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Classroom Practice/Program

Exchange Field Trips

By Valerie Vinnard

Field trips enhance student learning, boost confidence, improve social skills, provide cultural enrichment,
and improve academic performance. Field trips also allow students to collaborate with their peers, explore
new environments, make connections,
problem solve, and develop trust and
empathy. As a music educator, I enjoy
taking students on educational and
enriching field trips such as singing
at the local convalescent hospital, at
the Museum of Latin American Art,
and at the office of the mayor of Long
Beach. One field trip that I particularly
enjoy having students experience is
a collegiate choral music exchange
field trip. I have taken several groups
to Cal State Long Beach over the
years. Thanks to a grant from the
RuMBa Foundation of Long Beach,
my fifth-grade chorus students from
Birney Elementary School and I
recently participated in a first-time
choral music exchange field trip at Grade 5 students from Birney perform at LBCC.
Long Beach City College (LBCC).

Long Beach City College Field Trip
The event began as we were greeted at the school bus by our host, Dr. Andrea Calderwood, who serves
as the advanced vocal jazz choir director at LBCC. She took us on a brief tour of the campus and directed us
to lunch tables where we dined and enjoyed the college campus atmosphere. Students were mesmerized by
the size of the campus and were in awe as each college student passed.
Some of our fifth graders even complimented the college students’ hair
and attire, engaging freely with them. Students were also enthralled
while watching a skateboarder performing tricks for them and had fun
giving him “high fives.”
After lunch, we enjoyed taking a group photo at LBCC’s iconic
M Building mural, “Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow.” On March 13,
2024, artist Paul Botello spoke at the unveiling of this first mural on
campus, noting it commemorates his vision of inclusivity, community,
and diversity. According to Botello, “‘Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow’
represents all of the academic disciplines offered at LBCC, the idea
that ‘your voice matters,’ and how every aspect of campus life and
individuality is embraced and included” (Doherty, 2024, para. 5).
Harmoniously, Botello’s vison also coincides with our Long Beach
Birney students pose in front of Unified School District goals of celebrating student inclusivity,
the inspiring LBCC mural. community, and diversity.

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Collegial Exchange
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