How to Pull Off an Inspiring and Educational Field Trip
Whether you’re in charge of a large group of students or just need something to do with your kids over summer break, a field trip is a great way to connect education with the real world. These tips will help you pull off a fun and problem-free field trip.
Choose a Great Location
The right field trip location depends on the age of your students, the location’s relevance to their studies, and the activities that will be available when they get there.
Consider the material that your students are reading in their textbooks. Historical field trips are a good way to help students connect with their readings; if a relevant event took place in your area, bring them to the actual location. Try visiting art museums for budding painters, and take exploration enthusiasts to the local zoo.
Older kids do fine with museums, but younger children need shows and activities to keep their attention. You can always call the museum to find out what activities might interest your students.
Make the Car Ride Comfortable
Many field trip locations are several hours away from your home or school. You want everyone to feel fresh and excited when you arrive at the location, so make the car ride as comfortable as possible.
Make sure everyone has enough room in their seats. If you are traveling in multiple cars, split up groups so that no one is cramped.
Clean the cars out before the journey. You can purchase bulk car air fresheners to provide a pleasant smell. Little details will create a subtle CONTINUE READING: How to Pull Off an Inspiring and Educational Field Trip - Teacher Habits
How to Ensure Students Have Reader-friendly Homes
Guest Writer: Tiffani Wroe
Teachers are tasked with students’ education — but education happens outside the classroom, too. In fact, when it comes to reading, studies show that children who practice their skills at home with parents become better readers faster than their peers who lack reader-friendly homes.
While teachers hardly have any control over what happens at home, they can influence kids and parents to participate in reading outside of school hours. Even more, they can equip parents with the right tools and techniques for improving reading skill. Here’s how.
Identify Non-reading Homes
Because the goal is to get children reading at home with their parents, students who already demonstrate a healthy and happy home reading life are not the priority in this instance. Instead, teachers need to work to identify homes that don’t promote reading — and fortunately, this isn’t as difficult as it might seem.
Toward the beginning of the school year, teachers should talk with their classrooms about their reading habits. With older students, teachers might employ a “get to know you” written questionnaire, but younger students should be surveyed verbally. Teachers should ask CONTINUE READING: How to Ensure Students Have Reader-friendly Homes