Each school year kids anxiously wait to hear when and where their field trips will be. Many kids consider field trips fun days outside of the classroom, and they are. Kids learn so much during these days, they just don’t realize it!
Field trips come in many forms and fashions. From trips outside of town to exploring town hall, field trips present a way for teachers to approach knowledge in a completely new environment and for students to have fun while learning.
The boredom of the classroom may lead some kids to lose interest in a particular subject. This is especially true of difficult subjects. New environments can provide challenges that allow for more individual learning, while classroom teaching is often generalized. During field trips, kids have a chance to go the extra step and take in a ton of information. Kids will have the opportunity to put what they are studying in the classroom into effect. They will make the connection between bookwork and how it applies to real life.
While most parents would do their best to introduce kids to the arts and cultural events, the truth is that, many times, lack of time, money or knowledge prevents families from attending such events. Field trips are an excellent way for kids to be introduced to the arts and enjoy activities and sights that they may otherwise not be exposed to.
Things to consider when choosing a field trip destination
Choose a field trip destination of interest to students. Many a field trip has failed because it was dull. If your class is studying the environmental sciences, consider taking a field trip to a state park rather than a science lab. Giving your students an opportunity to actually explore the environment themselves will teach them more than touring a lab in an orderly, straight line.
Monitor student response to tour guide. Does he respond to student questions? Does he seem rushed or uptight? Note how students responded to tour guide. Did they seem interested and engaged or bored and uninterested? Are students asking questions? A great tour guide can make a less than thrilling venue interesting and a lackluster tour guide can make even the most exciting field trip dull.
Think outside the box with field trip ideas. Repeat what works, but don’t be afraid to try new field trip venues. Ask other teachers what trips their students enjoyed and which ones they didn’t.
When you call to book your field trip give the facility/business plenty of notice. Some field trip destinations even offer a discount for booking in advance.
Also, be sure to ask if the facility offers any teacher resources. Many field trip hot spots, like the Clinton Presidential Center, the Little Rock Zoo, and the Heifer Village, offer worksheets and curriculum supplements to engage your students in before you leave the school building.
See the next page for over 65 field trip ideas!