Why Are Field Trips Important to Social Studies?

History must be experienced.

Field trips are vital for students to have a chance to view and explore historical places and different social institutions. Social Studies classes can be interesting without field trips but with the excursions the class can take off to the next level.

Student Learning

Book learning can't compare with experience.

Students typically learn facts and dates from textbooks but can learn on deeper levels and find meaning in field trips out of the classroom.

Class Bonding

Groups bond during trips.

Class presentations and group projects can be inspired through these out-of-class trips. These shared experiences are unique.

Seeing Is Believing

Many students complain of boredom and redundancy during lectures or book readings. Field trips bring a captive audience to various places for students to learn on-site.

The Senses

Social Studies students often are tested and asked to describe "why" certain things existed or happened in the past. Having a personal experience in a famous or important setting can go a long way to answering this question.

The Future

Many field trips spark student interest in career fields or other interesting paths.

References

• Social Studies for Kids Website