RAWWRRRRRR!!!!!!!!!!!
Over the last few months, our class became very excited and anxious to take a field trip to the Royal Tyrrell Museum in Drumheller. It was a decision the students and I made together during one of our class discussions last fall. We realized that there would need to be extensive fundraising, research on the program and organization for the event.
Once our decision was made the support from our community and parents was amazing! The fundraising, volunteering and support our parents and students gave simply went above and beyond. Each month we were getting closer and closer to the big trip. For so many of my students this was their first time away from home.
Last Wednesday was a beautiful, sunny, warm, early morning. We loaded the bus, hugged our parents and set off for our adventure. There was visiting, snacking, game playing, singing-and we weren’t even at Drumheller yet!
At the Royal Tyrell Museum we were immediately approached by our edutour guide and “thrown into our action packed journey”. The kids were great troopers hiking through the badlands in 28° of heat, fossil casting, game playing, swimming, and much, much more.
I was so proud of all my students. It was great to see them interacting with peers-they normally wouldn’t have, behaving respectfully towards adults and participating in group activities with all. I really enjoyed seeing new friendships being formed.
Many times during the trip I would stop and look at my students, and watch their eyes light up and their souls sparkle.
I am thankful for witnessing the learning, appreciate the enlightening conversations and the overall wonderful effect this trip had on the students, parents and myself.
There are many memories that will never be forgotten. I have a new bond with my students. It is truly these youth who have made an imprint on my heart that I will never forget.
Thank you grade four students for teaching me!
Leanne is a teacher at Duffield School who is a life long learner and loves her students.
Wow, what a great adventure for your class. It’s truly amazing when our teaching experiences turn into inspirational moments of our life. Thanks for sharing!!!
Duffield Grade 4 students and Mrs. Schram-White, it sounds like you all had an amazing time. You all worked so very hard to be able to engage in this experience. I am so proud that you represented Duffield School so well. Way to go everyone.
I loved the way you focused on the student involvement in this task. Our grade fours take this trip most years and always come back bursting with stories of the experience. Thank you for being the catalyst for a new learning experience for your students and yourself. Great learning happens in so many ways.
Leanne,
Your love for your students and their families is obvious. I’m so glad you have such a fantastic group and that you got to go on this exciting “field trip”. It is trips like these that bring a class together. I wonder what you think about trying to do a trip like this at the beginning of the year in order to build those relationships early?
Thanks for your post!
Marci Laevens
As a teacher at Duffield I was able to witness first hand the effort it took to make a trip like this happen for those students. It was great to see parents, students and teachers working together to raise money and make this trip a reality. Great job.
What a fantastic way to learn about Alberta’s past and build today’s relationships! Well done! It brings back memories of my Duffield days when I took a group of grade fours to Drumheller.