Learning Outside the Classroom

This section of the course is meant to give you an opportunity to put your skills to work, experience something new, have a choice in what you learn, and hopefully have some fun. Your job is to visit ONE of the places listed below, and write about your experience. In order to receive any credit you must do all of the following:

1) Choose something NEW for you. Obviously, I am depending on your honor to do this. By experiencing something new, you will learn more, which is the point. I encourage you to get out of your comfort zone, and try something you wouldn't ordinarily think of.

2) Provide some proof (i.e., a dated admission ticket) you were there.

3) Write about your experience, addressing all four of the following:

A) What were your expectations, thoughts, desires, etc., before you went? (Obviously, do this BEFORE you go).

B) Describe your experience in general. For example, what did you like/not like? What surprised you? What might have been better? What was the day like? Did you go with anyone? How did having others along affect your experience?

Or ???

C) What was the best part of your learning experience? Why? What could have been better? Why?

D) Reflect on your expectations and experiences. What was the most important thing you learned? Were you inspired to learn more? How are you different now that you have had your experience?

E) Your paper must be in standard MLA format, and turned in by the due date I give you. Please see me if you have questions or ideas.

I have chosen several webpages below to help guide you, and I will update this page as I come across new ideas (if you have some, please let me know). Some are of cultural interest, some historic, some literary. Whichever you choose, take the time to really LOOK, SEE and EXPLORE where you go. Read what there is to read, listen to docents or guides, and take deep advantage of the experience. You won't enjoy it fully unless you give it your best. Happy exploring. In no particular order:

The Western Railway Museum: http://www.wrm.org/

Jack London State Park: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=478

Robert Louis Stevenson State Park: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=472

California State Railroad Museum: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=668

Sutter's Fort State Historic Park: http://www.parks.ca.gov/?page_id=485

The National Steinbeck Museum in Salinas: http://www.steinbeck.org/

The Steinbeck House in Salinas: http://www.steinbeckhouse.com/

Visit one of the California Missions: http://www.missionscalifornia.com/

The nearest are: http://www.missionscalifornia.com/keyfacts/san-francisco-solano.html (in Sonoma)

http://www.missionscalifornia.com/keyfacts/san-francisco.html (in San Francisco)

http://www.missionscalifornia.com/keyfacts/san-jose.html

http://www.missionscalifornia.com/keyfacts/san-rafael-arcangel.html