WASHINGTON, D.C. — Newberry Elementary School fifth-graders visited Washington, D.C., this spring for a field study.

This was the third such trip for Newberry Elementary School. The trip addressed almost all of the fifth grade social studies standards and parts of science. The field study was connected across the curriculum for the fifth graders. Preparation included virtual tours of certain places to point out things that they needed to look for while they were in Washington.

“Students are always eager to learn new things and this experience gives them time to interact and see parts of history firsthand,” said Newberry Elementary School fifth grade ELA teacher Lynn Mohler.

“Before the trip we, of course, discuss expectations and the security that they will encounter,” Mohler said. “We try to cover as many Social studies standards as we can so that we can refer back to those while we are actually there.”

The trip allowed students to see areas of the United States for the first time. Mohler said students particularly enjoyed the Pentagon. Fifth grader Benjamin Baldwin said that visit helped him with his future plans.

“We got to take a whole tour of the different areas and I would like to join the military,” Baldwin said.

He was impressed by the demeanor of the officers as they led the Newberry Elementary School students throughout the Pentagon.

Another impressive sight was the Lincoln Memorial. Student Mantrevis Sligh said, “It was awesome to see (the memorial) up close. I had seen it in movies but never in real life.”

Students also engaged during visits to the Smithsonian Museums. They were sent on scavenger hunts to find different artifacts in each building and told chaperones how amazed they were at the size of the Hope Diamond. They also explained aspects of the dresses worn by United States first ladies and learned more details about struggles African Americans faced during the course of United States’ history.

The trip allowed students to put the 21st Century Learning Skills they study at Newberry Elementary School into practice. For instance, students had to be very adaptable when trip plans changed due the weather. Students were accountable not only for their actions as they visited the capitol but for getting themselves ready for the trip each day.

They also had to do lots of reflective listening to the different people they came in contact with as well as their chaperones. Newberry Elementary School students also showed a lot of resiliency each day to bounce back after a busy day of field study left them tired but they had to start over again with a new day and new opportunities.

During their field study, Newberry Elementary School fifth graders, faculty, staff and chaperones met with S.C. State Sen. Tim Scott.
https://www.newberryobserver.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/web1_dc2.jpgDuring their field study, Newberry Elementary School fifth graders, faculty, staff and chaperones met with S.C. State Sen. Tim Scott. Courtesy photo

Staff Report