Atlanta History Center Field Trip/Lois Ruby Visit

Atlanta History Center Field Trip/Lois Ruby Visit

As you know, Fifth Grade Social Studies curriculum in Georgia covers American history from the Civil War to present day. As a supplement to this curriculum and our language arts curriculum, we are excited to be able to offer the following opportunities to the fifth graders at RSE:

• A visit from Lois Ruby, author of Steal Away Home, on Thursday, September 15th. Ms. Ruby will spend the day with our fifth graders conducting writing workshops and/or classroom discussions and having an assembly with the 5th graders (parents are welcome to attend the assembly). This is an incredible opportunity for our children, and we are excited to be able to offer this to the fifth graders at Rock Spring Elementary.

• A field trip to Atlanta History Center on Friday, September 16thto experience the interactive tour, “The Price of Freedom” a tour about the Civil War. In this tour, students contemplate whether the Civil War was worth the cost to our nation through a variety of activities. Students formulate their own answer to this essential question as they role play as a civil war soldier in the Atlanta History Center’s Turning Point exhibition and make realistic, vital decisions that could affect their character’s life. Moving on to explore the Civil War through the eyes of Atlanta civilians, students experience the sights and sounds of a simulated bomb shelter during General Sherman’s epic bombardment in 1864 and learn what it would be like to live on the homefront in a target city. Later, in an inquiry-based classroom activity, students use critical thinking skills as they examine primary sources to discover why the South seceded from the Union. Lastly, students view a lively dramatic performance that illuminates the Emancipation Proclamation as both a political tool and an instrument of liberation. By the end of this tour, students will have done more than studied the history, they will have participated in it. We will plan to leave Rock Spring at 8:30am and return at 1:30 pm.

A $37 donation is requested to cover the amount of the trip and author’s visit.

The $37 donation may be paid in one payment by August 19, 2016 or may be split into two payments:

• First payment of $20 due by Friday, August 19, 2016.
• Second payment of $17 due by Friday, September 2, 2016.

Please include the following information on all checks: Student Name, 5th Grade, Teacher, purpose of payment, and a telephone number.

Chaperones for this trip will be $10, and chaperones will need to drive or carpool to AHC. Please indicate on the attached form if you would like to serve as a chaperone on this trip. Transportation for chaperones on the buses will not be an option on this trip. If you would like to attend, we would need you to drive to the Atlanta History Center. To ensure you have a spot available, please send your full payment in as soon as possible.

Thank you,

Mrs. Griffis and Mrs. French

Rock Spring Elementary School