The second-graders who stole the hearts of the Auburn Family will now have a chance to see the Plains they know so much about.
Quinlan Matthew's and Vanesa Goodar's classes will fly from Chicago to spend a few days on campus in September and have their first taste of college.
Marcia Boosinger, librarian and associate dean of libraries, said Ralph Brown Draughon Library will serve as the location for the academic part of the visit.
She said the children will have a lesson on the children's book, "The Spirit of Toomer's Corner." Boosinger said the book emphasizes values such as positive thinking.
After a picnic lunch from Moe's, each child will receive a copy of the book, presented by Auburn Libraries.
Boosinger said the lesson will be taught by college students.
"It's important for them to see college students," Boosinger said.
The College of Education will put on programs for them and Vicky Cardullo, assistant professor in the department of curriculum and teaching in the College of Education helped put together a lesson plan for the children. She was helped by three interns in the College of Education; Brianna Niven, senior in elementary education; Kenslei Senn, senior in elementary education; and Callie Barganier, senior in elementary education.
Cardullo said the team wanted to integrate technology, language arts and Auburn culture into one lesson.
"The lesson that came out of it derived from the academic needs of the school," Cardullo said.
Cardullo said the lesson is about the importance of positive communication.
"In the book, it talks about how the tree was destroyed because of a lack of positive communication," Cardullo said. "And so we kind of turned that around, so that way students would develop key words, basically, for communication."
Cardullo said the children would divide up into three small groups to read the book. Then they will use iPads to draw their own Toomer's Oak with positive words on it. They will then come back and choose the words to put onto their class tree. Lastly, they will "roll" their tree with the positive words.
"One of the reasons we chose to have small groups is that way, they will all be involved in it," Cardullo said. "In a large group, we were worried that all students would not have that active engagement, because it's such a short period of time. And so by dividing into three small groups, we're hoping that each group would have active, hands-on involvement, because it is critical."
Cardullo said she hopes the children bring the lessons back to their classrooms and develop an interest in technology.
Cardullo said her favorite part is how the lesson ties in with Auburn culture.
"That was really the whole impact of their production was the culture of Auburn, and so making that connection for them and allowing to see that, I think my favorite part is that they'll actually walk out, see the trees, see Toomer's Corner and enjoy and make those connections as to, 'Oh, we just did this lesson, we just talked about this tree,'" Cardullo said.
Jay Jacobs, athletics director, said the students will learn about more than just reading. He said everything, from flying on the plane to staying at the Auburn Hotel and Dixon Conference Center, will be a fun learning experience.
"Every component of it is educational," Jacobs said.
Jacobs said the students will have a tour of the athletics facilities on Sept. 10, as well as a tour of the fisheries facilities and RBD Library. They will also go to Toomer's Corner before attending the Jacksonville State football game Sept. 12.
Jacobs said he believes the children deserve "every bit" of the treatment they will receive in Auburn.
"We want people to know there are fruits for your labor," Jacobs said.
Jacobs was one of a delegation that surprised the students in Chicago in July.
"It was one of the most emotional and inspirational things I have ever done," Jacobs said. "These scholars have a passion for learning."
He said the students will meet many people, from coaches to teachers to student athletes.
"People from all walks of life can go to college if they want to," Jacobs said.
Boosinger said the library will buy more books for the students, as well as their school library, and she said she hopes this inspires the children to attend college.
"[I hope] they see this as a goal that they would want to set," Boosinger said.
Jacobs said he hopes some of the students attend Auburn one day, but regardless, he hopes to inspire the children.
"The more important thing is . . . regardless of what they do, we want to inspire them to be great," Jacobs said.
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