• Subscribe
    • Franklin Living Magazine
    • Services
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Classifieds
    • E-editions
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices
    • Subscribe
    • Franklin Living Magazine
    • Services
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
    • Classifieds
    • E-editions
    • Public Notices
      • Public Notices
      • Alabama Public Notices

May 27, 2025

Franklin County Times
  • Home
  • News
  • Sports
  • Opinion
  • Lifestyles
  • Obituaries
  • Records
  • Subscribe
  • Services
  • About Us
  • Subscribe
  • Policies
  • Terms of use
  • Submit a news tip
  • Submit a photo
  • Birth Announcement
  • Birthday announcement
  • Engagement announcement
  • Wedding announcement
  • Submit a Classified Ad
  • Letters to the Editor
  • Classifieds
  • Public Notices
    Franklin County Times
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
        • Russellville
        • Red Bay
        • Phil Campbell
        • Franklin County
        • Photo Galleries
        • Sponsored Content
      • Sports
        • Belgreen Bulldogs
        • Phil Campbell Bobcats
        • Red Bay Tigers
        • Russellville Golden Tigers
        • Tharptown Wildcats
        • Vina Red Devils
        • College Sports
        • Sports Columnists
      • Opinion
        • Letters to the Editor
        • Columnists
        • Editorials
      • Lifestyles
        • Birthdays
        • Births
        • Couples
        • Food
        • Features
      • Obituaries
      • Records
        • Sheriff’s Report
        • Marriages
        • Land Transactions
        • Police Reports
      • Special Sections
      • Site logo
      • Home
      • News
        • Russellville
        • Red Bay
        • Phil Campbell
        • Franklin County
        • Photo Galleries
        • Sponsored Content
      • Sports
        • Belgreen Bulldogs
        • Phil Campbell Bobcats
        • Red Bay Tigers
        • Russellville Golden Tigers
        • Tharptown Wildcats
        • Vina Red Devils
        • College Sports
        • Sports Columnists
      • Opinion
        • Letters to the Editor
        • Columnists
        • Editorials
      • Lifestyles
        • Birthdays
        • Births
        • Couples
        • Food
        • Features
      • Obituaries
      • Records
        • Sheriff’s Report
        • Marriages
        • Land Transactions
        • Police Reports
      • Special Sections
    Franklin County, News, Phil Campbell, RSS Facebook, RSS General, RSS Twitter, Z - News Main
     By  Kellie Singleton Published 
    4:39 pm Tuesday, October 21, 2014

    Students travel to ‘Europe’

    PCES fifth grade students Gianna Douglas, Makenzie Coffman, Christie Hughes and Jaden Bates look at the giant map of Europe in the PCES gym. Photo by Kellie Singleton.

    PCES fifth grade students Gianna Douglas, Makenzie Coffman, Christie Hughes and Jaden Bates look at the giant map of Europe in the PCES gym. Photo by Kellie Singleton.

    PHIL CAMPBELL – Students at Phil Campbell Elementary School took a trip to Europe recently, but thanks to several volunteers and organizations, they didn’t even have to leave their school campus to get there.

    The students’ trip to Europe was made possible through a giant traveling map, which is a large floor map that measures 26 feet by 36 feet when spread out on the floor of the PCES gymnasium.

    Linda Spurgeon, who teaches geography to students at Phil Campbell High School, was responsible for finding out about the giant map program two years ago while she was attending an Alabama Geographic Alliance conference.

    Spurgeon was able to secure a map of Asia for Phil Campbell schools two years ago, and she helped bring a giant map of Africa to the school last year.

    Since it was such a hit with the students, she said she was glad to help continue the program.

    “The kids all really love the giant maps,” she said.

    “It’s a fun thing for them, but they are also learning a lot, too. You can just tell that it’s something they enjoy by the way they interact and get excited.”

    Spurgeon said the giant map was made possible through funding from the Alabama Geographic Alliance, the National Geographic Education Foundation and donations from supporters, so it doesn’t cost the school anything to house it for two days.

    “This has been a really great thing for our students,” PCES principal Jackie Ergle said.

    “These maps allow them to get hands-on experience with the world around them, and they are able to learn about different cultures, languages, and different animals that live in these places.”

    Ergle said she appreciated Spurgeon and the volunteers from the elementary school’s PTO organization who came in to conduct the learning sessions with the map.

    “Ms. Spurgeon has done a great job with this project the past few years, and it’s something our students look forward to,” Ergle said.

    “I appreciate so much her being willing to do this for our students and the parents who have volunteered their time to help the students with the activities and lessons that go along with the map.”

    Chasity Jackson, who serves as PTO president, said she was proud to work on a project that got the students excited about learning.

    “You could see the excitement on their faces as they learned new things,” Jackson said.

    “It’s neat for them to be able to learn about other places and not just the place they live in. It’s also great for them to interact and do more than just read about these places from a text book.”

    Spurgeon said each giant map comes with lesson plans, activities, and other information that can be used to make the map a fun and interactive experience.

    “With the younger grades, we’ve mainly just stuck with the map ‘tour’ that walks them through several of the countries in Europe and gives them facts about the countries,” she said.

    “With the older grades, we used some of the activities and games. That’s the great thing about this map is that it is adaptable.”

    Spurgeon said she also had several high school JAG students who came to help with the map.

    “It’s been a great experience for everyone, and I appreciate all the people who took the time to help with it,” she said.

