ROCKWALL (March 3, 2014) We have all been asked at some point in our childhood…”What do you want to be when you grow up?” The Rockwall ISD Education Foundation awarded the Kindergarten team at Springer Elementary $1,771 for their “When I Grow Up…” grant idea.
The goal of this grant was to give students a variety of experiences to truly learn about Rockwall community helpers and heroes, one of which was a field trip. Being able to actually visit places and visit with real-life community helpers and heroes would deepen their understanding of the social studies objectives.
Recently, ninety Kindergartners took a tour of Heath, with their first stop at Alliance Bank. The students were shown how the coin counting machine works, how the teller completes a transaction within the bank and through the drive-thru lanes and also held a stack of $10,000. The bank also distributed backpacks for each student. The buses traveled on to the town center of Heath. The classes followed a rotation schedule and visited Vela Sailing Supply, Village Post, City Hall, Heath Fire and Police, and Animal Hospital of Heath.
At Vela Sailing Supply, the students were shown the “ropes” about sailing as well as a lesson on boat safety. The students brought their homemade Valentine postcards, stamped, postmarked, and dropped them in the outgoing mail. Before the trip was over, the students saw the postman picking up their postcards. Within the next day or two, their parents received a special delivery in their mailboxes.
While visiting the Animal Hospital, the students transformed into veterinarians and performed surgery on teddy bears. They examined x-rays and viewed microscope slides. Employees at City Hall held a council meeting and discussed the importance of being a responsible citizen. The meeting was adjourned with a tap of the gavel. The students then visited Heath’s fire and police. They were given a tour of each emergency vehicle. The students then enjoyed a picnic lunch under the gazebo at the city park.
After lunch, the students loaded the buses for Milano’s Restaurant. Inside, students were invited back into the kitchen and shown how to make pizza dough. Students weighed the dough, observed the steps of making a pizza and enjoyed their pizza afterward. While waiting their turn to tour the pizzaria, other students remained on the bus and were given a safety demonstration by their bus driver. Students returned to school and wrote about their experiences of the field trip in their “Stories Inside Me” folders.
The teachers have more fun activities planned for the students in the upcoming weeks. The Springer Kindergarten team wants to thank the participating businesses and the Education Foundation for making this hands-on learning experience possible and memorable for their students.
By Barbara Wood, submitted by Rachael Taylor, Ouida Springer Elementary Librarian.
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