These days, some schools frown upon trips that take kids out of school, even if the travel is educational. For example, the principal of a school in Pennsylvania made the news recently when she told a father that his children would receive unexcused absences for accompanying him on his trip to Boston to run the Boston Marathon. For that principal, time away from school apparently means that children aren’t learning.

At the Leelanau School, we think differently. We believe that education doesn’t just happen in the classroom, but that it can also happen off campus. In fact, we schedule experiential learning trips for our students so that they can go on the road and interact with each other in different settings. These trips not only enhance the students’ studies, they also provide them with real life experiences that are invaluable.

Two groups of students recently went on such trips, heading to major Midwestern cities to further their knowledge while having some off-campus fun.

On Thursday, April 23, Cindy Leo’s improv class departed for a weekend trip to Chicago to witness professional improvisation at its best. The class at Leelanau studies the Second City style of improv, so they attended two shows at the Second City Theater. The newer of the two productions, “Soul Brother, Where Art Thou?,” was described by Ms. Leo as “uproariously funny.”

The class also took in an improvised Shakespeare performance at the ImprovOlympic Theater. At the suggestion of student Matthew E., the group decided to see “Macbeth 4: Hawaiian Havoc,” a completely improvised Shakespearean play. The distinctive combination of improv and William Shakespeare did not disappoint, and the ImprovOlympic rendition was, in a word, “hilarious.”

That same weekend, art teacher Kaz McCue and Spanish teacher Kimberly Speicher accompanied another group of students on an interdisciplinary trip to see the special Diego Rivera and Frida Kahlo exhibit at the Detroit Institute of Arts (DIA).

After enjoying a delicious meal at Xochimilco, an authentic restaurant in Detroit’s Mexicantown, students spent Saturday at the DIA touring the very special art exhibit. Along with many original paintings by both artists—including Rivera’s famous “Detroit Industry Murals” that adorn the walls of the DIA—there were a number of photographs of Rivera and Kahlo on display.

While viewing the Rivera murals, students completed a “Where’s Waldo?” type of search activity that encouraged them to examine the art very closely. They were also able to express their personal opinions about the murals through some guided questions. Pre-trip activities and learning about the artists heightened the students’ appreciation of seeing the art in person.

Learning in a classroom is one thing, but being able to travel to see what you’re studying up close and personal adds a unique and valuable layer to the educational experience. It also gives kids a chance to escape the rigors of campus life and put some of the life skills they’ve learned to use. These trips are just another part of what makes the Leelanau School so special.

 

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