Peace Lutheran students get outside the classroom

Saturday, May 21, 2011

Students and families of Peace Lutheran School enjoyed two field trips recently.

On Tuesday, May 10, about 60 people including parents, grandparents, teachers and preschool through sixth grade students jumped on a bus to the Indianapolis Zoo where they enjoyed a sunny warm day with the animals.

The students enjoyed their time and responded positively in writing during their writers' workshop time.

Second grader Greeley Eastep wrote, "When I went to the zoo I saw a lot, plus I went with my pal. We watched the dolphin show, but didn't sit in the splash zone. Then we went to see some porcupines and cheetahs. The cheetahs were dozing in the sun, but the porcupines were huge enough to be the size of a miniature pony lying down. But the worst part was we were 18 days earlier than the tigers!"

Classmate Emma Huber wrote, "The zoo was very fun and exciting. There was so much to see! My favorite animals were the giraffes; I even got to feed one a slice of sweet potato! My mom and dad were able to come to the zoo and spend the bright, sunny day with me. That field trip was one of my favorites!"

Brady Mann, also in second grade thought, "The skinny shark was a show off; he did some of the dolphin tricks. The fat shark was the friendliest. The walrus even came up and put his head on the glass."

Kole Bemish, in fourth grade, said, "It was fun even though I have been there."

Sixth grader Craig Helmers commented about the White River Gardens saying, "The outside was amazing; there was a sun dial, pools, a sand pit, and plants everywhere."

Following a positive learning experience at the zoo, the kindergarten through sixth grade headed out again on Friday, May 13 to the Indianapolis Air Show. This was the first time the show had fallen on a date that allowed the students to attend for a field trip.

Before the show began on Friday students had the opportunity to speak with a female helicopter pilot who answered every one of their curious questions. A female stunt pilot, Jackie, took the time to show each student the cockpit of her small plane. During the show, while Jackie taxied on the runway, the students excitedly waved to her, eager to see her fly.

In addition to being exposed to a wide range of aircraft, students had the opportunity to see a beam from the World Trade Center.

Brady Mann said, "My favorite part was the F-16 and the Blue Angels because they were the loudest. The Blue Angels were flying in F-18s and there were six of them. We had a tour of a WWII bomber. It was awesome."

First grader Jacob Pike said, "I went to the air show. It was marvelous. We saw the Blue Angels, Fat Albert, a Mustang, and old planes too."

Teacher Paul Bretscher thought the field trip was a great learning experience, and wished we had even more time to meet and ask questions of the pilots.

The students had an week of field trips as the end of their school year rapidly approaches.

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