School field trips, 1958-1969, Chapel Street Public School, Georgetown, Ontario, Oakridge High School, London, Ontario
When I was a child and an adolescent attending Ontario elementary and secondary institutions of higher learning, school trips were a primary source of pleasure and intellectual stimulation, starting as early as first grade.
When students see the real-world relevance of what they learn, their motivation and engagement soar. This can be particularly transformative for those who find it difficult to connect with traditional classroom instruction.
Learning is a deeply social process, and class trips provide fertile ground for social and emotional development.
No two students learn in exactly the same way. Class trips are uniquely positioned to cater to a broad range of learning styles.
One of the most enduring gifts of a class trip is inspiration. Many adults trace their career paths, passions, or pivotal moments of discovery back to a memorable field trip.
My love for theatre stems from such trips, particularly memorable being junkets to Toronto with our “Enriched English” classes from Oakridge High School, in London, Ontario, headed by teachers Art Fidler and Pat Kaye.
Art for our sake – Robert McBryde
My favourite such outing involved attending “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” in the winter of 1968, showcased at the Playhouse Theatre in Toronto.
https://www.torontojourney416.com/bayview-theatre/
“You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” was a hit due to its nostalgic appeal, relatable characters, and simple yet engaging story, The musical captures the essence of the “Peanuts” comic strip, bringing its whimsical, family-friendly world to life through catchy songs and clever dialogue, evoking a sense of nostalgia and warmth.
The characters, like Charlie Brown, Snoopy, and Lucy, represent universal experiences and emotions while the musical explores themes of friendship, self-doubt, happiness, and the importance of appreciating the small things in life, which resonate with audiences of all ages.
Snoopy, with his playful antics and witty monologues, often steals the show, further enhancing the musical’s appeal.
Such thespian outings became a staple of my own pedagogy during my 35-year teaching career, as every school year I would organize at least one field trip to Montreal from Quebec City for my junior college theatre and drama students.
And guess which sketches became recurring presentations in our annual theatre week productions?
You’ve got it, excerpts from “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” to be sure…with the character of Charlie Brown particularly lending himself to androgynous interpretations. Right Maya Doucet? Right Kerry Marcotte?
Recently my wife, who is afflicted with glioblastoma, a particularly aggressive, incurable form of brain cancer, has decided that I’m a Charlie Brown character and has lifted her embargo on virtue-signaling clothing, urging me to don Charlie Brown apparel. When she tells me ‘ You’re a good man, Charlie Brown,’ it is a compliment, for a lad and a dad who may seem a bit insecure/awkward and can stumble a little when trying to do a good deed.
The image of Snoopy characters indelibly permeates our last days together.
Your friend,
Robert
https://robertmcbrydeauthor.com/