Clara Barton's Home Part 2

Hi Sallie here, On Sunday around 2pm, I went back to the Clara Barton House after a great picnic lunch with my friend Sarah and her family. I went to listen to an actress, Ms. Mary Ann Jung, who portrays Clara Barton. Ms. Jung does a terrific first-person impression of Clara Barton. 

Here are some facts that I learned during the presentation: 

• Clara started school at age 3 
• When Clara first became a nurse, she had no experience
• She became a teacher at age 17, again with no formal training 
• Clara went to Bordentown, NJ where she setup a free school in 1852 
• There were 6 kids in her first year of teaching and 600 in her 2nd year 
• She quit teaching because she was being paid less than the male teacher 
• In 1854, Clara moved to Washington DC (called Washington City by Clara) 
• She got a job in the Patent Office and was the first female to work for the Federal Government 
• The U.S. flag had 33 stars prior to the start of the Civil War in 1861 
• The North had about 1,000 more casualties than the South during First Bull Run 
• During the Civil War nurses were not trained 
• Clara worked with male nurses who did not respect her 
• Clara had 5 tons of supplies for wounded soldiers that were donated by friends and supporters 
• Her first battle was at Cedar Mountain 
• Clara also helped Confederate soldiers because they too needed her help 
• Her first battlefield surgery was at Antietam in September 1862 where she removed a bullet from the cheek of a Union soldier 
• After the war, many soldiers named their daughters after Clara to honor her and it became the most popular name of the time 
• When President Lincoln died, Clara couldn't leave her apartment for 10 days 
• If you wanted to hear Clara give a speech, it would cost you $.25 
• It took Clara 9 years to sign the agreement creating the American Read Cross 
• In March 1883, the United States signed the Geneva Convention treaty 
• Established the National First Aid Association of America in 1904
• In 1905, Clara created the very first 1st Aid Kit 
• Clara was not in Gettysburg because she was at Charleston, SC expecting a big battle 

After the presentation, I got a chance to interview Clara. She told me that when her brother David fell off the barn roof and she nursed him back to health, it showed that she had a caring heart not leading for her to become a nurse. Seeing all of the wounded and sick soldiers in Washington City caused her to become a nurse. She also said that it was very hard work at the Poffenburger farm at Antietam. There were so many wounded soldiers that she had to make sure there were enough supplies for each soldier. But according to Clara, there were never enough supplies: bandages, blankets, socks, food, soap and the surgeons never had enough medicines, especially painkillers. During the battle of Antietam, when she was giving a young soldier, a bullet passed through her sleeve and killed the soldier in her arms. She never fixed the hole in her sleeve in honor of that soldier. 

Finally, I asked Ms. Jung What about Clara Barton inspired her to portray Clara. She chose Clara because she has ties to Maryland, but more importantly, to the nation and the world.  Here was a shy woman told she didn't belong on the battlefield yet she continually faced the most harrowing and gruesome circumstances to save lives.  There are few people in history whose actions have literally affected millions of lives and continue to to this day

For pictures of Clara's house check out my Flickr page

Sallie's last day at SJS

Sallie Ann had her picture drawn by 5A today and we hope to have the book bound and sent with Sallie Ann as she travels. Sallie spent time in 5A today listening to the story Hoot and she also helped 5B study for their Religion and Math tests tomorrow. Sallie has been picked-up by her family and she will be going to Georgia over the weekend. Thank you for visiting with us Sallie Ann!

Sallie Ann had another fun day in fifth grade at SJS. She got her picture taken with many of the fifth grade students, she helped during an M&M math activity and she got to help teach about differences between the North and South during the time of the Civil War. Sallie Ann also had pictures drawn of her by all of the students in 5B. She is looking forward to visiting 5A tomorrow where they are going to draw a picture of her. These pictures are going to be made into a small booklet which Sallie Ann can take with her when she leaves. She is also looking forward to some fife and drum music tomorrow!

Sallie is spending the day in fifth grade at Saint Joseph School today and she is learning about the division over slavery that occurred before the Civil War in the 1830's. She is also learning about which states were considered slave states and which were considered free. Tariff-this is also a word that Sallie learned today. She did not know that a tariff is very similar to a tax. Sallie also found the Supreme Court case of Dred Scott to be very interesting and she didn't understand why he was not awarded his freedom. Sallie will also be joining in on a discussion with a Deacon from the church, who will be teaching her, and all of fifth grade about the Sacraments. Sallie also learned a little about ratio and probability while sitting in on a Math class. She seems excited about being here! I hope tomorrow she can do some other fun activities with fifth grade!

Clara Barton's Home Part 1

On Sunday, I went to Clara Barton’s home in Glen Echo, MD. When I arrived at the home, Ranger Finta gave me a tour of Clara’s home. Here are some facts I learned about the house and Clara during my visit. Clara’s house was built as part of Glen Echo Park by two brothers and can hold 30-40 people. In 1897, Clara moved into the home when she was 75 years old. According to Ranger Finta, the most people Clara had spend the night at one time was 25. To Clara, the house was more than a home. The house was an office for the Red Cross and a storage place for supplies. In the main hallway there are many hidden cabinets that were filled with the supplies. The cabinets held blankets, food, bandages, soap and clothes for those in need. There was something very interesting that I learned, in order to cover the ceilings in the house, Clara used the same material that she used for bandages. This material is called muslin and it is sort of like cotton.

This is the front of Clara's house.

Did you know that Clara had a cat named Tommy and there is a painting of Tommy in the house. Tommy lived until the age of 17.

Clara thought that a telephone was important to have because the Red Cross needed to communicate and to stay in touch with those who needed help.

Clara Barton actually worked at this desk

When Clara was 82 years old, she stepped down from being the leader of the Red Cross. One year later, at age 83 she started the National First Aide Association of America.

After the tour, I had a chance to interview Ranger Finta who was kind enough to take time to talk to me. Ranger Finta told me that one of the best resources for teachers and students on Clara Barton is the website. She said that you can take a virtual tour of the house and become a Junior Ranger online. To become a Junior Ranger online, you complete the program and send Ranger Finta your certificate and she will send you a Junior Ranger badge. Ranger Finta also said that she could send resources to your school. Her favorite part of Glen Echo is telling everyone about Clara Barton’s life and accomplishments. Ranger Finta feels that Clara does not get the recognition that she deserves in American History. There are also some primary source documents online. Her favorite thing about Clara Barton is her perseverance. Ranger Finta admired Clara for never quitting and her determination to start the Red Cross. Another great resource is the house itself. The house contains 1/3 of the original furnishing, collections and items that Clara used.

For me, it was amazing that I was standing in the house that Clara lived and worked in. I was walking the same stairs and halls that Clara walked. It was very emotional for me.

Ranger Finta is showing me how they tied on bandages

In my next post, I actually get to meet Clara Barton.

Middle School Computer Fair--- States

Wednesday, May 20th was the state wide competition for the Pennsylvania Middle School Computer Fair was held at Dickinson College in Carlisle, Pa. As you know, my friend Sarah and I entered my project in the Web Page Design Category. Sarah and I took 1st place Wednesday.

Here is a photo of Sarah prior to the start of the judging:


and here is Sarah with her ceremonial check:


Congratulations to Sarah and I. Next up for my friend Sarah is the National Educational Computing Conference where she will be participating in the student showcase. I will be traveling to many different places and the next time I will see Sarah is at the end of June before NECC (National Educational Computing Conference).

If you want to know exactly where I am going go to Civil War Sallie.

Jordan on Secession

Bailey on Grant