Field Trips
Fourth graders at McGrath Elementary take part in two big field trips each year.![]()
Our first trip comes in late fall as we travel to Lansing. Students visit our state Capitol building, taking a tour along the glass floor in the rotunda, visiting the governor’s office, and watching the House or Senate, if in session. Last year, we saw the Senate vote on and approve a bill to limit the sale of sugary food in schools.
Students also take a tour of the Michigan Historical Museum, which is the fourth grade Social Studies curriculum in real life.
Click here for details on the 2006 Michigan Capitol and Historical Museum trip.
Last year was McGrath’s first trip to Mackinaw in several years. We visited Colonial Fort Michilimackinac, ferried over to Mackinaw Island, toured and ate at the Grand Hotel, took a horse-drawn carriage ride around the island, visited Fort Mackinaw, and shopped in the city. Get more information about the trip by visiting the Mackinaw Trip page, updated as trip planning progresses.
Due to a cost of approximately $100 per student, this trip requires a lot of fundraising or donations. You can prepare for this trip by setting aside $15 per month. By the time April comes around, you’ll have the trip funds already saved, without really noticing the missing $15 per month.
Other trips
McGrath fourth graders also take a couple trips just for fun and team-building. These include a bowling trip to Grand Blanc Lanes just before Christmas break, and a roller skating trip to Roll Haven just before school ends for the summer.
Room 130 takes one additional field trip in the spring to perform a Poetry Slam at Border’s Book Store on Miller Road in Flint Township. There, we read poetry we write in the spring to shoppers, friends and family members in the Borders Cafe.
Chaperones
We always need chaperones for field trips, usually about six adults for each trip. Chaperones are permitted to ride the buses, but must pay for any admissions.
If you would like to chaperone for any of these field trips, contact me using the form below:


