The Story:
Tomorrow we are going on a field trip. We will take a bus forty-five minutes north, then hike around a series of biomes ranging from the beach to the mountains and everything in between. Such is the beauty of Bay Area microclimates...
This afternoon during homework time as everyone was copying the evening's assignments into their planners I asked if anyone had questions about tomorrow's outing. We had already gone over the basics of leaving our massive wheeled backpacks at home in favor of something smaller and lighter, as well as who was going to carry your gear for you if you got tired of carrying it (now that you are in Third Grade and a Big Kid, that would be You). I had explained the need for both a fleece in case of fog and a hat in case of sun (again, microclimates) plus an extra pair of socks because inevitably everyone gets too excited gazing into the tidepools every year and doesn't notice the incoming, foot-soaking waves as they approach. Other packing list items included AND were strictly limited to the following:
•bag snack/lunch
•water
•sunblock
•hiking shoes
•permission slip
•book to read on bus, unless you get carsick (optional)
"Okay, anything else? No?" I asked, amazed that for once no hands were being waved and no urgent, call-on-me!!! guttural noises were being made by any of my students until a hand shot up right in my face and my hopes at moving on to Read Aloud were dashed. "Ah, one last question, yes, Bob?"
Bob: Miss Nelson, I know we went over the packing list but I was just wondering if, you know, I could bring something extra, you know, something I might need personally, that not everyone might need, but, just, something to make me more comfortable for the field trip.
me: Ah, well, Bob, what were you thinking about, did you have something specific in mind?
Bob: Well, you said, you know, that maybe in a few places on the hike it might be windy, you know, like by the beach or on the mountain, and anyway, I am really not good with a lot of wind, it really does not make me comfortable, and so I think there is something I need to bring along to help me.
me: Okay, Bob, certainly, of course the teachers want you to be comfortable. What do you think you might bring with you tomorrow?
The Lesson:
Bob: Goggles, is that okay?
me: Absolutely, Bob, great idea. Whatever you feel you need.
all the other students: (a supportive, accepting silence)
Miss Sydney, who was sitting at the teachers' desk grading spelling tests: (hysterical laughter disguised as uncontrollable coughing fit)
take pictures.
Posted by: xz | May 14, 2007 at 11:13 PM