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A Fieldtrip I Will NEVER Forget!

By Alicia Tipton

Hello, my name is Taylor Thompson. I live in Texas and am ten years old. Today I do not have to go to school, YEAH, but my mom and dad have other plans for me. They told me that I am going on an educational field trip, but it would be like a parade. Parades!! I loved parades with all the floats, music, and candy! As we drove to Dallas, Texas to see the parade I kept asking what is so important about this parade, what am I going to see, and how long is it going to last? My father just looked at me and said, soon you will see a very important person that you have studied about in your history class. After finally arriving we moved through the gigantic crowds and took a rest on the grassy knoll in Dealey Plaza. I sat patiently and waited for the parade to begin, but soon became bored. Luckily, my mom had brought some snacks. As I ate my apple, I heard some other people talking about something called JFK. What was that? I had been to a lot of parades, but none of them ever had a JFK in them. I was just getting ready to ask Dad what a JFK was, when he picked me up and threw me on his shoulders while pointing towards a black limousine coming down the street. "That is the President of the United States, Taylor!" I was so shocked that I was getting to see the President that my eyes were popping out of my head. "You mean the guy who lives in the big White House in Washington D.C.?!" Dad’s head nodded. I began to wave frantically at the car, and then just as it was passing between the Texas School Book Depository building and where we were standing, we heard….BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! My heart began to beat fast and I grabbed onto Dad’s neck. Dad immediately pulled me from his shoulders and wrapped his strong arms around me, while Mom held tight to Dad. Dad hugged me tightly and I buried my face in his chest. I heard the rest of the crowd screaming and heard people running in all directions. As I peeked over my dad’s arm I could see the limousine. Men ran to the car as it slowed down, and a few seconds later the car was speeding down the street! I sat in the arms of my mom and dad for what seemed like a day of school!! The crowds were restless, they were yelling, asking questions, running everywhere, and millions of police officers were trying to secure the area. I was so confused about what I had just seen, and it seemed everyone else was too. I decided that next time I was offered a field trip, I would rather go to school all day long!

We finally arrived home, with no answers to my questions. All these questions were running through my head: What had happened? What was that loud noise? Was the President all right? Why did the car race down the street? Dad was not able to answer any of my questions, and said I must be patient. Mom and Dad explained to me that the television would soon provide the answers. We all glued our eyes to the television. A man finally came on the television and stated that today, November 22,1963, during President John F. Kennedy’s visit to Dallas, Texas he was assassinated in the President’s motorcade after it had passed the Texas School Book Depository.

"What is the matter Dad?" I asked confused.

"Do you know what that newsman just said?" he asked with seriousness in his eyes.

"Yes, I said. He just told the American people that the President was assa-sssi-nnat-ted, or however you say it!"

"Taylor, assassinated means that someone killed the President!"

"Oh, NO DADDY! Who would do that? Why would they kill the President or anyone? I HATE THEM! I HATE THEM!" I screamed with anger and confusion raging within me.

My dad in his calm, gentle voice began his explanation as Mom held me and comforted my tears. "Taylor, in this world there are people that do not respect the gift of life and take it from others. But Taylor, we know that when people make bad decisions in their life there is someone who loves them unconditionally, despite the choices they make."

"I know Daddy, I do not hate them. I am just sad and mad that President Kennedy had to die today!"

My dad and mom held me tight in a group hug as I realized there is no longer anything perfect in this world!

Comprehension Questions:

  1. Where did the Thompson family drive to, in order to see the parade?
  2. What did the initials JFK stand for?
  3. What is the term used to describe the murder of a President?
  4. Compare what Taylor saw on the streets of Dallas to a parade you have been to recently. Note the similarities and differences.
  5. Describe how you would feel if you had witnessed this event with Taylor.

Answers to the Comprehension Questions:

  1. The Thompson family drove to Dallas, Texas to see the parade.
  2. The initials JFK stand for John F. Kennedy.
  3. The term used to describe the murder of a President is assassinated.
  4. Answers will vary.
  5. Answers will vary.

Optional Props:

  • Toy Gun (something that will make a loud pop)
  • An American flag
  • A picture of the Texas School Book Depository, the grassy knoll, Dealey Plaza, the President’s motorcade, and President Kennedy (Or possibly have stations around the room that represent various locations mentioned above)

Outline:

  1. Taylor
    1. Her background (Age, Why she would not be attending school)
    2. Activities for the day (Parents compared to parade, the drive to Dallas)
  2. Parade
    1. Explain where the family positioned themselves
    2. Taylor became bored
    3. Listening to the crowd talk about JFK (Explain Taylor’s thoughts and questions.)
  3. Seeing the President
    1. Dad lifts Taylor up
    2. Realizes she is going to see President (Express the overwhelming excitement.)
    3. Waves frantically
  4. Shooting
    1. Hears the noise as motorcade is nearing grassy knoll (Express Taylor’s fear, yet safety in Dad’s arms.)
    2. Dad protects Taylor and Mom.
    3. Taylor peeks over Dad’s arm to view the events occurring in the street.
  5. What Taylor sees in the Street?
    1. Men around the car
    2. Car speeding down the street
    3. Chaos in the street (people and police)
  6. Arriving Home
    1. Taylor is extremely confused.
    2. The family watches the television for answers to her questions.
    3. News informs America President Kennedy has been assassinated.
    4. Explain what assassinated means.
    5. Taylor becomes mad and upset.
    6. Dad explains why people kill others and provides hope to his daughter.
    7. Taylor learns a lesson about the world and how there is no longer anything perfect in the world.

Sources:

  • Interviews of individuals that shared their memories of November 22, 1963