Celebrating those little and big things from the week each Saturday (or later) with Ruth Ayres at Discover Play Build. Tweet at #CelebrateLu
It's been two weeks since I posted here to celebrate, anticipating the big class trip to Washington D.C. and the Chesapeake Bay. Well, we did it, twenty-two sixth, seventh and eighth graders, four adults plus my head of school joining us during the first half in D.C. We arrived home late Thursday afternoon. All, I mean all went well, no glitches, beautiful weather, even a rainstorm is something we all enjoyed being in on the bay.
Late nights, at the monuments and another at the Kennedy Center seeing the National Orchestra, meant tired people, yet we trudged on, sleepy sometimes in the am, ate breakfast and did the next "thing". In every trip, I wonder why we can't spend "all" day at one place, especially in the city, in the museums, but we believe that it's our job to offer students what is possible, and then hopefully they will return again some day. Students got lots of freedom in small groups, some playtime especially before dinner, and so much information from so many wonderful experiences. Here's a glimpse of things to celebrate, including some of my own journal sketches. I'll share more specifically about our field journal work in another post. Now, I'm celebrating "there and back again", and time alone!
One regret: I am sorry that I was unable to connect with Michelle Haseltine. Another time Michelle? Busy times!
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| on the plane, the wire chairs at the hostel in D.C. help me remember that special place, Pogo at the Newseum, sketching after the boat on the Anacostia River, and of course, the White House! |
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| two students wait to get into the simulator-space museum annex at Dulles Airport |
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| We are HERE! |
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| My favorite place. We did much concerning President Lincoln. The 150th anniversary of his assassination was April 15th. We had a tour of the pertinent places, a play at Ford's Theater, visited the museum, too. |
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| Choice of museums was key, and I traveled with some students to the National Gallery, where I noted many wonderful works of art, but this is a new favorite: "Take Your Choice" by John Frederick Peto. |
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| We were lucky to be on the Mall when groups of airplanes flew over to commemorate the 70th anniversary of V-E Day (Victory in Europe) |
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| One could spend a week at least at the Newseum. This is part of the Berlin Wall exhibit-powerful! |
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| On the "Half-Shell" on the Anacostia River-a great day. Students got to drive the boat in addition to all the fish study! |
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| Yes, I did the high ropes course-Yikes, it was hard and scary! |
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| This is one of the days on the bay-so much fun! |
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| They are supposed to be snorkeling in this creek looking for eels and shad, but it was too much fun having the current carry them downstream. |
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| Discovering what the bottom of the bay is like, and holds in the muck-clams and mussels-some not so welcome! |
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| At the camp where we stayed, with a basketball court which was mostly ignored- the famous gaga pit-fast and furious game! |
Oh Linda! You guys picked an amazing week weather-wise!! Of course it was the busiest week for me and I am so, so sad we didn't get to meet. YES!!! Another time!! I'm so glad the trip went off without a hitch. It looks like everyone made some amazing memories!!!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry too, but know that it's such a busy week for all teachers, and our time was full, too. Definitely next time! Yes, the weather gods smiled on us all through the trip!
DeleteHoly smokes that trip looks great. Tiring, I'm sure, but one they'll never forget. I love seeing students out in the 'real' world. They seem so much more independent and bigger than life.
ReplyDeleteIt was a trip filled to the brim, but so much fun. Thanks, Kimberley!
DeleteLinda, so glad to hear from you again. Your voice has been missed. But we knew you were creating memories. Love all the hands-on experiences your students had. Woo Hoo for you and the ropes course. You're one brave lady! Love the painting from the National Gallery. I'll be looking for it on my next visit. I love the monuments at night.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Ramona, good to be back! I fell in love with that painting! So happy that we'll be together in June!
DeleteThank you so much for the pictures! What an amazing amazing trip! Your students are so lucky. I have not been to the Newseum. I'll add that to my list, we have family in the area and are there from time to time. Thank you again for writing about this trip, I've thought about you and how it has gone!
