Then I walked into the section where it’s all about stingrays. Something neat here would have been if they would at least had a stingray to look at. I was only able to look at photos of them and learn a little about. I did learn however that stingrays in the Amazon are sold all around the world as pets. This is something that is legal but a shark and stingray specialist studies their life cycles to find out how many stingrays can be taken without harming their population.

            After we completed that exhibit, we went back out into the main museum and came in contact with a dinosaur section. My son was so hooked; he did not want to leave. The neatest thing I learned about them is how many dinosaurs were found in Texas including the Dallas area and mid west area. There was a list of about 20 different types of dinosaurs. What you do is lift the handle for that dinosaur picture you see, it then gives you a bio on that one particular dino and it highlights on the map of Texas where it was found. I would have never known this if it weren’t for the gentlemen who worked there. I didn’t even notice him and made me aware of how it worked which was really neat.

            I was able to view things like the food chain that included grass getting eaten by a mouse and then the mouse getting eaten by a fox. I love the real effects on these animals. I encountered tons of animals, which are all from the Texas area, which is really, really neat. All animals were fake but towards the end of the exhibit, there was a room that had live animals. Some of these included snakes, a tarantula, a few bees which some were dead, and a few others. A really neat experience as well.

            By the end of the visit, I was exhausted! I was out all day and was at the museum until they closed. I was really happy to experience this visit. I honestly never really knew much about this museum. I had heard about it but didn’t know this is what was behind a building. I think everyone should go and try to make the time to visit this museum. It has so much to offer for people of all ages. Children will get a kick out of it but adults will learn what there is and it also gives a small little history of San Antonio. I honestly wish this were closer to home. Museums like this are what’s needed in a city like mine. 

Before my visit to the Witte Museum

        The Witte Museum was a place that I wasn’t planning on visiting. The reason I chose to visit this museum is because I don’t come very often to San Antonio and had a planned visit to be here for a whole week. So after hearing good recommendations on this museum, I had to pencil it into my places to visit. Then what really got me even more excited about visiting the Witte Museum is when I was with a friend visiting a historical museum in Edinburg, TX. After browsing around the museum, I noticed some brochures for various locations around Texas. One of the brochures caught my attention, which had a picture of a piranha along with information and pictures that described the Amazon. I browsed through the brochure and things like, come and watch the piranhas feed live and see the poison dart frogs who all live in the Amazon. I was hooked and knew that I made the right choice in wanting to visit this museum. Things dangerous and rare interest me so much. I have NEVER seen a piranha, only in movies.

          I went online to see what it was about. I wanted to find out if we get to feed them, how close do we get to them and basically what this overall about. I was able to get on the website to find the phone number to find out the hours of operation along with how much the entrance fee is. Well to my surprise when I called, it was Tuesday morning and the lady informed me on how entrance to the museum is free after 3:00 but the temporarily exhibit of the Amazon was going to be a charge of $3.00. I saved a total $32.00, not bad if I say so myself.

         Something else I found quite interesting was how there were photos and information on dinosaurs that were found in parts of Texas. I thought dinosaurs lived somewhere totally far from Texas. These creatures are popular with anyone and any information that I can learn would be so beneficial for not just myself, but for my students.

         I really hope to learn much more about the various animals that are located throughout Texas. I sadly can say I only know of a few so the plan to visit this museum was an awesome choice since from what I see on the website, it offers tons of information. Here’s to learning! :) 

Danish Rescue Boat from World War II Exhibit

         Despite the evilness in what the railroad car was used for, there was still that hope that there was good in some people. After viewing the car, I noticed a boat and I thought to my head, I never remember there being a boat to torture people. That is when I came upon the stone that had some information on what this boat was used for and how it helped save thousands of lives.
        This boat was used for a 3-week period during the year 1943. Christians in Denmark risked their own lives to save more than 7,200 Jews from almost certain execution at the hands of Nazi Germany. The boat has been intentionally placed right next to the railroad car so it could teach students and visitors, the importance of each individual’s responsibility to act when confronted with injustice. The railroad car, tells of the evil committed by individual people to their neighbors. It reminds visitors of the horrible things that occurred while the world stayed idly who did little, or nothing at all. So by placing the boat next to the railroad car, visitors are able to learn of the heroic efforts of good people who refused to be bystanders and did the right thing, even at the risk of their own lives. Honestly why weren’t there more people out there like that? They could have formed something to go against Hitler. Then again he had a lot of power. It makes you think, if I were living in that time period, what would have happened? Would I have been able to withstand the work that was demanded of me? Would I actually eat the food that was served? Would I have tried to escape? Maybe switch it the other way around. If I was on the German side, I know I would have been against Hitler. I wonder how I would have helped. Even if you just saved at least one person. Saving one person is like saving many because you would have been able to do what you can to help those victims out.
        This authentic fishing boat was 7.1 feet long, 13.9 feet wide and 5.7 feet deep. So what happened was in the first few days of October 1943, when the Germans began a nationwide action to round up all Danish Jews for deportation to the concentration camps. Six percent of Danish Jews were captured, but Denmark’s citizens revolted and helped 7,200 make it safely to Sweden along with 700 non-Jewish relatives. The town of Gilleleje’s own 500 households cared for hundreds of refugees hiding them in attics of churches before ferrying them across to Höganäs in Sweden. Sadly to say, the Nazis eventually stormed the church and that is when the ferrying of innocent victims was put to a stop. Makes me happy to know that there are still those people who put their lives at risks for other people. The world is full of them but we still have that handful of people who still think nothing of the railroad car. It’s really sad but true.

World War II Holocaust Railcar Exhibit

After viewing the entire museum on the inside, as I was told by one of the museum members, that there are also a few other exhibits for me to view outside. I had no idea what she was talking about other than it having something to do with the Holocaust. As I walked down, I passed a sign that read:

“Railroads, using more than 30,000 cars, were essential to the killing process. More than 3 million innocent victims from all over Europe were transported to their deaths by the railroad system. We had no idea where we were going or where they were taking us.”      
-Mady Deutsch-Holocaust Survivor-Currently resides in Houston, TX

I was able to physically view a relic of the railroad car that was used during the Holocaust. It was the exact same type of car but not the exact one being used at that time if that makes any sense. Words cannot express how that made me feel. As I entered the train, my stomach turned in knots and I had an uneasy feeling by just standing in there. Just to know that about 200 people were forced into one railroad car just amazes me. How did they do it? There were two really small windows and that was about it. How did people use the restroom, how did they move, how could they function without food/water, how could they even breathe? Then to know that they were being taken to a place where it’s either work or die. That’s even if they were selected to work at these camps because the elderly and babies were right away killed, either instantly or brutally. The Holocaust Museum Houston is part of a handful of museums from around the world that can give visitors an authentic physical reference point from which to learn the horrors that victims of Nazi persecution endured, which makes me feel that I was really experiencing something. This railroad car was an internationally recognized symbol of evil and oppression, which was relocated from Germany to Houston, Texas to be transformed into a monument to hope that humanity may one day be free of hatred, prejudice and discrimination.

This 25.7 foot long car was originally built to haul cattle and grain. Historical estimates that 3 million Jewish people were taken to their deaths by train. Most trains had about 50 cars which could hold anywhere between 50-200 depending on where they were in use. Trips sometimes took days to complete and many died en route. During winter, these victims were exposed to freezing temperatures and during summer, they endured suffocating heat and stench. Almost all cars have fallen into despair which basically means they are either not traceable or they have been destroyed.           

The railroad system was something you definitely did not want to know anything about. I see the evil in them, which is why I felt what I felt when walking into one. What a learning experience that was.