Nature Study: Squirrels
Just a tawny glimmer, a dash of red and gray,Was it a flitting shadow, or a sunbeam gone astray!It glances up a tree trunk, and a pair of bright eyes glowWhere a little spy in ambush is measuring his...
View ArticleJames Abbott McNeil Whistler
James Abbott McNeil Whistler (1834-1903) was an American artist who first developed an interest in art as a child living in Russia. Whistler was born in Massachusetts, but his family moved to Russia...
View ArticleJames Whitcomb Riley
James Whitcomb Riley (1849-1916) was a poet who was born in Indiana countryside in the mid-nineteenth century. He wasn’t a very good student because he preferred to be outside reading books he chose...
View ArticleJohn Philip Sousa
John Philip Sousa (1854-1932) was one of 10 children going to a family of Portuguese and German immigrants in Washington DC in 1854. His father played the trombone in the US Marine band and was...
View ArticleCarl Sandburg
Carl Sandburg (1878-1967) was born in Illinois. As he grew into an adult, he worked many odd jobs before he entered the Spanish-American War as an Infantryman. By 1913, he was living in Chicago,...
View ArticleScott Joplin
Biography Scott Joplin was born in Texas in 1867. His father (who was a slave) and his mother (who was not) were both musical people. His mother cleaned houses for a living, and one of the homeowners...
View ArticleNature Study: Winter Backyard Birds
Birds are so familiar that you might not always notice them. In reality, they are amazing creatures! Keep an eye out for these birds in your yard, and watch them carefully. Pay close attention! Can...
View ArticleNorman Rockwell
Norman Rockwell was born just before the 20th century in New York City. Most of the kids in his neighborhood were tougher and more athletic. Norman Rockwell was not like them though. Norman Rockwell...
View ArticleAmerican Christmas Songs
We’ve chosen some common Christmas songs to share with you. Each picture links to a video on YouTube for your enjoyment! Photo Credits: Bing Crosby: By CBS Radio – eBayfrontback, Public Domain,...
View ArticleHenry Wadsworth Longfellow
While Henry Wadsworth Longfellow wrote hundreds of poems, we’ve found a few of his holiday-related pieces for your family to enjoy. Each graphic below links to the poem on either Poets.org or...
View ArticleSimple Beauty Americans: December
Here are the links to our suggestions for beautiful things for December, with a focus on beautiful words, sounds, and places that are distinctly American and focus on the late 1800s and early 1900s....
View ArticleNature Study: Evergreens
Nature study can be as simple as a short walk in the neighborhood or as elaborate as a week in Yellowstone National Park. Don’t make it hard. Just go outside. This month, we suggest you spend some...
View ArticleEdward Hopper
Edward Hopper was born in New York in 1882. He became a very famous artist who painted realistic paintings. Many of his paintings almost look like photographs. Edward drew constantly from a young age....
View ArticleEdna St. Vincent Millay
Edna St. Vincent Millay, known as Vincent to her family and friends, was born in February 1892 in a small town in Maine. Though her family didn’t have much money, they were rich in love, books, music,...
View ArticleAmy Beach
Amy Beach is one of the greatest composers that you’ve never heard of. She was born in New Hampshire on September 05, 1867. She was born into a musical family, and she was naturally gifted in music....
View ArticleNature Study: Bodies of Water
Nature study can be as simple as a short walk in the neighborhood or as elaborate as a week in Yellowstone National Park. Don’t make it hard. Just go outside. This month, we suggest you spend some...
View ArticleSimple Beauty Americans: January
Here are the links to our suggestions for beautiful things for January, with a focus on beautiful words, sounds, and places that are distinctly American and focus on the late 1800s and early 1900s....
View ArticleJohn Singer Sargent
John Singer Sargent (1856-1925) was an American painter, even though he was born in Florence, Italy and he died in London, England. He painted all sorts of things in different mediums. Sargent worked...
View ArticleLeonard Bernstein
Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990 ) was born in Massachusetts. He was a pianist and conductor who also composed beautiful pieces. Music was a great joy to him, and he listened to and enjoyed all kinds of...
View ArticleEmily Dickinson
Emily Dickinson (1830-1886) was one of America’s greatest poets, but most of what she wrote wasn’t discovered until after her death. She was a recluse for most of her adult life. While she rarely left...
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