ReplyDeleteIt was a terrific time, but oh, so filled! The Newseum is marvelous, Michele, not really for younger students, but filled with important things to see and learn about. We could have stayed and stayed! Thanks!
DeleteIt looks like you had a fabulous trip! My 8th graders are in Washington, D.C. for their class trip next week. I was actually really happy I didn't have to go (I hate the idea of that loooong bus ride!) but after seeing your pictures, now I kinda wish I were going. :)
ReplyDeleteLots of walking, but it was fabulous. I got to see some monuments I hadn't seen before, so that was good for me, & enjoyed the museums so much. Maybe next time for you, Beth?
Deletehow wonderful that you & your students could have these experiences! Happy to hear that everything went so well!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Jane-long days, but lots of learning and fun, too.
DeleteThis was one high-energy and high-emotion trip. Fun for sure. I am very happy for you and your students that you had such a great experience. My favorite pic is you on the high rope course.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Terje. We ate a lot to keep our energy! That high ropes course was indeed a challenge, but I'm glad I did it. It's probably the last opportunity I'll have.
DeleteI just kept thinking, wow, wow, wow! So much fun and learning here. I am amazed at all you and your students experienced. This will be in their hearts and minds forever. There is nothing like Washington, DC to inspire. AND snorkeling, eels (ugh) and gaga ball. Wow, wow, wow!
ReplyDeleteYes, indeed lots of things going on, and with a few minor glitches, all went well. I didn't even mention learning to navigate the Metro-a big experience for the students there too! Thanks, Julieanne!
DeleteLove the sketches. I'm sure this trip has inspired plenty of amazing memories and experiences for all the kids involved too. Good for you for taking them!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Katie, it was a pleasure!
DeleteWhat a trip! I love it all - your sketches, the variety of activities and you on the ropes course! What fun. Glad it went so well.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Carrie. We covered a lot of ground, and water, on this trip. It was much fun!
DeleteWhat an amazing adventure for you and your students. Thanks for sharing. You sure packed in a ton of activities.
ReplyDeleteYes, lots of things on this trip. Thanks, Crystal.
DeleteLinda, I am so glad that you are back in full force as a blogger. I am sure you have much stored in your memory for future posts. Washington, DC is such a fun place for a field trip and your students seemed to gravitate toward productive field work. It is always a good idea to give them down time before dinner. I was waiting to see your photos of the trip so now I can rest assured that all went well and it was enjoyable. Enjoy the weekend.
ReplyDeleteYes, it was a good trip, Carol, now on to the rest of the year! Thanks!
DeleteWelcome back! I'm so glad that you had a lovely time in DC! Thank you for sharing a bit about your trip, it looks amazing.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Kendra. It was a good time every day.
DeleteI am just in awe! Your students are so lucky to have had this experience. After looking at all of this and knowing the energy level of kids - I would be exhausted! Thank you for sharing your wonderful trip.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Leigh Anne. We do get to sleep, too (te he).
DeleteWow, what a time was had! Love all the pictures, especially those you of, my friend, hugely enjoying every bit of the adventure!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tara, it was quite a time, daily filled!
DeleteIt sounds like an amazing experience! I think about how much work it is for me to plan just a day trip to Madison for my 4th graders and admire your willingness to take on such a big venture. I love the idea of field journals and am interested to see your post when you write about that. I am also impressed with the high ropes course. Good for you! Have a great week.
ReplyDeleteThanks, Andrea. That first part of the high ropes was the scariest part, at least to me. Once we learned not to look down, it was better.
DeleteWhat a TRIP! Sounds absolutely magical and TOTALLY exhausting!
ReplyDeleteLots and lots of walking, which was both good, & tiring. We were always ready for food! Thanks, Anita!
DeleteYay! So glad it went well! I love the National Gallery of Art. What great timing to be on the Mall for V-E Day celebrations!
ReplyDeleteThanks Tabatha, it was very special to see all those planes. The students loved it, too.
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