By Delphine Michaud
Each year, our 5th Grade students eagerly await their three day trip to Washington D.C. This overnight trip supports the 5th Grade’s Unit of Inquiry on “Government, Constitutions, and Civic Symbols”. From February 24th to 26th, our students visited the US capital, taking part in tours and visiting several locations in D.C. These experiences helped our students piece together the nation’s complicated history and allowed them to see firsthand how our government functions to uphold our Constitution and Bill of Rights.
The adventure began as the bus pulled away from ISB, the students full of excitement. Day one kicked off with a visit to the US Supreme Court. On their tour, students learned more about how the Court selects which cases it will hear, how many cases are presented each week, and how the Justices work to remain a unified court even in the face of dissent. Finally, students were able to see the actual chambers and courtroom used by the Supreme Court Justices. The students noted the black sash that was wrapped around Justice Scalia’s chair, a tribute to his recent passing. At the end of each day, students participated in a fun quiz to recap all they learned, then everyone retired to the hotel to unwind.
On day two, we spent a full day in Mount Vernon, the original home of George Washington, exploring the life and work of the first President of the United States. Actors there took on the roles of George and Martha Washington and their slaves. The actors interacted with the students, providing insight into the harsh realities of slavery in pre- and post-Revolutionary America and focusing on the role slaves played in Washington’s life and in the establishment of our country.
On the last day of the trip, the morning started with a trip to the National Archives, where students viewed two important historical documents that form the foundation of the United States and its government: the Constitution and the Bill of Rights. We spent time taking in the grand space that stores these documents, a space adorned with paintings that tell the story of our nation’s origin.
We completed our trip with a visit to the United States Capitol. The students went on a tour that transported them back in time, and they learned about how the seat of our government was established and how the challenges of war interfered with that process. The building’s glory came to life through the guide’s storytelling. After a long, fun, educational three days in the nation’s capital, the group boarded the bus on Friday afternoon and returned to ISB.
This trip was an important opportunity for our students to employ the PYP skills they have built throughout their time at ISB. Students had to be risk takers: for some, this was their first multi-day trip away from their home and parents. Once in D.C., students used their best inquiry, listening, and critical thinking skills to analyze and synthesize all of the information they learned.
