Last week, I had the opportunity to take my 4th School Tours of America trip, but my first trip to Boston. As a 5th grade social studies teacher, this trip was especially meaningful because I got to watch my students experience so many of the places we had spent the school year learning about.

For me, that’s what these trips are all about—making history come alive. It’s one thing to read about events in a book or hear your teacher tell a story, but it’s completely different when they get to stand where history actually happened.

One of my favorite parts of the trip was the Boston Tea Party experience. I loved that each of us was given the identity of a real person who participated in the event. It really helped us step back in time and imagine what it was like. Of course, getting to throw the tea into the harbor was pretty fun too!

Another highlight was the whale-watching tour out of Plymouth. The humpback whales came so close to the boat that I got sprayed with water. I’ve never seen anything like it. It was absolutely amazing and something I’ll never forget.

Walking the Freedom Trail was another favorite. We visited so many places that I had taught my 5th graders about throughout the year. Watching those lessons connect with real-life experiences was incredibly rewarding.

Every STA trip gives students memories that last a lifetime, and this Boston trip was no exception. We had an amazing week, and we’re already looking forward to our next adventure in Washington, D.C. next summer!!!