Eighth Grade Takes Revolutionary War Learning to Philadelphia

For Peck’s eighth graders, studying the American Revolution doesn’t stop at the classroom door.

As part of their study of the Revolutionary War period, eighth graders recently traveled to Philadelphia for a day of hands-on learning throughout Old City. The annual trip gives students the opportunity to see firsthand the historic sites they have been studying in class, and to take on the role of a teacher themselves.

Before the trip, each student researched a particular historical site and prepared a short report, becoming the group’s resident expert on that location. During the walking tour, students traveled through Old City in small groups, stopping at sites such as Independence Hall and sharing what they had learned with their classmates before moving on to the next location.

The trip continued as students visited the Museum of the American Revolution, where students explored the exhibits and encountered artifacts connected to the period they have been studying. Museum docents challenged students with questions throughout the visit, giving them a chance to demonstrate how much they had retained and make connections between their classroom learning and the objects and stories on display.

And, of course, no Philadelphia trip would be complete without a stop at Reading Terminal Market. After a full day of history, students were given time to explore the market and choose their own lunch from its many vendors.

With students leading the way as historians, the trip offered a chance to step out of the classroom, walk through the places where history happened, and experience their studies in a whole new way.