Field Trips in the Lower School

In the Lower School, our approach to field trips is to provide our students up-close, living, rich experiences right here at school. Rather than a chaotic sprint through a local zoo or museum, our students are to be found in their very own classrooms or elsewhere on our grounds seeing animals up close—getting to feel a snake’s reptilian scales, touch the softness of a bird’s feather, see bees busily working in their hive, and hear from visiting experts. One of our very favorite visitors is the Dallas Zoo itself and their amazing animals!

Another element of Great Hearts school culture that is a big factor in our students’ experience are our grade level curricular celebrations we have in Kindergarten through Fifth Grade several times a year. We don’t host Valentine’s Day or other holiday parties; instead, our festivities are centered around our course of study. Examples of these grade level celebrations include our Kindergarten Community Helpers Celebration where students enjoy seeing their hallway decorated like main street and visitors include doctors, firefighters, and others! First graders celebrate Ancient Egypt at the conclusion of their History unit on that magical land. Our scholars wear Egyptian costumes, make golden collar necklaces, mummify apples, snack on dates and cucumbers, and practice writing hieroglyphs. Similar celebrations with themed refreshments, crafts, and experiences happen on Ancient Greece in Second Grade, Ancient Rome in Third Grade, the Middle Ages in Fourth, A Wrinkle in Time in Fifth Grade, and other historical periods and literature selections throughout the grade levels. Each year the entire school celebrates our annual Storybook Festival in October as well!

These experiences, flowing from and upholding our curriculum and learning unite our school community and deepen our understanding and appreciation of the world around us. Parents are invited to support our teachers in putting on our fantastic curricular celebrations by donating to each grade level’s celebrations fund and helping us cover the cost of these enriching events and visitors.