Full Description
"A highly accessible work of immense value on all facets of informal learning opportunities. The focus on specific content areas is an excellent tool for teachers, and the inclusion of a section related to English Language Learners is especially welcome and unique."
—Robert Rueda, Professor of Education
University of Southern California
"This great resource demonstrates how to gain more meaning from field trips and includes a wealth of tips, suggestions, and rubrics to make it easy to assess student learning. This book shows that just as much—or more—learning can be achieved when not in a classroom setting."
—Mark Johnson, Principal and Curriculum and Assessment Facilitator
Glenwood Elementary School, Kearney, NE
Turn every field trip into a high-quality learning experience!
What youngster isn't excited at the prospect of taking a field trip? Enthusiastic students present teachers with the ideal scenario for creating meaningful out-of-the-classroom encounters and giving students the building blocks to help them become active participants in their own educational process.
This resource helps educators take full advantage of off-site educational opportunities by developing lessons that connect informal learning with content standards. Based on constructivist philosophy and inquiry-based learning, the book provides numerous sample lesson plans and technology tips, and includes:
Learner-centered activities for language arts, math, science, social studies, and fine art
Ways to support English Language Learners and special education students
Guidelines for developing corresponding classroom activities
Strategies for building partnerships with informal learning sites
Methods for bringing museum-type activities into the classroom when a trip is not possible
Informal Learning and Field Trips helps enrich students' lives as they explore the world outside the school grounds and gives teachers a prime opportunity to revitalize the learning experience.
Contents
Foreword by Doris B. Ash
Preface
Acknowledgments
1. Where to Begin? Planning for Field Trips
2. Active Investigators: Science Explorations
3. Language Alive: Language Arts Explorations
4. More Than Names and Dates: Social Science Explorations
5. 1, 2, 3, Go! Math Explorations
6. An Artistic Eye: Fine Art Explorations
7. Access for All: Everyone Can Go on Field Trips
8. Technically Speaking: Using Technology to Enhance Field Trips
9. Making Your Case: Information to Share With Administrators
10. When You Have to Stay on Campus: Alternatives to Off-site Field Trips
11. Learning for You: Teacher Resources at Informal Learning Sites
Conclusion
References
Index
