Fun at the Cave of the Mounds
I love kids and that’s why I chose to be an elementary school teacher. There are many amazing things that you can learn from children as they grow up, but basically as a parent and a mature adult you want to see them succeed in whatever they pursue in life. One way is by ensuring that they get every available opportunity to learn and experience both at school and also the outside world which one day awaits them.
Last spring I had the opportunity to take my class on a trip to Wisconsin to tour the Cave of the Mounds National Natural Landmark and I must attest that it was a great learning experience for everyone. We had the opportunity to learn, have fun and also ensure that I blend well with the kids as they did to each other during that wonderful moment.
Keeping the Kids happy for a Peaceful Co-existence
At times is never easy to make a kid happy, or to ensure that the cheek ones in class behaves that day to avoid embarrassing you and the entire schools fraternity, but one thing I have learned as a parent is that when travelling with kids the adventure starts at the very moment that you board a bus set for the journey. That’s the most appropriate time to start being merry. It is not a wild goose chase. Kids love toys, some candy, packed snacks, pillows and even a blanket for the lazy and cold one et al. I ensured that throughout the one-hour drive this was available to them. I tried my best to let everyone fit in by personally attending to the different needs and taste that they had.
That really worked magic because by the time we arrived at our destination, everyone had a smile on ones face and thus knew that we destined for a good and fun-filled day. As a matter of fact, we had one.
Time to Learn Informally While Sightseeing
In the caves it was time to learn. Being in good moods we hiked through the walkways of the caves as we visited the different amazing array of collage crystal formations and I couldn’t but marvel how the kids went to ask the tour guide various question. I was happy because they were behaving and not making jokes but attentive listening to the guide while intermittently shooting a question or two.
As we ventured deeper into the caves, the views were more stunning and kept the kids busy all that time as they marveled at the different features that we came across. There are times that we stopped for a class photo and loved the way they all cooperated.
Outdoor Learning Helped Improved our Relationship
After about an hour or two at the caves, we went to the Butterfly Gardens where we spent a few minutes before proceed to the picnic area where we had more snacks and some light meals. It is here that I felt proud, when one of my students, who always seemed to despise me, came on my laps and admitted before other that I was the best teacher ever.
After snacks we played a dew games together before we called it a day. I will agree that the trip helped in building the relationship amongst us because even those pupils that I was concerned about because they seemed not to fit in were all that time blending well with the rest.
By 2 in the afternoon, it was time to call it a day but not before taking some more class photos. We then went back to school hectic but happy about the day before proceed back home. It was one of the best moments of learning.
Did I mention that it was also the best moment for my students recreation away from the boredom of books and classwork?