What Students Really Learn When Traveling to NYC

By Beth Hedrick

I grew up always wishing and hoping to be able to travel to New York City. I was curious, always have been, of the lifestyle of the locals and the bustle of the city. I remember learning about the history of famous landmarks, such as the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island, and yearning to just go there and see it for myself. Instead, I just sat in my hard desk chair and learned it via movie strip in the classroom.

When I turned thirty, I finally got to go with a friend, because, well, my dream didn’t die. We went for a week, and I remember laying eyes on the city for the first time, intensely awestruck at what I was standing in the middle of. It really is unexplainable. I also remember thinking, ‘Oh, if I could just share this experience with my middle school students…’

That’s what good teachers do. They always think of the best ways to motivate and impart any information into the minds of the young, so they won’t forget it…ever. New York City has so much to offer to students in every subject area. And being there is hands down a once in a lifetime experience.

A Rich History
Visiting New York City is an ideal way to teach students many historical concepts. There is such a dramatic myriad of opportunities to teach history that, of course, it cannot be done in one, two, or even three days. The number of opportunities for learning specific historical concepts is great, therefore, as a teacher you need to plan, plan, and plan some more. The ideal way to give your students the history education that they will always remember is to choose a few key concepts you want them to explore. To combine history with the sciences, many teachers choose one of the largest and most comprehensive museums in the world, The American Museum of Natural History, and others, namely The 911 Memorial, Statue of Liberty, and The Federal Reserve. These are a few icons in which a solid and sound history lesson can be taught.

Science
There is just no comparison to teaching science in a classroom, or even a lab, than allowing them to have direct, real, hands-on experiences and active roles in discovery. This is very true for any age. In fact, even teens love the excitement of an “entertaining” science museum! One amazing, breathtaking experience is the Space Show at the Hayden Planetarium. This experience allows the students to be involved in their learning by allowing them to feel as if they are really a part of the action. It really is a challenge to learn about the miracle of outer space in a classroom setting; which needs to be accomplished in a real-life setting. This type of learning is much more efficient and exciting for students – even those who struggle in a traditional classroom.

The Importance of the Arts
In traditional educational settings, the arts sometimes get put along the wayside, especially in traditional elementary schools. Research demonstrates that children who consistently learn music, art, dance, and media (to name a few) achieve more when learning general subject areas, so this makes me ask, “Where is the A in STEM?” The exhilarating thing about teaching through travel is that the students will take home a wealth of knowledge that will last a lifetime.  One place on the map that students will cherish for a lifetime is visiting The Theater District, which includes Radio City Music Hall and Broadway.

The Epitome of Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism is a topic in which all students should learn about, or better yet, be immersed in. The knowledge and understanding of everyone’s differences in our country, from learning about immigration (hello, Ellis Island!) to being aware of social and cultural differences and how they make up our great nation is so very crucial. New York City undeniably delivers in the teaching and learning of our country’s multiculturalism; it is a city full of diversity, exposing students to people from other cultures. Sharing boroughs and neighborhoods the Italians, Puerto Ricans, Jamaicans, Russians, Koreans, and many more, show the students that people from all walks of life can accept one another’s difference for the sake of humanity.

When visiting New York City, not only will your students learn key concepts according to your curriculum, they will achieve an understanding of the completely unique lifestyle and culture of those who make the illustrious city their home.

Beth Hedrick has been educating students for 22 years. She teaches in a rural southwest Virginia community that values the education of every student. She is the mother of two boys, Aaron and Landon, and is married to Todd.

She is an advocate for Autism Awareness, as her son Landon has Asperger’s Syndrome. She has served on her community and school system’s autism support team. Beth enjoys spending time with family, friends, and her Basset Hound, Lenny. She also likes to read, write, blog, and travel in the summer months.