Informal Learning and Field Trips

Engaging Students in Standards-Based Experiences Across the K-5 Curriculum
Leah M. Melber - Museum Education Consultant
Informal Learning and Field Trips
November 2007 | 160 pages | Corwin
Create Flyer

Purchase

eBook
ISBN: 9781452294568
Available from January 0001
Paperback
ISBN: 9781412949804
Available from January 0001

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

Foreword by Doris B. Ash

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

1. Where to Begin? Planning for Field Trips

1. Where to Begin? Planning for Field Trips

2. Active Investigators: Science Explorations

2. Active Investigators: Science Explorations

3. Language Alive: Language Arts Explorations

3. Language Alive: Language Arts Explorations

4. More Than Names and Dates: Social Science Explorations

4. More Than Names and Dates: Social Science Explorations

5. 1, 2, 3, Go! Math Explorations

5. 1, 2, 3, Go! Math Explorations

6. An Artistic Eye: Fine Art Explorations

6. An Artistic Eye: Fine Art Explorations

7. Access for All: Everyone Can Go on Field Trips

7. Access for All: Everyone Can Go on Field Trips

8. Technically Speaking: Using Technology to Enhance Field Trips

8. Technically Speaking: Using Technology to Enhance Field Trips

9. Making Your Case: Information to Share With Administrators

9. Making Your Case: Information to Share With Administrators

10. When You Have to Stay on Campus: Alternatives to Off-site Field Trips

10. When You Have to Stay on Campus: Alternatives to Off-site Field Trips

11. Learning for You: Teacher Resources at Informal Learning Sites

11. Learning for You: Teacher Resources at Informal Learning Sites

Conclusion

Conclusion

References

References

Index

Index

Additional materials

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

Foreword by Doris B. Ash

Preface

Preface

Acknowledgments

Acknowledgments

1. Where to Begin? Planning for Field Trips

1. Where to Begin? Planning for Field Trips

2. Active Investigators: Science Explorations

2. Active Investigators: Science Explorations

3. Language Alive: Language Arts Explorations

3. Language Alive: Language Arts Explorations

4. More Than Names and Dates: Social Science Explorations

4. More Than Names and Dates: Social Science Explorations

5. 1, 2, 3, Go! Math Explorations

5. 1, 2, 3, Go! Math Explorations

6. An Artistic Eye: Fine Art Explorations

6. An Artistic Eye: Fine Art Explorations

7. Access for All: Everyone Can Go on Field Trips

7. Access for All: Everyone Can Go on Field Trips

8. Technically Speaking: Using Technology to Enhance Field Trips

8. Technically Speaking: Using Technology to Enhance Field Trips

9. Making Your Case: Information to Share With Administrators

9. Making Your Case: Information to Share With Administrators

10. When You Have to Stay on Campus: Alternatives to Off-site Field Trips

10. When You Have to Stay on Campus: Alternatives to Off-site Field Trips

11. Learning for You: Teacher Resources at Informal Learning Sites

11. Learning for You: Teacher Resources at Informal Learning Sites

Conclusion

Conclusion

References

References

Index

Index

Additional materials

SAGE Publishing Logo

Informal Learning and Field Trips

Engaging Students in Standards-Based Experiences Across the K-5 Curriculum


November 2007 | 160 pages | Corwin

Format Published Date ISBN Price
Paperback 28/04/2023 9781412949804 $39.95
Hardcover 27/02/2023 9781412949798 $73.95
Lifetime 30/09/2024 9781452294568 $36.00

"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.


Table Of 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

Recent Product Reviews:

"An excellent set of interrelated lesson plans using field trips as a foundation for exploring new experiences."
The Bookwatch, June 2008, Midwest Book Review
"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."
Library Bookwatch, March 2008, Midwest Book Review
"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."
Robert Rueda, Professor of Education, University of Southern California
"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."
Mark Johnson, Principal and Curriculum and Assessment Facilitator, Glenwood Elementary School, Kearney, NE
"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."
Pender Kimball, Director, REAL School, Windham, ME

Recommendations