Grade 7: Urban Field Trip Prepares Students for DC
Seventh-graders ventured off campus to explore downtown Denver recently as a way to connect their spring trip to Washington D.C. to learning throughout the school year.
Students and chaperones rode the light rail to Union Station where they enjoyed a visit with Graland parent, Chris Frampton. Mr. Frampton is a developer whose team designed and built the Union Station transportation hub five years ago, a massive project that includes the light rail, heavy rail and bus lines. He described the station’s features such as a five-foot thick floor and ventilation for the bus fumes as well as its use by thousands of commuters each day. Following that, students were able to explore both the modern and historic areas of Union Station as well as the 16th Street Mall, Larimer Square, Confluence Park, Dairy Block and Coors Field among other sites before catching the E Line back toward Graland. In class that afternoon, seventh-graders researched Denver landmarks such as the Brown Palace, Pepsi Center and Elitch Gardens in order to present a brief report to their peers.
These preparations -- using public transportation, navigating through crowds as a group, researching landmarks -- are designed to preview their experience in DC. There are two more experiential learning excursions planned; for example, students will study the Colorado state capitol before the adventure to our nation’s capital, Apr. 27 to May 1.
Graland Country Day School
Graland Country Day School is a private school in Denver, Colorado, serving students in preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school. Founded in Denver in 1927, Graland incorporates a rich, experiential learning approach in a traditional classroom setting, emphasizing the development of globally and socially conscious leaders who excel academically.
