Celebration time is just around the corner. It’s moving in quickly with the cold front. My dining table is full of gifts and wrapping paper. Soon the gifts will be under the tree and my dining table will be clean and ready for family to gather. How will I ever get it all done? I ask myself this question every year, and every year, I manage to be ready for the celebration.
In our classrooms, the students are anxious and antsy. They have more difficultly focusing. When my colleagues and I began planning a field trip for December 16th, I thought we were nuts to do it so close to Christmas break when the weather (literally and figuratively) changes daily. It turned out to be the perfect time.
On Friday, the weather was cool but not cold, cloudy but not raining as we set out at 6:30 AM on a charter bus heading to St. Francisville, Louisiana to the Myrtles Plantation, one of the top haunted mansions in the US. The stories of the “little spirits” both intrigued and frightened my students. I have to admit I was a little unsettled when I heard ticking coming from the old desk I was standing next to.
Our next stop was the cemetery of Grace Episcopal Church. This cemetery is a beautiful place with draping oaks and old graves. Our students made gravestone rubbings that we will later use for a research/writing project.
Taking students outside the classroom is an effort in planning, making reservations, arranging payment, yet every time we do it, I realize how important it is to get us outside and into the world. We traveled northeast to Natchez, MS. to visit the Grand Village of the Natchez Indians, run the mounds, and learn about the ways of the original Americans. We walked the old Natchez Trace and visited an old inn.
When we return from our winter break, we will revisit this field trip and turn our learning experience into digital posts and presentations. But, for now, I celebrate the opportunity to take students out of the classroom and into an earlier time and place to learn and play together.
I will be taking a holiday break from DigiLitSunday. Come back on January 8th.
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Wonderful learning!
That sounds like an awesome trip! I love being outside and exploring. We have four dog parks that we visit and two have woods that we venture into and we love seeing what we can find. Sounds like you have a lot to celebrate and remember when you come back from break. 🙂
Wonderful trip. I’ve been to a nearby cemetery with students often, to write, research & do gravestone rubbings. It is a wonderful experience. Your mansion sounds terrific, too. There are several places here in Colorado that claim the hauntings. Intriguing, isn’t it?
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Field trips are hard to plan and nerve-wracking because we can’t control the elements–but– so rewarding. I am envious of your presents ready (probably now) to be wrapped. I haven’t gotten there yet.
The table cannot be seen yet, but I have the necessary ones wrapped, those that must be mailed tomorrow! Why do I always feel a step behind?
A haunted mansion for a field trip sounds like fun! Exploring your students’ history from the mounds to the cemetery is something I am sure your students will always remember. I hope you were able to accomplish many things today as your celebration with your family gets closer. Me – I am so far behind, as I always am. Thank goodness we are out of school this week to mark some things off of my list!
I’m not out till Wednesday. I’ve got my students’ gifts done. I need to get all the packages for mailing ready. Why does it always creep up on me?
I love that you took them out, and I love what they will make of this experience. My table top is now clear of gifts to be wrapped, too. I am ready for Christmas!
Taking time away from our classrooms is so important. I believe there are always unforeseen lessons that we can’t predict. Merry Christmas
I loved those times out of the classroom, even though we never took chartered buses anywhere. School bus field trips and the excitement they produced were cathartic for everyone. Glad you enjoyed this trip together right before break.
Margaret, how splendid to tie in history on your field trip. The photos remind me of a workshop I was in at State Ed. It was about changing the wording of field trip to fieldwork since students are engaged as noticers and wonderers ready to explore new locales. The pics also remind me of the haunted night tour I took with the Wonder Lead Ambassadors in St. Louis. Our guide was totally a believer in the paranormal. I will try to get my post done tomorrow. Today was devoted to preparations for my holiday party.
Now, I am ready to join the DigiLit Sunday Celebration with my post.
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