On Feb. 16, Spanish teachers Jordan Deener, Otto Corzo, and 36 students from the upper-level Spanish classes extended their learning beyond the walls of MCHS by taking a trip down to the Art Institute of Chicago for a day filled with culture, art, food, and fun.

In the class, students were learning about Spanish artists and so rather than just have students look at images on their Chromebooks, Deener and Corzo took their students to the Art Institute to see it the artists’ work in person. They hoped this would help students apply their knowledge outside of school and it gives it a greater sense of relevance.

Melanie Long, a senior at McHenry West Campus likes the idea of taking learning out into the community.

“I wish we were able to take more field trips, so we are able to connect the classroom to the real world,” Long said.

Deener said there’s something special about viewing an original piece of work, rather than just an image or replica on a screen.

“The connection is better when you see the work, and the size, rather than looking at a picture of the work,” said Deener. 

From what they observed on the trip, Deener and Corzo said they felt students enjoyed the experience, which students volunteered to attend outside school hours on a Saturday.

“I wish we were able to take the students during a school day so more could come,” Corzo said. “… on a Saturday, [many] students have family plans or sports,” Corzo said, which made it difficult for some students to attend.

Deener and Corzo said they hope to continue providing unique opportunities like this for their students in the future.