Ruth Ayres invites us the celebrate each week. Click over to her site Discover. Play. Build. to read more celebrations.
The Aquarium of the Americas, New Orleans, Louisiana
My students started a count down 6 weeks ago when they first heard we were going on a field trip. The day finally arrived. We boarded a charter bus at 7 AM and headed toward New Orleans.
First stop, the aquarium. They wandered among sharks and jellyfish and even touched a stingray. We watched the feeding of the penguins. We decided to buy a new class pet, a penguin named Ernie after the oldest penguin at the Aquarium.
While we were having lunch, the best daughter in the world walked from her office and brought me an iced latte. A double treat, a chance to give her a kiss and the caffeine that is much needed to sustain a day long field trip.
It’s right about here that one of my students decided to run through the water fountain. I really did not think ahead on this one. I didn’t think I needed to explain to gifted students that water makes you wet. He had to sit in his wet clothes in the Imax theater. A colleague,who was trying her best to calm my anger, told me this would be a logical consequence. (I am now able to see the humor of it all.)
The Imax movie told us the story of Hurricane Katrina. I did end up with one student clinging to me. It was intense. We must tune in the loss of wetlands in our state. This movie was visual proof.
Our last stop was the Insectarium. Here we enjoyed eating bugs. Yes! They were full of protein and covered in flavors.
The butterfly garden was magical. Two butterflies landed on Emily. Now Emily’s usual mode of transportation is running, hopping, skipping, but here in the warm garden, she slowed down and held out her arm. One of these friendly butterflies stayed on her hand for a while. A little miracle.
This morning I am celebrating a full day of adventure, fun, and learning. On the bus trip home, I announced a quiz bowl competition. The Audubon Nature Institute provided resources for educators. We printed out a scavenger hunt for the kids. On the bus, we awarded points for answers. My team didn’t win, but I plan to reward them anyway. All in all it was a great day!
Reflections on the Teche 
What great trip! I love/hate that impulsive part of kids. Love it when we’re home and dry. Hate it when they discover (and expect someone else to fix) the results of their impulsiveness! The water must have looked sooo good! Lucky kids to have the opportunity. Lucky mom to have such an understanding and loving daughter there providing the just needed boost!
Seeing Katrina in the Imax must have been quite a sensory overload for you all. I had to laugh at the gifted student running through the fountain.
Margaret, celebrating with your students seemed to be a wonderful day of learning, having fun, and surprises. I can see Emily entranced by the butterflies and can imagine the looks on the children’s faces when eating the bugs.
You know I love those trips. This sounds like a marvelous time, including the latte & the surprise ‘dip’ in the fountain. Our butterfly garden is such fun, too, & just as you said, magical when one lights on your hand or sleeve.
What an adventure! There had to be a ton of learning going on all day. đŸ™‚