Field Trip Time

By. Teresa Marchant

I love field trips! As an elementary student, there was nothing better than knowing you were going on a field trip. The sheer excitement of taking that permission slip home and the proud moment when you brought it back signed. Spring field trips were the best! I can still picture myself in my shorts and tennis shoes holding my brown paper lunch sack.  I remember the smell of sunscreen, the yellow school bus, and swinging my legs because my feet didn’t hit the floor.  As a child, I wasn’t exactly sure where we were going but it was a thrill to be on a bus with my “bus buddy” and knowing today was going to be the best day ever! 

I’m pretty sure we learned something cool, but I couldn’t wait until lunch time because my mom packed a special lunch and I even had a soda! I never got to bring a soda to school, because it wasn’t allowed.  But on field trips we were allowed soda and it was wrapped in tin foil. (I guess back in the 80’s this was the best way to keep it cool because everyone in my class did it!)!  Then the anticipated ride back to school and singing 99 bottles of pop on the wall, but fell asleep due to exhaustion because I couldn’t sleep the night before. I was content and couldn’t wait until the next field trip. So how do we bring back the excitement of field trips when there are funding and supervision issues coupled with the pressure of teaching the standards?

Consider trying these ideas:

Virtual Trips

Field days or outside activities on your school grounds.

Walking to local businesses.

Enlist the help of parents.

What can students learn from a field trip?

Content area depending on the type of trip.

Social skills- Students will use their ELA standards by working together toward a common goal.

Geography- students can map their trip and learn more in the content area.

Writing- students can write thank you letters and increase their writing skills.

Getting administration to support your proposal is often challenging, but if you can demonstrate that educational standards are being addressed, you will have a better chance of getting approved. Good luck and don’t forget to wear your sunscreen!