Students in Grades 4–7 Expand Classroom Learning with Overnight Trips

Grade 7 - Washington, D.C.
In late April, history came to life for Convent & Stuart Hall seventh graders as they embarked on a week-long trip to Washington D.C. From walking the halls of the United States Capitol where Congress members actively shape our nation's future, to visiting powerful memorials honoring past leaders who have transformed lives, students were immersed in our nation’s history while further discovering the American story. Sites included a visit to the White House, Mount Vernon, the National Museum of African American History and Culture, the Lincoln Memorial, the Vietnam War Memorial, and many more. Students were invited to contribute to a community of inquiry, to reflect on the complicated story that is American history, to recognize that democracy is a verb not to be taken lightly, and to dialog about how we should govern ourselves moving forward. — Chad Gardner, Grade 7 History & Social Sciences Faculty


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Grade 5 - Camp SEA Lab, Aptos, CA
Convent & Stuart Hall fifth graders took a 3-day, 2-night trip to Camp SEA Lab in Aptos, CA. Camp SEA Lab is a nonprofit that offers marine-oriented programs focused on teaching young people about our coasts and ocean. Students participated in several hands-on activities related to marine sciences, including a sand crab survey and beach exploration, the creation of their own wetland habitat, and a crash course on plankton and other microorganisms. We headed to Elkhorn Slough for some sea kayaking and wildlife viewing, got loud and silly during an evening bonfire, and enjoyed the grounds during free play time on the grassy fields, basketball and volleyball courts, amphitheater and areas in between.  — Eric Gordon, Middle Form Dean


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Grade 4 - Gold Country, Coloma, CA
On April 11, Convent & Stuart Hall 4th graders boarded a bus to set out on a jampacked two-day exploration of California's rich history. Their first destination was the State Capitol, Sacramento, where they viewed the historic downtown and toured the California State Railroad Museum. From there, we hopped back on the bus for our next destination: Marshall Gold Discovery State Historic Park in Coloma, CA. Students explored the park and learned about the experiences of gold discovery in nearby Sutter's Mill and the lives of those who inhabited the area. We then headed to our campground, where students engaged in a variety of living history activities—playing musical instruments, beading, storytelling, gold panning, and even axe throwing! The trip tied in directly to the 4th-grade social studies curriculum, which focuses on California history, providing a tangible link between classroom learning and real-world experiences. — Eric Gordon, Middle Form Dean


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