Field Trip to Eliza Baker Elementary School
After reading the Cadet reports below, please visit our Photo Gallery for a few snapshots of them visiting with the school's 1st-grade class.
Cadet Report from Michaela Bova
Spending the Afternoon with First Graders
On Friday, January 23, 2009, Anderson Preparatory Academy’s 8th grade Creative Writing class went to Eliza Baker Elementary School in Indianapolis. Each cadet in the 8th grade class wrote a book for a 1st grader.
As part of the class, I felt very privileged to be able to spend the day with them. When we got there, we were able to walk around and talk to all of the kids. After everyone talked and got to know each other, we brought out our sack lunches. We got to eat lunch and have recess with the kids. After recess, Mrs. Ashabraner and Dr. Maxfield paired each 1st grader with an 8th grader to read our books together. We also had time to read additional books to the children and hear them read to us.
Hanging out with all of the 1st graders brought back a lot of memories. I had so much fun hanging out with my buddy, Eric. He was an amazing little boy. As I was leaving, he gave me hug and said “Michaela, I’m going to miss you so much!” Then he started crying. He wouldn’t let go. He told me that I had to come back and visit him. I hope we get to go back. Going on that field trip will always stick in my memory and hopefully in theirs, too. I will never forget room 7’s 1st grade class.
by Michaela Bova, 8th Grade Creative Writing Class
Cadet Report from Alexandra Zard
Visiting Indy First Graders
I got to spend the day with first graders! Our writing class got to create our own children’s stories and share them with the first graders of Eliza Baker Elementary School #55. We spent almost three weeks writing, illustrating, and coming up with our own children’s books that we thought would put a smile on a child’s face. Before we went to the school our teacher, Dr. Maxfield had us read our creations to the class. There were so many impressive skills of writing and drawing, I just knew that this trip would be so much fun!
We left for Indianapolis Friday, January 23, to arrive at the school right before lunchtime. The children stared in awe at the older kids walking into their classroom. It wasn’t long after we arrived that the children started getting comfortable with us. They would sing and tell us everything about themselves. We had all brought our lunches to eat with them in the classroom.
After lunch we had recess; I hadn’t had recess in years! Too bad it was muddy outside, we couldn’t go on the grass, but we all still had fun playing various games of tag and anything else the children could come up with. Once we were back inside, it was story time! We were all paired up with a first grader to read first the stories we wrote and then a book that the child wanted us to read to them. It was a joyous experience to share my creation with the eager-to-listen child.
The children were so happy we came to spend time with them. When it was almost time to go, we were presented with a few sing-along songs and performances by the students, which was very entertaining! Then the two teachers told the classes that it was time for the eighth graders to leave. All of the children were very sad, and it almost made us cry to see them cry when they told us good-bye. Overall the story-sharing time with the kids was very fun and something I would be happy to do again.
by Alexandra Zard, 8th grade
