FedEx delivers more than packages to DC 5th graders

"What did you want to be when you grew up?  What is your favorite part of your job?  Do you get to fly an airplane?  Were you nervous when you met the president?  How can you ship a panda?"

These questions--and many, many more--were posed by 5th grade students from H.D. Cooke Elementary School during a recent visit with members of the Government Affairs team at FedEx Corporation.  Throughout the morning, students were thrilled to meet people in various careers--lobbyists, lawyers, legal assistants, a courier, and even Congresswoman Karen Bass, to name a few.   

Thank you, FedEx, for "delivering" these opportunities!  

Here are a few highlights from this Pathways to Professions experience:

Corporate Vice President of Government Affairs Gina Adams and the FedEx team listen to students share their career goals--which include artists, veterinarians, teachers, chefs, musicians, and pilots!

Congresswoman Bass captivates students with a story about riding in a limousine with President Obama. 

Who knew video conferencing was so fun?  An IT expert demonstrates how FedEx uses technology to bring two meetings together--in different rooms, or even different countries.

Students are shocked to learn that this courier delivers over 300 packages daily--by himself!

Enjoying a great view from the roof after a fantastic day.

What did students think of the experience?  In their own words...

 

Students left with an understanding of the importance of perseverance in academic studies and having a back up plan for their futures.  Thank you LILI for providing students with these life changing experiences!   

--Ms. Crystal Dively, 5th grade teacher, H.D. Cooke ES

Paths to Freedom

In the classroom, students explore Abraham Lincoln’s life and presidency, examining in particular his leadership and decisions during the Civil War and with respect to the signing of the Emancipation Proclamation. 

At the Stephen Decatur House, students dress in period costumes and film a play, “Paths to Freedom,” centered on the day Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation.  Students receive their roles and lines in advance so they have time to practice and memorize their parts.  The Decatur House edits the video and students later enjoy a screening of their performance at school.

Be sure to check out a small bit of the filming with 5th grade students from Kenilworth Elementary! 

From the Live It Learn It Office

Amanda Cooper has been with Live It Learn It since August 2011.

I am lucky. I love my job. Sometimes I feel guilty when my friends are complaining about work and all I can add to the conversation is, “I love my job.” Live It Learn It  increases DCPS student achievement and engagement by connecting content from the classroom to students’ own personal experiences around the city. I know I am biased, but the mission of our organization is so powerful, how could you not love being a part of it? 

When working with students, there is that moment for them when something clicks; it is widely referred to as the “AHA moment.” Last Thursday, on an art trip to The Phillips Collection with 13 5^th graders from Moten Elementary School, there were 13 “AHA moments.” In the classroom prior to their trip, students had studied the Great Migration as told through the artwork of Jacob Lawrence.

Students review causes of the Great Migration.

When we first walked into the Jacob Lawrence exhibit at the Phillips, students gasped and some murmured, “These are the same ones we saw in our class, that’s so cool!” During the next 90 minutes, students viewed 25 of Lawrence’s original 60 panels, exploring the conditions in both the South and North that led to the Great Migration while also discussing themes such as discrimination and labor during this time period.

Discussing life in the North and South

Students arrange panels to create their own 'Migration Story.'

As we were walking out of the exhibit I overheard a conversation between two students:

Student A: “This was such a great afternoon!”

Student B: “I know, this building is magnificent, we are so lucky to be here!”

Back on the bus a student asked me, “Ms. Cooper, are we going to get to learn more about Jacob Lawrence?”

“Of course!” I exclaimed grinning from ear to ear. Silently I thought, "Mission accomplished"…this is why I love my job!

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During their post lesson, Moten 5^th graders told us in their own words what they learned about Jacob Lawrence and their favorite part of the field trip to The Phillips Collection: 
"I learned that life was hard in the South." -Tyrek
"I learned about people migrating to the North." -Jamal 
"My favorite part of the trip was walking through the old house and looking at the panels in the room." -Gennelle
"I learned that Jacob Lawrence was an artist who painted about the Great Migration." -Daryle