Take Me NOT to the Ball Game
Has it really been over 2 months since I wrote anything? My apologies to my, uh, fans:-)
Last week I had a field trip request denied by the executive director of high schools. You tell me what you think about her reasoning. The plan was to take my ESL class to a major league baseball game (The Braves) on a Thursday at 1:00. My principal signed her approval for the trip (after which I went and bought the tickets), but the executive director subsequently denied it. I submitted a heartfelt plea in writing, and she responded stating three reasons for the denial.
Number one: "Not a good use of instructional time." This despite the fact that I had clearly explained the specific curriculum connection of exposing the students to aspects of American culture--and what's more American than a day at the ballpark? I also assured her that my lesson included teaching them related vocabulary, the history and cultural significance of baseball, and having them write a narrative about their experience the following day. Furthermore, the students would have missed only one class period that day.
Number two: "Unacceptable mode of transportation." I had planned to save the school money by taking the students on MARTA, Atlanta's public transportation system. Public transportation unacceptable? Nevermind that a) the school system gives out hundreds of student MARTA passes weekly, and b) that learning to use public transportation is also a specific curriculum objective of the ESL program, not to mention something the students really need.
Number three: "Trips of this nature should be held on Saturdays." Are you going to pay me?
Some people refuse to think outside their own little box.
I'd love to hear anyone's thoughts.
7:12:54 PM 
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