Monday, May 18, 2015

One Slice of Every Overnight Trip

The Two Writing Teachers blogs hosts a community every Tuesday who share parts of their lives, both professional and personal, always a gift to read the words! Thanks to Stacey, Tara, Dana, Betsy, Beth and Anna, we keep going!




           My class and I are back, this week starting the final things: trip response, trip board, field journals, portfolios, writing collections, final blogs. The list doesn't want to end, but school does in eleven and a half days! If you'd like to see a few pictures, see my Saturday Celebration post here. We did so much in the ten days we were traveling. In this slice I want to share about this city part of the trip that mirrors others I've experienced. To save money, we nearly always stay in the center of the chosen city, where the action is, at a hostel. This time in Washington D.C. was not different, and our stay was delightful at Hostel International on 11th Street, the link here
           When I've stayed with my classes at hostels, it's filled with more learning. Students learn to navigate the building, where the hang out places are, how to use their own room keys (they stay in groups), how to share a common bathroom, how to rise, get ready and meet in the dining area for breakfast, ready for the day--all with only the help of classmates! For those who've not been on these extended trips as older students, it is probably a new experience, and a growing up one. Younger classes also go on overnights, but are given less independent time. 


           This hostel started breakfast at 7:30am, with a wonderful greeter named John, who asked that everyone who entered the food line give a greeting in a language that was not their native one. It was much fun, and students began to find all kinds of new ways to say good morning as they listened to others who were staying. The best part of a hostel is meeting new people, older and younger, from countries all over the world. This time there was a great, roomy kitchen where we could easily cook if we wished. Two of my colleagues served some yummy breakfast burritos on a few mornings, cooking with some of the students who wanted to help. We saw others creating their own country's breakfast food, and met students from Europe and Canada. I spoke with some people who asked about the students, complimenting them for their quiet and polite behavior.  I loved seeing students sitting down to eat with new people, discovering they could have these conversations, and also that others were interested in what they were doing here in D.C., too. Along with all the other activities we did, this place truly became our home away from home, a good place to return to in the evening. 
          Here is one pic of the group getting ready for the day, in one of the meeting areas, and the back very-winding staircase that everyone loved!


30 comments:

  1. Linda, your trip sounded like fun. I especially liked the global morning greeting. It is wonderful that your students got to meet others from around the world.

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    1. Yes, it was a good experience. Thanks, Carol.

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  2. This is such an exciting experience for students. Thank you for sharing and giving us a peek into this trip!

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    1. It was a good place, Michelle. You're welcome!

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  3. How fortunate your students are to be exposed to all these new cultural experiences while in the safety of a school trip. The hostel idea is brilliant.

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    1. Thanks, Bernadette, the hostels are always welcoming to us.

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  4. Such an experience. Kudos to your dedicated educators that would take on such an endeavor! The students will never forget this! Thanks for sharing this peek into breakfast with us.

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    1. Thanks, Kendra, it was a great time, even early in the am!

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  5. I love the way your trip fosters a growing independence in your students. What a wonderful wrap-up to your year - the opportunity to return and reflect on your experience! Blessings as you enter the last mad dash to the end.

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    1. Thanks, Ramona, I do need the blessings, I think. What a lot of things to do in order to wrap it all up!

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  6. Sounds like you had a wonderful trip. I can only imagine all of the excitement and new things your students learned...memories and things that will last a lifetime.

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    1. Yes, it was a great trip. Glad to be back, too! Thanks!

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  7. So much to be learned! Sharing space with others from different places and times of life offers so much. What lucky kids!

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    1. Yes, it seems important to show the students what's possible when traveling. Thanks, Julieanne!

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  8. It seems like this was such a wonderful learning experience! I love the pictures. They made me happy. So sorry I didn't stop by yesterday. I was quite sick last night. I loved your review of All the Bright Places--one of my favorites this year, for sure. :)

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Ricki, hope you're better today! All The Bright Places is definitely a beautiful story.

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  9. A ten-day field trip?!??! Wow! I mean, it felt like awhile (from seeing the FB pictures) that you were away, but 10 days is quite incredible!

    I love that your students were complimented on their behavior and positive attitudes. I love when other adults recognize and laud children for being polite. Too often people only comment when kids are not at their best.

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    1. Most of the trips for older students are this long, Stacey, sometimes longer. It works well. As long as we're flying somewhere, might as well make the most of it! Yes, the students do get compliments; they're great travelers, so understand how to behave in so many different circumstances.

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  10. What a TRIP! 10 days is a LIFETIME with kids...and I can ONLY IMAGINE the powerful experience this was for ALL of you. You are ONE DEDICATED and FABULOUS teacher!

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    1. Thanks Anita. The trips are amazing, but you have to know that I'm always glad to return, too.

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  11. I'm imagining all the planning and preparation that went into this trip in order for it to be such a success; bravo! I loved hostels when I was traveling through those student years, and so do my own children - the best way to meet the best people.

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    1. Glad you've had the experience, too, Tara. They are always good times when we use them.

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  12. Wow, looks like a really nice hostel! I love how you took every opportunity to engrave some life lessons during this trip. Sounds fabulous in every way.

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    1. This hostel had a library and a good array of computers too, Dana. It was a good place!

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  13. Those students are so lucky to have this experience and teachers who trust them to be their best selves. This needs to happen more often for our students.
    Thanks
    Clare

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    1. They really aren't asked to do enough, we think. They are very capable at this age. Thanks, Clare.

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  14. I continue to be in awe of you and your teaching experiences, Linda! What a wonderful, memorable trip for your students. I love reading about your adventures. Enjoy your last 11.5 days!

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    1. Wow, Jennifer, I am very ready! It was quite a trip, but now we're all tired & ready for the last days' adventures. Thanks!

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  15. That must have been an amazing and truly rewarding trip! Now to wind up a whirlwind year!

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    1. It's certainly time to wind it up, Donna, but so much to do in these next weeks! Thanks!

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