Field Trips
Michelle Maddux, Shara
Bachman, Megan Mary, and
Valerie Johnson
Criteria for implementing field trips
• Should provide an opportunity for students to
explore the concepts discussed in class.
• Should be age-appropriate.
• Should have a purpose and be engaging for students.
• Discuss expectations and prepare students for the
experience.
• Allow children to be involved in planning.
Virtual vs. “Live” Field Trips
LIVE
• Permission slips
• Secure transportation
• Acquire parent volunteers
for adequate supervision
• Coordinate with site
personnel
• Bring first-aid kit and food (if
necessary)
• Create objectives and
materials for on-site activites
VIRTUAL
• Make sure students have
necessary skills to perform
on-line tasks
• Screen websites for
appropriateness
• Verify availability of
computers and server
connection
• Create purpose and activities
to perform while on-line: be
specific!
Field Trips for the Sacramento Area
K-2
3-4
5-6
Grocery Store
Indian Grinding Rock
Gibson Ranch (Civil
War Reenactment)
Fire Station
Old Sacramento &
Railroad Museum
Play at Local High
School
Sutter’s Fort
Tour of the Capitol
Mondavi Center
(cultural event)
Primary vs. Upper Grade Field Trips
Primary
 Build experiences through
exploration
 Enriches the real world
 Promotes appropriate
social behaviors
 Creates connection with
community
Upper Grades
 Extends curriculum through
critical thinking
 Requires students to make
connections to real-life
situations and curriculum
 Hands-on, Minds-on
 Extends beyond immediate
community
Technology and Social Studies
• Web-Quests allow students to explore primary resources and
utilize process skills
• Creates opportunities for students to access the world through
multi-media resources
• Provides options for presenting information in a new and
exciting way
• Develops critical thinking skills
• Students can communicate with people around the world!
– Develop cultural awareness
– Ask questions
Strengths and Weaknesses of Field
Trips
Strengths
Weaknesses
 Students connect classroom
experiences to real-life
situations
 Hands-on, Minds-on
 Opportunities for unique
experiences and memories
 Provides concrete examples
and promotes
comprehension of
curriculum
 Takes valuable instruction
time
 Requires advances planning
and organization
 Parent involvement
necessary
 Limited monetary resources
 If not connected to the
curriculum, can be frivolous