Learning Comes to Life
Throughout all grades at Grace Episcopal School, learning is active and vibrant. D
uring fourth grade, for example, students participate in a Medieval Times unit. By developing an understanding of life during this time period, the students develop a better understanding and appreciation for life in today’s world. In order to differentiate for various styles and abilities, many activities are provided. The students engage in research projects, learn medieval dances and customs and design and construct castles. Classes are taken on an overnight trip to Dallas, TX to attend an authentic medieval tournament and feast.
Middle School students also have many opportunities to sharpen their creative and critical thinking skills. Eighth grade students, for example, participate in the National Association of Independent School’s Challenge 20/20 program, and they have been partnered with a school in Nigeria to work on the challenge of global warming. At Grace, we believe strongly in offering our students a global perspective, and what better way to demonstrate this awareness than by being engaged with other students from around the world.
The 6th grade trip begins with a trip to Avery Island to the Tabasco plant. There they will learn about the importance of the product on the Lousiana economy. We also go to the Avery Island National wildlife preserve to see real Louisiana wildlife. They get up close to alligators and turtles and learn about the importance of balance in the ecosystem. They also see the largest nesting ground in America for the White Heron. We then go to New Iberia to Mulate's restaurant for an evening of Cajun food and Cajun dancing--yes dancing and they all do it and they have a blast. The next morning we go to Shadows on the Teche, which was once a working sugar plantation and they get to see how life was like in the 1800s and how sugar was a major industry in Louisiana, and how people depended on the waterways for transportation of goods and services. The trip culminates in a swamp tour.
The fifth grade travels to Memphis, TN every year in the spring. The first stop is the Pink Palace, a 75,000 sq. ft. museum of science and history, where the students explore the natural and cultural history of the mid-south. The students also get the chance to catch an IMAX film and visit the Planetarium. After sampling the local cuisine, the class heads to the Memphis Zoo to spend the night on a Zoo Snooze. The students explore the sights and sounds of the zoo after hours. The Snooze includes a study of nocturnal animals, hands-on animal visits, a night safari with the zoo keepers, and a guided tour of the zoo the next morning. The Memphis Zoo Snooze has recently been featured on NBC’s Today Show.