    Spurgeon said anytime they have the opportunity to participate in a program that gets the students excited about learning, they’ll always jump at the chance.

    “We are very appreciative to have the map travel to our school and help our students learn more about the world,” Spurgeon said.

    “If this experience can get them interested in geography and the world around them, then it’s done its job.”

    Also on Franklin County Times
    VFW Post 5184 Memorial Weekend
    News
    VFW Post 5184 Memorial Weekend
    Griffin Traylor 
    May 21, 2025
    VFW Post #5184 will place 2,000 American flags on veterans graves throughout Franklin County Saturday, May 24 – Monday, 26. 
    GFWC Book Lovers Study Club receives awards
    Opinion
    HERE AND NOW
    GFWC Book Lovers Study Club receives awards
    May 21, 2025
    The GFWC Alabama Federation of Women’s Clubs held its 130th annual state convention at the Montgomery Marriott Prattville Hotel and Conference Center ...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    RMS students display skills at STEAM Expo
    Lifestyles
    RMS students display skills at STEAM Expo
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    May 21, 2025
    RUSSELLVILLE – The addition of an art category broadened participation in the middle school’s annual science fair. Now in its third year, the Science,...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Nonprofit believes canines should get a second chance
    Main, Z - News Main
    Nonprofit believes canines should get a second chance
    María Camp maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    May 21, 2025
    RUSSELLVILLE A grassroots effort to address canine welfare in Franklin County has grown into an organized nonprofit focused on education, fostering an...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Poison hemlock: Toxic plant becoming more widespread
    Main, Z - News Main
    Poison hemlock: Toxic plant becoming more widespread
    maria.camp@franklincountytimes.com 
    May 21, 2025
    SPRUCE PINE – Franklin County residents are urged to be on guard against a highly toxic plant that is becoming more prevalent. Joel Pounders, a natura...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    ‘Powering Growth’: Economic strength begins with energy
    Opinion
    ‘Powering Growth’: Economic strength begins with energy
    May 21, 2025
    America’s economic future hinges on energy — its reliability, affordability, and availability. Nowhere is that future being written more decisively th...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Belgreen hopes state playoff run ‘builds confidence’ for future
    Sports
    Belgreen hopes state playoff run ‘builds confidence’ for future
    By David Glovach For the FCT 
    May 21, 2025
    OXFORD — The tears started when Belgreen gathered for the handshake line. They continued when the Bulldogs gathered their things and exited the dugout...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    Bulldogs’ inspired run comes to end against Pisgah
    Sports
    Bulldogs’ inspired run comes to end against Pisgah
    Bart Moss For the FCT 
    May 21, 2025
    The Belgreen Bulldogs’ inspired run through the Class 2A state softball tournament came to an end in the Final Four last week, marking the culmination...
    {"epopulate_editorials_prism":"epopulate_editorials_prism"}
    ❮❯

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Latest Local News
    VFW Post 5184 Memorial Weekend
    VFW Post 5184 Memorial Weekend
    May 21, 2025
    Franklin jobless rate falls to 2.4%
    May 21, 2025
    Ex-director of music hall must pay back $64,719
    Ex-director of music hall must pay back $64,719
    May 21, 2025
    Red Bay opts not to take over cemetery
    Red Bay opts not to take over cemetery
    May 14, 2025
    Morgan wins cybersecurity award
    Morgan wins cybersecurity award
    May 14, 2025

    More Local News

    Latest Stories
    Birthdays
    May 21, 2025
    Franklin jobless rate falls to 2.4%
    May 21, 2025
    Land Transactions
    May 21, 2025
    Workforce diploma option is a change that’s long overdue
    May 21, 2025
    Obituaries
    May 21, 2025
    Latest Sports
    Belgreen hopes state playoff run ‘builds confidence’ for future
    Belgreen hopes state playoff run ‘builds confidence’ for future
    May 21, 2025
    Bulldogs’ inspired run comes to end against Pisgah
    Bulldogs’ inspired run comes to end against Pisgah
    May 21, 2025
    RHS rocketry team places seventh in nation
    RHS rocketry team places seventh in nation
    May 21, 2025
    RHS tennis player selected for All Star match
    RHS tennis player selected for All Star match
    May 21, 2025
    2 Belgreen Anglers are state champions
    2 Belgreen Anglers are state champions
    May 14, 2025

    More Sports Stories

    x

    Sections

    • Home
    • News
    • Sports
    • Opinion
    • Lifestyles
    • Obits
    • Special Sections
    • Sponsored Content
      • Home
      • News
      • Sports
      • Opinion
      • Lifestyles
      • Obits
      • Special Sections
      • Sponsored Content

    Services

    • About Us
    • Subscribe
    • Advertise With Us
    • Policies
    • Terms of use
    • Submit a news tip
    • Submit a photo
    • Birth announcement
    • Birthday announcement
    • Engagement announcement
    • Wedding announcement
    • Submit a Classified Ad
    • Letter to the Editor
    • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter
      • About Us
      • Subscribe
      • Advertise With Us
      • Policies
      • Terms of use
      • Submit a news tip
      • Submit a photo
      • Birth announcement
      • Birthday announcement
      • Engagement announcement
      • Wedding announcement
      • Submit a Classified Ad
      • Letter to the Editor
      • Sign Up For Our Free Newsletter

    Follow Us

    Copyright

    © 2025, Franklin County Times