Learning Beyond the Classroom

Learning Beyond the Classroom was originally written by Beth Vinyard (teacher at Adolesco Prep)

Last summer, on June 6, 2024, the world’s nations recognized the 80th anniversary of the D-Day Invasion. This pivotal moment in history was solemnly marked across the globe. Veterans and others who remember honored the valiant servicemen who sacrificed so much to stop Germany’s advance.

As part of our focus on the modern era, our Adolesco Prep history students spent several weeks examining the political and social events that led to the rise of Adolph Hitler. We also studied how the nations responded to his cruel treatment of Jewish people. And this was only the beginning…

Students did more than the normal school experience of focusing on battles and major events. We examined the war efforts in America. Students honored family members who served. Though difficult, we grieved the inhumanity of the Holocaust. We discussed the ethics of the nuclear bomb. Finding personal connections makes historical events more tangible.

However, the classroom only takes you so far. We decided to go…

Beyond the Classroom

Fortunately, here in Southeast Louisiana, the National World War II Museum is within our reach! So we took learning beyond the classroom

Last March, Adolesco Prep’s 4th – 9th grades went to New Orleans’ WWII Museum. This trip beyond the classroom enabled us to experience the incredible courage and fortitude of the “Greatest Generation.”

Real Experiences

To begin our trip, students were assigned the name of a serviceman or woman. Following the life of a real person (many not much older than our students) made real challenges these men and women faced come to life. More than simply reading books, students visited galleries explaining how Germany accomplished the infamous blitzkrieg. They touched physical evidence of the well-trained German army and the technologically advanced Luftwaffe. 

Exhibits detailed just how poorly prepared the United States was to fight a global war and how quickly the resilient Americans closed that deficit. Students learned about the requirements of the war effort at home and how many women stepped up to take on the manufacturing roles usually occupied by men. Our students also learned about the locally manufactured Higgins boats which played such a vital role in the D-Day invasion. Students were awed by the WWII planes on display and visited galleries devoted to the European and Pacific theaters of war. 

In addition, the students viewed a movie titled, “Beyond All Boundaries” which provides a concise and comprehensive overview of the entire WWII Era.

Here’s the trailer:

But most of all, our students put faces and names to these historic events. With a fuller perspective, they now understand that war is more than rulers and battles in history books. It has a real human cost. Unfortunately, this is nearly impossible to explain in typical school settings. That’s why Adolesco Prep always looks to take learning beyond the classroom.

This world-class museum was a wonderful culmination of our students’ exploration of WWII. We plan to make it a regular visit when we study the Modern Era.

To learn more about Adolesco Prep’s rigorous education model sign up for a parent interest meeting.