I seek out opportunities for students to learn outside of the classroom. By securing funds from grants and donations I have taken my students on the following curriculum aligned learning experiences:
- Science of candy unit-trip to local candy factory
- Plants and ecology unit-trip to local farmers market and animal farm
- Spanish language and culture-Empanada factory restaurant to order in Spanish and try authentic food
- Harlem renaissance- Augusta Savage exhibit at local art museum
- Science and art-Modern museum guided tour
- Primary versus secondary sources- local manuscript library
- How scientists present ideas- science festival at local community college
- Novel study of Wonder- film screening of the movie
- Florida history and native peoples- Timucua nature and history preserve
- Black history- Ritz local black history museum
- Water as a resource-boat tour of St. Johns river with ecological preservation non profit
- Local history, environment, and plant species- Tillie fowler nature preserve and hiking trail
- Local courthouse
- Trip to state capitol and state university.
In addition to experiences outside of the classroom I believe it is very important to invite community members into the classroom to share insight into what they do, provide a different perspective, and expose students to multiple ideas and possibilities. Through grants, donations, or volunteers I have been able to enjoy welcoming the following guests:
- Local civil rights activist and educator Rodney Hurst
- Class parent to read and teach about black history in the U.S.
- Local medical residents
- Mexican folk music artist
- Environmentalist from St. Johns Riverkeeper local environmental non profit
- Spanish professor from local college
- Class parents to share about their jobs and experiences
- Engineers from local energy provider to discuss and do activity about green energy