Safety and Self-Expression are Top Priorities for In-Person Tutoring

“I understand why we had to be on computers, but the purpose of a field trip is to go somewhere and learn something new. I’m going to spread the word that 826LA’s on-site field trips are back, and I’m sure they’ll fill up fast.”

VIRGINIA TURA FOURTH-GRADE TEACHER AT GRAND VIEW ELEMENTARY

It’s Not Toga Time Yet: The Return of In-Person Field Trips

On a bright, cold Thursday morning nearly two years after 826LA closed our centers due to COVID-19, fourth graders from Grand View Boulevard Elementary lined up outside the Time Travel Mart in Mar Vista. A local skateboarder performed tricks, delighted by the impromptu audience. Students made their way through the store—past books, time travel sundries, and one rusty robot—to the writing lab.

Field Trips Coordinator Maddie Silva introduced the volunteers who would serve as illustrator and typist for the day’s Storytelling and Bookmaking Field Trip.

But before they could proceed, a voice boomed from “ten floors” above. Just back from a trip to ancient Rome, Professor Barnacle, the time traveling head of Barnacle and Barnacle Publishers, announced that he would be turning the press into a toga factory.

But neither children nor literary types are easily deterred. Maddie pleaded: Wasn’t there anything they could do?

“We need to make money,” barked Professor Barnacle. “I need a bestseller. If you and these students can put your heads together and write twenty new and original bestsellers by lunchtime, you can stay a publishing house. Otherwise, it’s toga time.”

After discussing the key elements of storytelling, students broke into groups and brainstormed central characters with help from volunteers. The winner was Senek, a superpowered hedgehog clad in a fancy belt, on his way to visit Eggo on Pluto.

And so the story began.

FIELD TRIPS

SESSIONS HELD STUDENTS SUPPORTED VOLUNTEER HOURS PROVIDED

60 1,129 680

FROM “Mrs. Dude Learns French in Paris”

BY MS. PRUETT’S SECOND-GRADE CLASS FROM WESTMINSTER AVE. ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

It was a crowded day in Paris and everyone freaked out when they saw the flying saucer. They all ran away as Mrs. Dude turned into a big, tan German Shepherd and stepped off the saucer.

When Mrs. Dude looked around, the only creature she saw was a half dog, half cat with a mermaid tail named Mr. Fuzzy. “Why are you here and freaking everybody out in such a beautiful place?” he asked.

“Because I want to sing a pretty song and learn French,” she replied. Virtual field trips were a rare pandemic silver lining, enabling schools that couldn’t arrange transportation to our centers to nevertheless participate in our fun and inspiring Field Trips program. They’ll remain an option for the foreseeable future, but we were happy to see students lining up outside our doors in Mar Vista beginning in February; Echo Park field trips began later in the spring.

Field trip topics ranged from Storytelling & Bookmaking for younger students, to Personal Statements for students preparing for college. A deep respect for student voices and a fresh approach (think collective brainstorming and dance breaks) to the teaching of writing were common threads throughout our field trips.