There's a field trip coming up. On the first day of school students ask, "When are we going on a field trip?" It's a treat; a day away from the typical routine. It's also a lot more responsibility for the teacher. When there's a field trip, there's no lunch break or planning period or a quiet moment to gather your thoughts. Instead, it's go, go, go!
I have a great team. We all think differently, and bring a diversity of ideas to our planning meetings. That results in optimal planning. So we're ready for this field trip. We collected the money, wrote and received signed permission slips (even translated a few), sent out reminders, ordered the busses, reserved the field trip venue, enlisted the help of chaperones, created chaperone lists and reminders, made a schedule and taught the units that match the trip. Soon we'll be off.
We'll gather the children, answer questions, and remind them about behavior and safety rules. We'll pick up the health kits, board the fancy busses we reserved, watch an entertaining, curriculum related film on the way, and then attend the program. We've invited any and all family members to join us as long as they pay the fee and provide their own transportation. After the event, we'll have a picnic (weather permitting) at a local park to celebrate the end of the year. Then we'll board the busses, watch the end of the first movie or a new film, and return to school.
I'll wake up early tomorrow and prep the necessary items for the trip. Most of all, I'll remind myself that this is chance to relax and enjoy my students before the year's end.
Does your school provide field studies for students? How often? Where do you go? How do you integrate your field studies with the work you do in the classroom? Field studies are an important part of the curriculum process; one, like other important components, that requires yearly revision and review.
