View Route 66 Car Show Photo Album Here
Last Friday, Westwind Elementary shifted learning into high gear with a Route 66 Car Show. As part of a year-long hallway-themed teaching initiative, first-grade students became tour guides through time, showcasing classic cars and teaching the entire school about the evolution of transportation.
The event was more than just a fun detour from the usual Friday routine; it was an immersive learning experience.
“We as a team embraced our Cars-themed hallway to teach students about Route 66 and the different cars and styles that have changed over the years,” said Candace Hill, first grade teacher. “We tied it into our Social Studies lessons on how technology has changed over time.”
Students across grade levels explored the famous 2,448-mile route stretching from Chicago to Los Angeles and learned how transportation played a vital role in connecting communities. The car show gave them a front-row seat to history, right in their school parking lot.
Hill shared that students even had the opportunity to hear stories directly from the car owners, including two former Frenship graduates who brought their vehicles to the show.
“The car owners expressed to students how they bought and rebuilt the cars,” said Hill. “It’s a great example of hard work and community involvement and how those things can lead to exciting new adventures.”
Each Friday, students from a different grade level lead themed learning activities for the school based on their decorated hallway. First grade’s Route 66 lesson was unforgettable, with several students saying, “This is the best day of my life!”.
In the rearview mirror, the Route 66 Car Show stands as an example of how creativity, collaboration, and a little community help can fuel lifelong learning.