Field Trip
I went on my very first field trip with my students just last week. It was positive as it broke the monotony of the classroom setting and also brought back some passion. It almost reset them and refocused on the main reason they are in school.
Hi Christian:
Field trips are unique and essentially impossible to duplicate in the classroom. Opening students eyes to the possibilities and opportunities thay may participate in can be such a great motivator. Inspiraed student will try harder and want to realize the vision created by the field trip experience.
Regards, Barry
I agree that field trips are a great way to bring the curriculum to life. My evening English Comp students have always told me that our field trip to a local weekly poetry slam is one of their favorite activities at our school. It's such a great way to bring what we do in the classroom out into the community and vice versa!
Hi Dale:
Another strategy would be for the students, as a group, to petition the school administration.
Garnering the support and value, and conveying the benefits of an extracurricular activity is usually well received if the imposed instructor knows the purpose and appreciates the benefits the students are likely to receive.
Regards, Barry
Hi Scott:
Interesting thought....
Field trips invariably require using another instructor's class time. Thankfully, my school encourages field trips, and other instructors - even those from different disciplines - usually "buy in" if given an explanation of the value the trip has for the students. Perhaps you should begin a campaign to convince your managers of the value of occasional field trips, then follow up with other instructors. Maybe you'll create a groundswell. Maybe not.
Hi Sarah:
I understyand many classes don't allow for field trips. But here's an idea for guest speaker that most any teacher could use.
If you can arrange to have a recent graduate who is experiencing success in the profession, see if they would be willing to come and speak to the class.
The benefits are a very enthusiastic presenter that demonstrates pride, competence, excitement, encouragement, and hope for some students who may be struggling. That's quite a motivating force residing within the graduate guest speaker.
Regards, Barry
Is it possible Sarah, with the course schedule being so tightly controlled, that maybe the fieldtrip can come to you? Just saying......
I would really love to take students on the occasional field trip, but with the tight time frames and course schedules we need to keep it is nearly impossible. The best we can do is create in-class scenarios that relate to the outside world. The students have a lot of fun and it gives them at least a glimpes of the possible future.
Hi Mary Jo:
I believe field trips open the eyes of many students who may only have vague ideas of what career or work setting they're being trained for. Once the get an inspired vision, that'shard to break, and ususally, you'll see studenyts begin to work harder to do the best they can in school.
Regards, Barry
