Day 3

Exhausted.  That describes me at the moment.  Finally getting to sit/lay down and write this blog post. What a day!  The kids are having a great time and so are the chaperones.  Let's start with the great news.  After Medieval Times tonight our waitress came up to the chaperones and told us our students were the best group they ever had.  They complimented them on their politeness with the wait staff.  Then when we got back to the hotel the night manager complimented us on their behavior in the hotel.  Great job parents!  They learn this from your modeling, not what we've done in the last three days.

The day started with a trip to the Shedd Aquarium.  The students got to see fish, dolphins, penguins, coral, sharks, and many other marine life.  We were treated to a show titled "Fantasea."




Rather than talk about the Beluga whales, penguins, dolphins, hawk, and seal, the show simply showed off their natural behaviors.  The students also were able to see a penguin up close with a demonstration in the viewing area.

Next we moved over to the Field Museum.  While there we saw Sue, the largest full-bodied T-Rex in the world.  The ladies loved the Diamond Exhibit detailing the mining and cutting of the stones.  Other exhibits included birds and mammals, Egypt, the Americas, and Africa.  My group tried to move a 6,000 lb rock cut to match one found in the pyramids.  The 12 of them worked hard, but they were unable to budge the stone.


After this, it was on to The Art Institute of Chicago.  The students were treated to paintings by Monet, Van Gogh, Seurat, Renoir, and Georgia O'Keefe to name a few.  We only had a little over an hour but the students saw a ton of works both old and modern.  My group even got to go into the School of Art (accidently went in the wrong door).  As we left we did see an artist using a Smartboard to create a piece.  Mrs. Martin is going to try this on Mrs. Figueroa's new Smartboard when we get back.

We then wound down with a bus ride to the Woodfield Mall.  Almost all of the students took about an hour nap on the way.  The rest of us watched a movie.  At the mall students were able to buy some items.  Mr. Evans found several things for the Lego Club at the Lego store.

To cap our night we went to Medieval Times.  We were given the Red and Yellow crowns in support of our knight.  We ate a meal of soup, bread, cornish hen, ribs, and potato; all without any utensils.  Our warrior lost his first battle but it was fun watch the jousting, fighting, and other knight games.  The real party started afterwards when DJ Miller was able to get a dance circle going in the foyer after dinner.  The sprinkler, shopping cart, stanky leg, worm, and various break dancing moves were all seen on the floor.
On the way home my bus broke out into singing different hit songs acapella.  The best part was the fact that the majority of the students knew Journey's "Don't Stop Believing."  The chaperones were rapping, dancing, and singing.  It's been a great trip.  It will wind down tomorrow and we'll be back at home.  Look forward to seeing everyone again.