Field trips are a fun part of any school experience. They are just as fun for mom and dad as the kids but you want to make sure your kids are actually learning from these trips. So, how do yo make the most of field trip days? Here are a few steps on How to Make the Most of Field Trip Days for your children.
How to Make the Most of Field Trip Days
Focus the lessons before in the trip
The days leading up to the field trip, move the focus of your lessons to what your trip will be about. Heading to a museum? See what exhibits they have there and do some history on the exhibits and dig deeper into that subject. If you are heading to something like Philadelphia you can focus on the Revolutionary War, the Declaration of Independence, the history of our flag and Betty Ross and even our money because you can visit the mint. This will give them a broader view on the subject than just a field trip.
Set a trip for the end of a unit
Set field trips for the end of a unit and plan that way. Suggestions are if you are learning about colonial times finish your unit then take a trip to Colonial Williamsburg and experience those colonial times hands on. You can visit many Native American reservations after learning about them, Gettysburg and more. When learning about the Civil War you can visit any of the National Battle Grounds, Plantation Houses, and Underground Railroad monuments. Do your research and know what is around you that will make a good day trip.
Ensure kids pay attention
It’s easy for kids to zone out and only focus on the fun while on their field trip. To avoid this give your kids a list of questions for them to answer by visiting different exhibits. Or tell them there will be extra credit with questions at the end of the day from certain exhibits and then pull your questions right from the tour, the signs, or brochures.
Have kids write a report
Once you are home or the next day have the kids write a report on what they learned and what they wished they had learned more about (this gives you some teaching ideas!) This will show you how much of the subject they have grasped and if there are any weak areas you need to cover before moving on.
Check out some of the homeschooling field trips we have taken in the past year!
- Old Salem, NC
- SciWorks Museum, NC
- Kennedy Space Center, FL
- Children’s Museum, NC
- Florida Historic Capitol Museum, Tallahasee FL
- Mission San Luis, Tallahassee FL
What tips do you have for making sure kids get the most out of field trips?
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