Things are going to get harder as class sizes remain large, testing becomes more standardized, and budgets are cut even further. There had been a possibility that field trips were going to be cut. Several years ago, when my district was considering cutting funding for field trips, I wrote an email to the administration expressing the importance of this type of experience. Our students have very little experiences, and field trips provide those learning moments that are not possible through any other medium. For whatever reason, the district maintained funding for field trips back then. Now, as of the most recent update, field trips are still possible. We will simply need to hold fundraisers to help make them possible. I have faith that we will provide this valuable learning tool for our students.
The last field trip of the year was to the Lori Brock Museum. Students were able to tour through a town of preserved buildings from the early 1900's and an old one-room schoolhouse from the 1880's:
This one building alone provided a irreplaceable view and understanding of the California Social Studies Content Standard 1.4.1:
Students compare and contrast everyday life in different times and places
around the world and recognize that some aspects of people, places, and things
change over time while others stay the same. Examine the structure of schools and communities in the past.
We had read some Little House books and our social studies curriculum covering this standard in class. The kids were familiar with what a one-room school house was like through pictures, words, and illustrations. Seeing this historic building brought those words and pictures to life. Once we were back at our own school we reviewed and discussed this building to compare and contrast it to ours. The students met this task with a new enthusiasm gained from their field trip experience. You can see a map of the other buildings they were able to visit here:
The other part of our visit to this location was to Kid City:
"Kid City is a self-guided tour that features the basics of any town - a library, a bank, a veterinarian's office, a restaurant, a park, a theater, an ambulance and fire department among others. Kid City offers children the ability, through role-playing, to learn about different careers in the community in which they live."
The pure ecstatic joy that came out of that room filled with children exploring their mini city and how each business contributes to the community was enough to power smiles for a lifetime. For a short while, they became actors and actresses, bankers, grocers, shoppers, veterinarians, cooks, servers, policemen, firemen, ambulance drivers, teachers, librarians, puppeteers, and newsmen. They acted out scenarios and withdrew money from the bank to patronize the establishments. I do not remember how many times I was thanked by happy little faces or heard the exclamation, "This is the best day!" I could not take the credit, though. This particular field trip was completely arranged by my colleague. I could never thank Mrs. M. enough for the incredible happiness that our students gained from an educational activity. It is education at its best. Everything they engaged in has been favorably embedded into their hearts and minds. So, as I look back on this past school year, I look forward to next year, more learning, and more field trips.
