Teacher Field Trip Ideas

Nothing gets students more excited than a field trip. There are many potential ideas for field trips. Which you choose largely depends on the type of class you teach and the age of the students who will be going on the trip. Whatever the budget for your field trip, having a fun and educational experience can be the highlight of the school year if you, as the teacher, do a good job of matching what you're trying to teach your class with the location of your field trip. Here are a few ideas you can consider.

Understanding

If you teach English or even history, think about taking your class to see one of the plays of William Shakespeare. For example, if your class is studying Richard III and those boisterous Plantagenets, seeing a play about this period in England might grab your student's attention in a way that a lecture or dry textbook might not. And if you are an English teacher, you will find that your students will far more quickly grasp the meaning of the more obscure references in Shakespeare's works when they see the words matching the actions on stage. This can be a t-shirt and jeans event or a posh evening out. After all, what better way to show the genius of Shakespeare than the chance to experience a production.

Appreciation

If you're teaching an astronomy or general science class, a visit to a planetarium or space museum can really bring home the wonders of the galaxy. But if you are on a budget, simply taking your students on a field trip to the school's backyard can offer an exceptional learning experience that they won't soon forget. All you need are a few picnic blankets to carry out some amazing star watching. Students can find Betelgeuse or Cassiopeia or locate Orion's Belt and have a lot of fun while searching the night sky with classmates. Don't forget to check an astronomical reference like Jack Horkheimer's Stargazer, and try to select a night that's clear and a location far enough away from city lights to enjoy a real galactic show.

Interaction

Regardless what type of class you're teaching, allowing students a chance to interact with professionals in that field or with exhibits is an effective way to reach the students. It will get them asking questions and interested in a subject. For example, if you take your class to see the New York Philharmonic, consider checking to see if your students can talk personally with members of the orchestra before or after the performance. One or more might consider speaking to your students about their experiences as they pursued their career choice, explaining what it is like being a member of this ensemble.

References

• Field Trip Ideas

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