Quote of the Day: Hope and the future for me are not in lawns and cultivated fields, not in towns and cities, but in the impervious and quaking swamps.
From the essay “Walking” by Henry David Thoreau
I went on an overnight fieldtrip with my two 4th graders and their classmates. We were approximately 4 teachers, 90 (or so) students, 45 chaperones including Moms AND Dads and a few Grandpas.
Here’s what we needed for two days and one night. (I left the kitchen sink at home.)
We played team-building and problem-solving games with great instructors.
Learned how to used weapons and tools from long ago.
Tested our strength and bravery on the climbing wall. When the instructor unlocked this door, it was like we were walking into Willie Wonka’s World of Wonder and Delight. The kids’ eyes sparkled. I saw pure joy.
Hiked to the top of a hill, then walked up all these steps to a lookout.
Except for me. I have acute acrophobia.
My boy made it to the top. His twin brother was up there with a different group. Thanks for the pics, boys!
Thanks to the great teachers who made this possible. I am so grateful that they encouraged me to accompany my boys on this fieldtrip. I was a little worried about the overnight part. I need my rest. But, the kids were great. Most of them slept pretty well. I was in charge of tucking in a group of girls. So, naturally, I brought along a few good books. We read Click, Clack, Moo, Cows that Type by Doreen Cronin, The True Story of the 3 Little Pigs by A. Wolf (Jon Scieszka), and The Sneetches by Dr. Seuss. I pulled out our favorites, but do you know what they asked for when I knocked on the door? One that I‘d written. I’ve shared a few of my short stories for kids with them through their years of elementary school with my boys. They told me that those were the ones they liked the best. (That was totally worth any loss of sleep and sore muscles from hiking.) Thanks, Girls!
Fourth graders, teachers, parents, and instructors, You’re all Rock Stars to me!
Journaling Prompt: Describe a fieldtrip experience. There are ones that went great, and then there are the ones that produce good stories that we laugh about years later…
What a fun time! It looks like a great bunch of kids. I love to walk so I’d like that hiking part. I don’t think I’d try the wall climbing, but I know that’s pretty popular with the kids.
Have a great weekend.
Thanks, Joanne. They are a strong and courageous bunch.
Looks like you had a great time. Great pictures, too. 🙂
Thanks, Sarahjayne!
Medal of honor goes to all those chaperones! I am so not that brave!
But it looks like a fun time was had by all — and congrats on your fans! They can say they knew you when!
Mary, loved that the girls requested your books. When we have an emotional attachment to the author, it’s a very powerful force. I can’t wait to share more about my own experiences with that from the weekend. Thought so much about you. Glad you had a nice time with the kids.
What school has field trips like that? too neat.
I remember being on a girl scout campout w/ my oldest…that was a fun night. and, I’ve done lots of regular run of the mill day field trips.
some day those opportunities will be gone .. so we need to take them while they are here, don’t you think?
I love your account of bedtime stories with the girls. Nothing like cultivating some young fans! A nice boost, huh?
Looks like a fun trip!
BTW, I have an award for you over at my blog.
Mary, have you read “Teach Like Your Hair’s on Fire”? You NEED to, because your hair is on fire!! And I love it!!!
Hmmm. I once took Heartland community college humanities students to Chicago to tour the Art Institute. Several of my central Illinois farm kids had NEVER been two hours away to CHI-TOWN!!! The street vendors scared ’em to death–but their world opened up to Picasso and Mondrian and all the flat dimensions of their textbook.
Oh, I will neever forget it.
Thank you for what you do, dear one.
Patti
Ya’ll are some brave mamas!!! This Ozarks farm chick is retired Special Ed and was part of takin’ our oh so unique crew on a many field trips but never overnight. What memories ya’ll make for these students. BTW: You son is one handsome dude!!!
From the happy hills and hollers of the Missouri Ponderosa, ya’ll have a wonderfully blessed day!!!
Cynthia, it was SO worth getting out of my comfort zone. Thanks!
Roxane, those kiddos provide so much inspiration and affirmation.
Tess, you are so right. The time to connect with our kids is right now.
Laurel, Thanks!
Patti, So that’s the burning desire I’m feeling – my hair’s on fire. Thanks for the affirmations.
Nezzy, you are so funny, and brave, too, taking your crew on the road!
I don’t think I would have made it to the top of all those stairs, either. It sounds like it was a wonderful trip, though. What a great idea for fourth graders! 🙂
What a great weekend. Looks like everyone had fun. And working together in such a pleasant atmosphere definitely builds life skills. Howevever, I’d have stayed at the bottom with you. Not gonna see me on those stairs!
Awww, that’s really great. Sounds like a lot of fun!
Thanks, Kittie, Good to know I’m not alone at the bottom of those stairs!