Page 37 - FEB 2019 proof 1 - The Castle Pines Connection

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A walk in time
By Julie Matuszewski; photos courtesy of American Academy
American Academy (AA) students got hands on lesson in American history. Boston was chosen as the destination for voluntary 8th grade students at AA not only for its charm but Boston provides so many opportunities to learn and experience early American history. The trip supports much of the 8th grade Colorado Department
of Education standards for social studies which direct teachers to teach 8th graders civics, economics, history, and geography. As the 8th graders explore these subjects, they are also being taught the meaning of citizenship in particular, citizenship of the United States. This trip connects American Academy students personally with the geography, strategies, and events that helped shape our country 200 years ago.
The four day trip was packed with several historical excursions from the Old North Bridge then on to see the origins of the Revolutionary War to the USS Constitution, also known as Old Ironsides, the world's oldest commissioned naval vessel still a oat. The group was then o to the Bunker Hill Monument where the students climbed 294 steps to the top of the monument to look over the city of Boston. After working up an appetite, the group enjoyed lunch
at Quincy Market and were then led on
a guided tour of the Freedom Trail. Here they walked throughout central Boston and learned about important Revolutionary War sites like Faneuil Hall, the Boston Massacre Site, King's Chapel, Granary Burial Ground, Old State House, Paul Revere House, Boston Common, Massachusetts State House, Park Street Church, King's Chapel and Burying Ground, Benjamin Franklin statue and former site of Boston Latin School, Old South Meeting House, and the Old North Church.
Taking a break from walking the group took a drive to Plimoth Plantation to experience what life was like in the 17th century.
Then to Plymouth Rock the landing site
of the May ower and founding site of the Plymouth colony. Grand nale was the tour of Fenway Park, the oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball.
There were several very special moments but the one that sticks out the most
for American Academy teacher Mark Leadbetter was getting to watch the Major League Baseball champs take batting practice while sitting up on the Green Monster at Fenway. For student Caden
Van Putten his favorite part of Boston was “seeing all the history it has to o er and the old-fashioned buildings.” He also said, “I learned that Plymouth Rock was moved from its original location, but was used when the Pilgrims rst stepped o the ships.”
AA middle school principal Michelle Daley feels “Learning outside of a classroom is essential for anyone. To get immersed into
a lesson in the exact same location that an important historical event took place is incomparable to sitting the classroom. Our students learn that our Boston trip isn’t just
a vacation but rather a journey back in time and their experience will never be forgotten.”
As the students returned to their classrooms they shared their excitement and knowledge with fellow peers. It’s these experiences that make for great discussion and dialogue between students and they continue to learn from each other well after the trip.
This year’s trip was a huge success with the students that American Academy is planning on going back to Boston again next year for another lesson in American History.