Field Trip Helps

Table of Contents

Field Trip Helps and Forms

My experience with field trips of any kind, is that ALL of us gain so much more from the experience if we are prepared. Of course that means (for me) the logistical things like having snacks and drinks along, getting directions, etc. - but even more importantly, I need to prepare my children for the experience they are about to have. For example, I need to either teach them about whatever we are going to see in advance, or I need to have specific objectives for the trip to accomplish while we're there. Of course, there is always something valid about just going along for the ride and relaxing - but I know from experience that the learning that takes place during the field trip is SIGNIFICANTLY increased if we have prepared ahead of time.

Museums and Historic Sites
For example, before we went to the Civil Rights Museum in Memphis, TN, we did a unit study on the Civil Rights Movement. I must say - I had been to the Civil Rights Museum prior to that field trip, and I thought it was one of the most boring museums EVER!! There was TONS of reading to do and virtually NO interactive activities for children. Plus, some of the content was not only "over the heads" of my younger students, but also not necessarily something I was keen on them seeing at that point. So, I figured, now that they were older, if we weren't all going to be bored out of our minds, I'd better prepare. We used the unit study available right here at SDGR (:-) ) for our preparation and the kids were fascinated. When we got to the museum, the kids started to instantly "connect" with some of the display, recognizing people and events that we had been reading about or watching videos about for the 2 weeks prior. I was amazed that even my 10 year old was engaging with what I thought were relatively boring displays, and enjoying the additional information to the knowledge bank she had already started to create. It was extremely rewarding.

We also did this when we took a family vacation out east, visiting Plimoth Plantation in Massachusetts, Gettysburg, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. We did a unit study on Colonial America (which you can buy on this website!) and then took the trip. Though they were still pretty young, my kids have not forgotten a single detail of that trip, or that study, and when asked what their favorite subject is that we've studied so far - they unanimously agree on Colonial America.

If you were going to visit a Civil War battle site, or watch a re-enactment, it would be much more rewarding and memorable to have first studied about the Civil War, or at least read a living book that references that particular battle or site.

Zoo
Another time, we were going to go to the zoo for the day. Most of my kids were nearing that age when zoos were beginning to be "passe" and somewhat childlike. So, I upped the ante on them! I went on our zoo's website and found Scavenger Hunts specific to our zoos habitats and animals. I printed them out, took along clipboards and pencils, and made my kids a deal - "Anyone who completes their Scavenger Hunts without whining or complaining, and can tell me something new they learned on this trip, gets a treat from Starbucks on the way home!" It worked! We had a great time, and learned much more on our zoo trip than we ever would have by just walking around.

If you're trying to combine a study of geography and science, print out a blank world map before you leave for the zoo. Give each child a blank map on a clipboard and a pencil. Take along some colored pencils in your bag. Have each child find an animal from each continent as you go through the zoo, and sketch it onto the appropriate continent on their map. Even my 5 year old did this - though I will admit that I had to label his animals immediately so we would have any idea what they were! :-)

For younger students, or those who are learning their alphabet, print out this sheet to find animals in the zoo that start with each letter of the alphabet.
Zoo Alphabet