My students need support in funding a tour of the Biltmore Estates where they will experience the legacy and culture of Biltmore on its surrounding community.
This travel experience will connect our learning adventures inside the classrooms to a much grander, memorable adventure. Students will see their cultural Appalachian roots entwined throughout this palatial estate as they consider the literature, art, and history studied throughout the school year.
My 8th grade students are from a rural community in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
These young learners are eager for the opportunity to learn through exploration and adventure. Not unlike other schools in our current economic time, we are challenged in our ability to provide travel learning experiences. Our students face additional travel challenges due to our rural location and socioeconomic situation.
In addition to providing an authentic learning opportunity that connects academic learning within the classroom, this field trip would provide opportunities for socialization and exposure to new environments. This exposure for many of our students will potentially be life-altering and advantageous, particularly for those students who are less fortunate and may never otherwise be provided travel opportunities. Additionally, it will provide new perspective and adventure and will engage the curiosity of all of our young learners.
My Project
In addition to being a culturally enriching experience, this field trip will connect many academic skills learned inside the classroom to their experience at Biltmore.
Our tour of the Biltmore Estate will include guided tours of the home and farm. Students will hear tour guides describe folklore and tradition of both the Vanderbilt family and of the supporting Appalachian community. They will learn of the historical, architecture, agricultural, art, and literary sources of inspiration that George Vanderbilt drew from as inspiration in the creation of his legacy. Students will be exposed to the field-to-farm concepts of Biltmore farms and will observe past and current farming techniques utilized on estate grounds. From a science perspective, students will learn of Biltmore's long term efforts to renew, recycle, sustain, and conserve. Additionally, students will learn of Biltmore's leadership in the creation of our nation's managed forestry program.
It is impossible to express the educational and personal value of this experience for our students.
How can you put into words the value of a memory students will carry for a lifetime? In our study of the novel "The Outsiders", character Johnny Cade says he lived all of his life never even seeing the world outside of his neighborhood. Many of my students strongly identify with this statement. This project will help educate our students through gaining greater world knowledge.
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As a teacher-founded nonprofit, we're trusted by thousands of teachers and supporters across the country. This classroom request for funding was created by Teacher Hawkins and reviewed by the DonorsChoose team.
