Thank you for your interest in "Experience History," our fourth and fifth grade field trip.
The Day's Schedule -
A typical day's schedule looks something like this:
| | Group 1 | Group 2 | Group 3 |
| 10:15-11:00 | Timucuans, Trains, & Tress in Rec Center Building |
| 11:05-11:35 | Dress-up Game | Detective Search | Heritage Musuem |
| 11:40-12:10 | Heritage Musuem | Dress-up Game | Detective Search |
| 12:15-12:45 | Detective Search | Heritage Musuem | Dress-up Game |
Your schedule may be slightly different depending on your arrival time, lunch plans, and mode of transportation.
We begin the day at the Old Fire Station Recreation Center (127 S. Boyd Street, Winter Garden, FL 34787) with a
presentation called Timucuans, Trains, and Trees. The interactive Powerpoint presentation includes photos from
the Heritage Foundation archives. Using a timeline, we walk through the 20th century decade by decade, discussing national
and international events and how those events impacted the West Orange County area.
Some of the topics discussed are:
- the affect of the building of railroads in Florida,
- the Boom era of 1910-1929,
- early Florida tourism,
- the bust of 1929,
- the Great Depression and Roosevelt's New Deal,
- World War II, and
- the Federal Highway Act
In addition, topics of local interest are included such as:
- the tremendous growth in central Florida as a result of the Space Race and Walt Disney World;
- the pollution of Lake Apopka and its effect on local tourism;
- and the demise of the citrus industry in Orange County due to freezing temperatures and population growth
After the initial presentation, the large group divides into smaller groups (usually individual classes) that rotate
between three activities. Each activity takes approximately 30 minutes. In the Detective Search, the group is guided
by a Heritage Foundation volunteer along historic Plant Street and students use "detective skills" to match old
building photos to the buildings as they look now. At the Heritage Museum, students find information pertaining to
"Citizen Heroes". In the Dress-up Game students are divided into four groups and costumed as Timucuan Indians, citrus
farmers, Plant Street business owners, or outdoor enthusiasts (who.ve come to fish in Lake Apopka). Costumed students
are then asked "Why did your group come to this area?" "When did your group come?" "Is your group still in the area
or did they leave?" and "If your group left, why?" To answer the questions, students must critical thinking skills to
digest and interpret what they learned in the initial presentation.
It's a full day. We ask you to do your very best to see that your group arrives on time. We don't want you to miss
out on any part of the day.
Sunshine State Standards -
This field trip addresses a variety of Sunshine State Standards
in Social Studies for fourth and fifth grade children.
In addition, the classroom exercises are designed to address and reinforce these standards.
Number of Students -
We prefer to take no more than 3 classes (75 students) on one day.
Snack -
Because the field trip isn't over until 12:45 p.m., we suggest that you bring a drink and snack for the students to eat
either on the way to Winter Garden or between activities.
Lunch -
After completing the planned activities, your group might like to stay for lunch. Packed lunches and a cooler for
drinks can be stored at the Recreation Center during the field trip. Lunch can be eaten either in the Recreation Center
or at the covered picnic pavilion at the West Orange Trailhead about two blocks from the Museum.
Teacher, parent, and chaperone participation -
We like it when parents and chaperones participate and help out during the day's activities. We.ve found that the more
the students see the adults participating and enjoying the activities, the more the students are actively interested in
the material.
Cameras -
Feel free to bring cameras. There are several locations along historic downtown Plant Street that make great
backgrounds for group shots.
Weather -
Some parts of the day the classes will be outdoors. During the Detective Search, each class will be walking along the
West Orange Trail in the historic downtown looking at buildings. While walking between the three activities, you will
be outdoors. We recognize that it is difficult and costly to cancel a bus reservation. Consequently, please have your
students dress appropriately for the weather. Bring jackets/hats on cold days, raincoats/umbrellas on wet days, and
hat/water on hot days.
Pre and post field trip classroom lessons -
Several classroom lessons have been designed to enhance the field trip experience.
- Significant Events Timeline
is a preparation exercise outlining some of the events and topics that will be discussed during the day.
- Economic Changes in Central Florida
identifies reasons for the change from rural to urban center in Central Florida.
- Early Florida Tourism uses a 1930s travel brochure as a primary source
to answer questions about early tourism.
- Lake Apopka
presents the history of the lake from the days of the Timucuan Indian to its present polluted condition.
Teacher Survey -
The
teacher survey is very important to us for two reasons. First, we are constantly
evaluating and improving the
tour based on teachers "input". Secondly, when we complete grant applications, they always ask to see evaluation of
our programs. Please, please have every teacher complete and return the survey, either via e-mail or postal service.
Mailed surveys can be sent to: Winter Garden Heritage Foundation, P. O. Box 770657, Winter Garden, FL 34777.
Thanks again for your interest in our program. We can't wait to see you.
Sincerely,
Kay Cappleman
Education Coordinator
kcappleman@cfl.rr.com
407-375-4833
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