Several schools planned great field trips for learning enrichment, cultural connections, new adventures, and fun. Here are a few of the experiential learning opportunities the students at Baltimore Curriculum Project (BCP) schools enjoyed this fall.
City Springs Elementary / Middle School:
On October 24, the 8th grade ELA class, taught by Wyatt Oroke, attended a performance of Macbeth at the Chesapeake Shakespeare Company. For every City Springs student, it was the first time seeing a Shakespeare play performed, and for many, it was their first live performance.
While attendance at the performance is normally reserved for high school scholars, City Springs 8th graders were invited because Macbeth is part of Mr. Wyatt’s ELA curriculum and will be taught later this spring. His class has asked to return for other performances like A Christmas Carol or Romeo and Juliet, both on the company’s schedule for the 2024-25 season. Tickets and transportation to the play were provided through a generous grant made possible by the Mayor’s Office of Recovery Programs.
“The scholars watched the play and met with the actors and actresses before and after the play to ask questions and learn more about their experiences,” says Mr. Oroke. “The viewing of this play was a great way to get scholars prepared to explore the play in more depth later this year.”
The 6th grade toured the White House on DATE as part of its exploration of U.S. history and how our government works. It was exciting to go to Washington, D.C. during such an important month – the Presidential election – and see the “Nation’s House.”
On November 12, the 6th grade became “Trail Stewards” with the Living Classrooms Foundation to study the War of 1812. With the National Park Service and Living Classrooms educators as their guides, they took a journey through history along the Star-Spangled Banner water trail from a floating classroom. Students engaged in hands-on, inquiry-based learning to highlight important regional, national, and world history.
Govans Elementary School
Clark’s Elioak Farm was a popular BCP destination this fall. Govans’ Pre-K, Kindergarten, and 1st graders enjoyed a wonderful fall day petting animals, exploring the pumpkin patch, and hands-on learning.
The 4th grade also visited the farm for a great day of STEM exploration. They separated different types of seeds, learned about pollination, pickled peppers, and visited chickens and turkeys.
Hampstead Hill Academy
The Pre-K students picked pumpkins at Clarks Elioak Farm. The 3rd grade attended the play “Grace for President” at Goucher College. This engaging experience helped students learn about the presidential election process from the perspective of a young girl, making civic learning accessible and inspiring.
While not a field trip, HHA continued its long tradition of having its students and their parents participate in Baltimore’s Great Lantern Parade. This year, about 75 HHA students and family members marched in the 25th Annual Great Lantern Parade, organized by the Creative Alliance. Students carried individual hive lanterns provided by the Girl Scouts. This year, an HHA hive joined the larger hornet lantern on the parade route in Patterson Park.
All 6th-8th grade students who achieved leadership level in the first quarter through HHA’s Leaders Go Places program spent Friday night, Nov. 1st at HersheyPark in the Dark. More than 230 students and 15 chaperones enjoyed an evening at the Park. To achieve bronze, silver, gold, or platinum leadership levels, students must maintain a certain GPA, a positive performance point average based on attendance and behavior, and complete two to six service-learning hours each quarter. Eighty percent of HHA students met the level this quarter.
Pimlico Elementary / Middle School
The Pre-First class enjoyed traditional fall fun with a trip to a pumpkin patch and a trip to the Maryland Zoo, while the Middle School also spent a day at the Zoo and another trip to the Maryland Science Center. During the last week of October, the PBIS (Positive Behavior and Intervention Support) Committee sponsored incentive field trips.
