Arizona Sonora Desert Museum Field Trip
On May 10, the Literacy Connects Writing Workshop took a field trip to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum in Tucson. We took a van and a private vehicle from Literacy Connects through the hills of Gates Pass to the museum. Students gazed at the saguaros, buildings, and lots of desert vegetation. It was a hot day for the nine people. Articles in this newsletter describe what we saw and did.
Overview of the Museum Trip
By Francisca Peraza
On the morning of May 10, 2018, my school and my teachers invited me and the other students to the Arizona Sonora Desert Museum. While my tutor drove her car, I watched all around. I looked at thousands of saguaros all over the hills. They were blooming white flowers of all different sizes. The road had a lot of bends. When I saw under the bends, they were deep; it was scary.
When we arrived, the first things I saw were statues of bronze of a family of javelinas. They were caring and loving and were respecting each other. When we walked onward, the first animal we watched was a deer. It was resting in the shade. We saw gray wolves. They were restless, walking from one side to the other. The foxes stayed still down on the ground. We saw the eagles; they looked restless in a lot of heat. We heard the parrot as it talked.
The limestone cave had gems and minerals. We watched the fish inside of big aquariums with different colors. I saw the owl; it stood over in his rocks on his burrow. It was resting peacefully. We were seeing a lot of hummingbirds. They are a different species. They had a long beak. They flew freely everywhere.
The prairie dogs that I saw stood up over their burrows. One of them was eating vegetables. The showing lady showed us skulls of four different animals: javelina, wolf, bear, and coyote. They had different teeth. I saw a little squirrel hurry up while digging her burrow. I saw the chollas. They were prickly.
I enjoyed myself. The best part of this was when we ordered food at the restaurant. I got carne asada tacos especially because the day was Mexican Mother’s Day. I felt wonderful. Thank you sooo much.
The Restaurant
By Francisca Peraza
It was wonderful in the restaurant when I ordered food. The restaurant is nice. It is clean. It had an attendant with attention for us. When we ordered the food I ordered three tacos with rice and whole beans. My friend ordered a pizza and potato fries. Another of my friends ordered salad. My tutor ordered hamburger, and my other tutor ordered salad.
Then when we were done eating we walked a little more, about half an hour, before the excursion was done. We were there about four hours. We walked, observed all the animals of other species.
As Pretty as a Wedding
By Omar Cunningham
I missed the trip but I feel like I was there because you all bring it to me – thanks. I like all of the photos and the animals. The hummingbird is pretty cool, and the bobcat too. Well, to me the trip looks peaceful and calm. I think that the cactus was the most attractive and pretty thing I have seen.
Their multiple colors were like being on a cruise. I used to work for a lady named Esther, who catered weddings. She set up places with tables and chairs and did whatever it took to make the place look pretty. The colorful cactus took me back to that past. As for the field trip, it seems like it was impressive and awesome for everyone. I will tell you more later. I have so much to say about the trip. The photos are pretty nice.
The Drive
By Paul Green
Our trip started from Literacy Connects to the museum. We rode uphill and downhill. I saw a lot of cactus and all the way Mr. Dennis was a good driver. We were at the gate taking care of our tickets, and then we all went inside and walked around and looked at the animals.
The cactus are guarding the birds nest so no predators can come by and harm the hummingbird in his nest
I looked at the flowers and they looked colorful. The fish in the water were swimming all day long.
A Fun Day with my Daughter
By Rania Tutu
On the field trip day I went to Sonora Desert Museum. I liked the place because they have a lot of different kinds of animals. I was so happy when I went there. I saw a lot of animals like snakes, hummingbirds, coyote, and a bobcat.
I was so excited because this was my first time to go there. Thank you for everybody planning for us to go over there and thank you for lunch. I was happy to eat with my friends and teachers. I had a chicken burger with barbecue sauce, lettuce, and French fries.
Sima is my daughter. She is 7 years. She is in 2nd grade. She did not want to go to school. She was happy to go to the Desert Museum. She wants to go back. She liked the teachers. Her favorite time to play was at the pack rat place. She liked the hummingbirds the best. Sima liked the restaurant. She had pepperoni pizza. Sima plays a lot and likes to look at pictures on the phone.
The Animals
By Lilian Mutwota
I like the light brown prairie dogs because they are big. They hide in holes. They came out of their holes, ran around and ate food that was put on the ground.
We went to the fish in the aquarium. We saw them in glass tanks. We saw a lot of fish of different colors: green, silver, golden, and red. We saw an angel fish. People eat fish for lunch and dinner, especially in seafood restaurants.
The gray wolf was big, with brown and black hair, and scary in the face. They have big feet, and they can bite you. The gray wolf was standing outside in an open cage.
The Attempted Field Trip
By Albert Goldtooth
I did try to go up there (to the Sonora Desert Museum), but my car gave me transmission problems so we did not go up there. I see Dennis took some photos that were good to look at. It looked like they had fun that day.
I drew a picture of a gray wolf and javelina. I am sorry I did not go up there. Maybe next time I’ll go with you guys in the van and not take my car.
I know I would have had fun if I were there. I would have eaten some cheese pizza with my friend. I really like to see the animals, cactus, fish, a hummingbird in a nest, deer, and prairie dogs. Thank you, Dennis and Suzanne, for taking those photos for me to look at. I see the deer was lying down on the grass. She had pointed ears with brown and gray colors.
