Worksheets Don't Grow Dendrites: Chapter 3 Field Trips

Literacy Without Worksheets Saturday, March 07, 2015 8 comments
I love field trips.  Some of my favorite childhood memories are from field trips.  The highlight was when I was in 5th grade, I went on the train to Washington DC and spent five days at our nation's capital.  So far, this has been my favorite chapter of the book study!


In my district, for years and years, each grade level had specific field trips they took.  In the past few years, field trips have been cut from the district budget.  Our PTO has stepped up, and now funds field trips.  Each grade level makes their request.  In my teaching career, these are the field trips I have attended:
-state capital
-zoo (multiple times)
-restaurants
-movie theater
-one room school house
-farm
-pumpkin patch
- University art lab

Here are some of my take aways from Chapter 3.


Here are links to a few virtual field trips, depending on what you are studying!

The San Diego Zoo Virtual Field Trip has animal cams and even includes lessons hosted by zookeepers!


Colonial Williamsburg has a varitety of virtual field trips for students including topics on the economy during the 1700s, the Revolutionary War, and jobs during the 1700s.


The Smithsonian Museum of Natural History allows students to visit the entire museum!



8 comments

  1. HollyMarch 7, 2015 at 9:21 AM

    Thanks for the links to the virtual field trips - I have never taken one, but feel inspired to do at least one this school year - with my students. I've always "complained" that we can only take one field trip a year - and this is a way to combat that!

    Holly
    Crisscross Applesauce in First Grade

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    1. Literacy Without WorksheetsMarch 7, 2015 at 2:08 PM

      Art museums are another fun place to "virtually" visit- especially if you are doing an art project based on an artist :)

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  2. JD's FirstiesMarch 7, 2015 at 9:51 AM

    Hi Bridget, I am in the same boat... I think I need to plan better to find ways to include these virtual field trips into my units of study. There are some great resources out there sometimes the real challenge is fitting them into the weekly plans. I never realized there were so many options... I can't wait to give them a try!

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    1. Literacy Without WorksheetsMarch 7, 2015 at 2:09 PM

      I need to be more intentional, because sometimes when the week is done, I think..."I should have..." I totally agree on it being challenging to fit everything into a week's lesson plan!

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  3. Recipe for TeachingMarch 7, 2015 at 10:14 AM

    Thanks so much for sharing the virtual field trip links!! I definitely would like to work on using more virtual field trips with my students. Such a great way to bring the learning to them without actually having to go somewhere. Have a great rest of the weekend!!

    recipeforteaching

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    1. Literacy Without WorksheetsMarch 7, 2015 at 2:09 PM

      You are very welcome!! :) I hope you enjoy your weekend, too!

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  4. CourtneyMarch 7, 2015 at 2:53 PM

    WOW! This is awesome. Thank you for sharing! I can't wait to share this with my team!
    Courtney
    Ramona Recommends

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  5. Linda Nelson @ Primary InspirationMarch 7, 2015 at 4:25 PM

    I agree that virtual field trips can be awesome, and bring learning to life! Animal cams, like the one you mentioned at the San Diego Zoo, are super for close-ups. I often used the ones from the beautiful Monterey Bay Aquarium in California. When my husband and I visited there a few years ago, I felt like an insider VIP - "those are MY penguins!!!" I think that kids get that special feeling from virtual trips, too. Thanks for sharing the links!
    Linda
    Primary Inspiration

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