Part of living in the Great State of Texas is that our kids learn Texas History at school. They take it in 4th grade and again in 7th grade. I even took it again in college because it was so much more interesting to me than any other history course offered. I got an A.
I really love Texas history. I'm proud to be from such a great state, one that was once its own country and is rich in culture and heritage. Texas brings us the amazing stories of the Alamo, the Battle of San Jacinto, and Spindletop. We have great heroes like Sam Houston, Davy Crockett, and Stephen F. Austin. It's cool to be a Texan.
So this year Little Son is in 7th grade, and taking Texas History. He's in a magnet school for Gifted & Talented kids, and they go quite deep into the subjects they learn. He brought home a letter today from his Texas History class that goes something like this:
"Dear Parents,
This year we would like to offer your 7th graders an opportunity to enrich their study of Texas History with a field trip to Dallas and Fort Worth."
Let me stop right here a minute. We live in HOUSTON. That is over 200 miles from Dallas/Fort Worth. That's quite a field trip. When I was in 7th grade we went to the San Jacinto Monument. It's 20 minutes away.
"Students on this field trip will travel via coach bus to Dallas to experience the historic buildings and costumed interpreters of the Dallas Heritage Village, visit the Fort Worth stockyards, ride a steam train with the Grapevine Historic Railroad, visit the National Cowgirl Hall of Fame, explore the assassination of President John F. Kennedy at the Sixth Floor Museum, and enjoy corn dogs, fried Oreos, and other Texas delicacies at the Texas State Fair."
The letter goes on to explain their itinerary, rules, fees, etc. I'm wondering where they're going to spend the night. Don't see that in the letter. Wait a minute. All this is going to happen in ONE DAY.
One day?!?! Seriously?!?
Now I know these educators are trained professionals, and experienced in taking children on field trips such as these. But I am having trouble wrapping my mind around them driving 200 miles to Dallas, doing all that stuff, and driving 200 miles back home in one day. Granted, it will be one VERY LONG day, but still. I just don't think it's gonna happen. They're gonna have to skip something. Hopefully not the corn dogs and fried Oreos.
Little Son, of course, really wants to go. No matter that we have family in Dallas, have been to Dallas dozens of times, have done some of that stuff already, and can do ALL that stuff on our own (and on our own time schedule!). He wants to go with his class. And I don't blame him.
So Hubby and I are talking about it. They're going to have to leave very early in the morning and get home very late at night. If Little Son is willing to get up that early to go, I know he must really want to do it. Altho I'm sure he's planning on sleeping on the bus.
Oh wait - here's something in the letter about what they'll do on the bus....
"In keeping with our studies of Texas History, we will watch the HBO series 'John Adams' based on the book by David McCullough."
Wait. What?!?!? Isn't that American History??
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11 comments:
Texas History was my favorite class in school. It didn't hurt that my family has roots in the "Old 300." Have y'all been to the Texas Museum in Austin? It is, in my opinion, one of the best museums ever!
That will make for one very long field trip. I suppose schools are truly outdoing themselves these days. We went to Space Center Houston (living in Sugar Land at the time) and it felt like it was so far away!
Yeah, that's a bit much for one day. I don't see Collin getting up that early. ;)
But it would be really fun, and I don't blame him for wanting to go with his class! I would, too!
Wow, that sure is a lot to pack in a day. How can they fully appreciate and immerse themselves in the history (& fun of the state fair)? They'll be too busy running from place to place. Still, it will be a fun day for them! Definitely a field trip to remember!
I love Texas history, too! Let him go, mama! Come on! I'm wondering what the cost is. I wish all kids (at other schools) had the opportunities some of the kids at the WAVE school have. But, alas, their parents probably wouldn't care! Well, some would, of course. And I agree that John Adams would be American history. He wasn't from Texas, was he? Maybe I need to go back to school!
We're actually leaning towards not letting him go - it's a really long day, and I have visions of a sleepy bus driver rolling a bus full of kids late at night on the way home....
I always get uneasy when any of my much beloveds go on long trips - especially bus trips. Lurid TV news reports of crashes flit across my mind. Besides, they'll never get all that done in one day! Imagine trying to corral a bunch of hyped up kids at the Fair! Aggghhhh! Scary!
I've been to most of the places on the list of places they're planning on going. Ideally, it CAN be done. Realistically? No way. They won't get anything out of it - their time will be so limited at each of those stops.
And then, there's the driving portion. Assuming that traffic is wonderful all day and stops are non-existent, there will be a minimum of 10 hours driving. That's a lot in one day - and then you have all that other activity?! Crazy.
It would take all day to drive up and back without doing anything.. unbelievable.
See, now why aren't parents are riled up about this as they are about having the President speak to the kids on Tuesday?
Sorry, had to go there.
sounds like alot to do in one day! We were up there in June and had trouble getting it in in 3 days! I see where you're at about the driving too, I'd be a basket case. Maybe y'all can do it as a family!
I'd end up having to be one of the parents accompanying them. Just in case, you know?
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