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May 13, 2007
More Field Trips
On Friday I was in Sacramento. Believing in education and learning takes me to interesting places. This time I was at the Department of Education for a hearing on the new Learning Foundations for preschool children. I thought I’d just be there to listen, but it seems most of the people there were wanting to hear what others had to say. Since I had been working with the Foundations rather extensively, I decided I probably had as much to say as anyone.
I do like the direction. When you work in the arena of preschool there is Head Start, State Preschool, private preschools and all sorts of daycare providers. These are generally wonderful people who genuinely like small children. AND they all have ideas about what they should know and do at the young ages of three and four. We have several sets of required standards we’re supposed to be following to provide programs and services of preschool children. I would like to see something a bit more coordinated. So for a guideline of foundations I gave them my thanks and appreciation.
Leaving the building to go back to where my car was parked required going across the grounds of the state capitol building. I always enjoy that walk. It’s pretty and peaceful. Well, normally it’s peaceful. I noticed they’d put very decorative metal posts and low metal fences all around the grounds. I assumed that was to keep people from driving trucks into the side of the capitol.
It’s also normally peaceful just because it’s so park like, but Friday it wasn’t quite as quiet. I mentioned that this time of year is the time for field trips for children. Whether it’s Arizona or California, you’ll see classes of children visiting special places. The state capitol is one of those places http://capitolmuseum.ca.gov/english/index.html.
A group of children was surrounding a statue of what I guessed was Father Junipero Serra. I never got close enough to know for sure, but it certainly looked like the good Father. I asked one of the adults nearby about the group.
“Oh, we’re from San Diego,” she said. “They’re fourth graders.” She went on to tell me they’d just moved to San Diego from Missouri and they’d been doing field trips there too. Seems the state capitol of Missouri was probably on their list, but the move brought them to California instead.
The kids were just moving on as another group descended the stairs from the south side of the building. It wouldn’t be long before they’d be looking at the various statues, monuments, and plaques in the gardens around the capitol. I’m sure they’ll have plenty to talk about on the bus rides home.
‘Tis the season for field trips. I’m headed several other spots before schools out. I wonder what other groups I’ll run into. For those of you wondering what to do with you kids this summer, field trips are great. A day to the capitol or another to a museum is fun for the whole family, give you plenty of things to talk about at dinner, and can provide the start for a great journal. Summer’s coming and there are lots of learning adventures waiting for Summer time.
Posted by Dr Joni at May 13, 2007 10:43 AM
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