Cave Raves

This was the big week!  Hoggatt Cave experienced its full Grand Opening, receiving guests from eight other classrooms, as well as our administrators.  In fact, Dr. Moss, the superintendent of schools, stopped by for a special tour of the cave.  As quickly as the left, we received our first reviews.  Among them:

It was great!  I loved how all of you guys knew your parts...Your touring was awesome!  ...That was one of the best classroom presentations I have ever been too [sic].  I was SHOCKED!

What I really liked about your cave was the glowing column.  I also liked the fossils too.  My favorite thing about your cave was the cave paintings on the wall.  I really enjoyed that you guys put that much time and effort into the cave.

It was very delightful and I hope other classes
​get to enjoy the experience also.

I had so much fun, but at the same time I was learning about caves...It was a great learning experience.

I liked how we crawled in the little cave place.

Your Hoggatt cave was brillient [sic]!

My favorite part about it was when we learned about the sizes that a bat can get...I think you did a super job!

It was so amazing.  My favorite was when the bat peed on me.

I did not know how many animals and mammals there were in a cave.

As much as the reviews from peers meant to the class, the anticipation of Dr. Moss's visit was a rich experience. I'm sure the tour guides were nervous between the time they heard she was coming and the end of her tour.  She had some very kind compliments throughout the tour and afterward told the principal how wonderful the kids were. She specifically recognized their memorization and delivery, and at the end she commented about the students who looked into her eyes and shook her hand.

Even so, some relatives were brought in after school for private tours.  Students picked up the script and gave the entire tour themselves by flashlight.  Parents and others got a taste for the excitement of Hoggatt Cave, and students were very proud of what they presented.