Informal Learning and Field Trips
Engaging Students in Standards-Based Experiences Across the K-5 Curriculum
- Leah M. Melber - Museum Education Consultant
Foreword by Doris B. Ash
"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.
"A highly accessible work on all facets of informal learning opportunities that will be of immense value to teachers. 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."
"This great resource for both teachers and administrators demonstrates how to gain more meaning from field trips and includes rubrics that make it easy to assess student learning. This book proves that just as much, or more, learning can be achieved when not in a classroom setting."
"Very useful in providing logistical advice, lesson planning ideas, curricular integration, and Internet resources. The particular attention to methods of implementing constructivist learning for each content area is especially helpful."
"Provides straightforward, thoughtful, necessary information of which all teachers should be aware. The grade level activities with objectives, standards, and procedures are so thorough and easy to follow that they are a godsend to busy teachers."
"A solid resource for educators and professionals to helping K-5 students get the most out of a field trip. Step-by-step procedures, a wealth of resources, and wisdom garnered from hands-on, practical experience make for an invaluable supplement to any K-5 teacher's reference collection."
"An excellent set of interrelated lesson plans using field trips as a foundation for exploring new experiences."
