On May 1, the fourth grade goes on a field trip to the State Capitol. This was a great way to learn about the government because the students got to see it in action and meet real lawmakers.
When Miss Gyhra was asked what they got to see and learn, she replied, “We got to first see the 14th floor of the capitol, which is the very top floor. We saw the governor's mansion from above and the beautiful artwork that is at the top. Then, we received a guided tour of the main floor of the capitol, including the front walkway, the Supreme Court, and the legislative floor while they were in session. We sat at the top in the balconies while they called our name and we waved down at our lawmakers. The cherry on top was getting a personal hello from District 1 senator Bob Hallstrom. Since we studied him in class, the students knew who he was right away and they lit up at the sight of him. The guided tour specifically teaches us about the history of the building and the jobs of those who work inside the building.”
When asked what the students thought about it, she answered, “The students loved going to the top since it is a bit of an adrenaline rush being up so high. They were very impressed with how ornate the Supreme Court is as they sat in carved wooden seats. Seeing government in action really helped them solidify what the process of passing a bill into a law looks like. Morrill Hall was also a fan favorite since there are a ton of things you can touch and things you can't see anywhere else.”
What a great way to learn!
