I had the opportunity to take my students on a field trip....It was a great experience, mostly because it is so foreign to them. Every time I plan a field trip it is so much work that I question if I will do it again. But I always do. It is worth it to see the kids so engaged, and to see kids that struggle in the classroom be so successful in a different setting. One student had never been out of our county before. Another, since I teach in a very urban district, had never seen a real chipmunk. That was a big hit!! The trip was to Iroquois National Wildlife Refuge. It is a program with a local college, so our students got to interact with college students (who were their guides). They took a guided walk, did a scavenger hunt, and played some games. The kids were afraid of the bugs and mud, at first, but they settled in and had a great time!
If you have the opportunity to take your students out of their element, and expose them to new things, do it!! Testing does not capture all that we do as teachers, or all the growth that our students have, but this is an important part of our role!
Love, love, love this. Well done!! I am aware that such excursions take an enormous amount of organisation, responsibility and stress on your part, as a teacher. But as you say, the rewards to your kiddos are priceless. What an amazing gift for your students. And yes, there is so VERY much more to teaching and learning than test results. Bravo!! thursdaytook@hotmail.com (homeschooling Mum)
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