In the 2003-4 School Year (which we’re still trying to get finished up by posting a few of the field trips we had photos from), we studied about light in a KONOS Unit. We studied about man-made lights, God-made lights, rainbows, wavelengths, lighthouses, bioluminescence and more. We had other Konos users from around the United States send us postcards from lighthouses in their areas and mapped them. We even made our own little lighthouse (although we didn’t add a real light to it).
We love to take field trips. I’m not sure who loves them more, Daddy and I – or the kids!?! I did some research online and learned that the only lighthouse within driving distance to us (at the time we were living in Houston) was Bolivar Point.
The great thing about Bolivar is it’s wonderful, touching history. Bolivar is responsible for protecting many people from the great storm that laid waste to Galveston in 1900. We visited the site, which is now privately owned, and were able to walk up to the light and look inside it’s dark, spooky, rusty windows… but you can’t really see inside clearly – a lot is left to the imagination. It was creepy to think of having to climb into it and sit on the stairs while you heard the ocean and hurricane ravage the island outside… wondering if you would be alive come daybreak. It was hard to imagine 61 people on it’s thin, inner spiraling staircase; as they wept, holding hands in pitch darkness as the raging storm claimed so many lives. The lighthouse keeper was said to have saved 125 people from certain death in that storm. Afterwards, he took care of them and fed them for a while since most of their homes were destroyed.
We discussed Bolivar’s history and enjoyed seeing it twinkle in the dusk from across the waters as we drove. It looked like it was lighting up that night – maybe they turned it on for our benefit because we knocked on the door and asked if we could go on the property to see it… but I have heard that it is not in operation. I’m glad that someone is taking care of this Galveston icon that was so important in Texas History.
Here are a few other links you might enjoy:
Story of the Bolivar Lighthouse – CrystalBeach.com
Texas lighthouse site – Texas Lights
Portrait of Bolivar Light – Randy Welborn Studio
We love the Bolivar light and those are great photos.
Did you take the ferry out there?
Sometimes we ride the ferry for fun, It’s best free thing to do on the Island, imho
My father grew up in Cuero, Texas, where there are houses that were once in Indianola, but were disassembled and reassembled in Cuero. The pieces were actually numbered as they were disassembled, for easy future reassembly.
PJ – I have taken the ferry before. I always enjoy that. I love to feed the gulls and take photos of them up close. 🙂
Douglas – I am not sure that I’ve ever been to Cuero, TX… but then, it’s a pretty big state. I can’t wait to do our geography USA States Unit, our Flat Stanley project, and Texas History. I love learning about states and any type of history, be it local or world.
Heather, as always I love reading about your adventures. Your love of TX and so much going on there makes me want to move from FL to TX! Anyway, we are looking for people to do the Flat Stanley project with so if you need someone in Orlando, we would love to do it along with you and the kids. My son Nick will be in 3rd grade so I enjoy reading about your KONOS activities. You are a huge reason why I decided to go KONOS! Thanks again and may God bless you richly today. Sue in Orlando
Thanks so much, Sue. We would love to do the Flat Stanley with you guys. Kaden is going into 4th Grade next year, and Morgan is going into 3rd. I did some planning this morning for the last two weeks of our Seasons Unit and then we’ll be on vacation in Texas for a week. I have a friend that just moved from Texas to Florida and loves it there… so I don’t think that you should have any problem finding things to love about Florida also.
I’m not sure when we’ll be able to start the States Unit. I want to cover the last few units in Volume 1 next year first… and then we’ll probably do the Revolution and Civil War next… and possibly the following year, we’ll start our States Unit (which will take most of the year) – and will include a month on Texas History.
We’re starting with Attentiveness next Fall (Sept. 1st). I still have most of Honor, Patience and Trust to get done also (minus some sub-units). Then it’s off to Volume II or III. There’s just so much to do and so little time!
So, how do you decide which KONOS units to do in what order? Are you just going in Volume order and finishing Vol 1 before moving on to the rest? That is my problem with getting started. I did buy EVERYTHING Konos had available but have only done Kings/Queens with our co-op in the Spring so far. I don’t know where to start! We are also going to do the entire Abeka curriculum (except the readers and reading stuff) along with Konos. Thanks for your guidance! I appreciate it. sue in Orlando FL
Sue – I talked some about how I decide on what to pick in my KONOS Planning for Dummies Post. However, for the sake of simplicity, I really am trying to get Volume 1 covered completely next year to say I’ve covered everything in it. Thinking about it rationally, though… my kids are in 4th and 3rd. That leaves me 4 and 5 years respectively to cover all of Volume II and III. At the rate I’ve gone with Volume 1, I’ll need summers too! I would highly suggest mapping the whole 8 years out in light pencil to see what kind of time frame you are up against.
I love this verse:
Psalm 90:12 – Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
I feel the fleeting vapor of time evaporating all around me. I have to remind myself that God equips the called… because I feel wholy inadequate for the job! I’m right there with the large majority of homeschool mothers… having to rely on Grace and GOD’S wisdom daily.
What a great story! Thanks for linking me to it. The Galveston hurricane of 1900 will be the first episode of the series, which will start tomorrow night.