The school year is in full swing and educator thoughts are turning to field trips.  Field trips serve a strong supportive role in educating our young and teachers know that.  But if they’re new to the job, or have had some hair-raising experiences in the field in the past, the whole idea can haul them up short.

That’s why we’re offering these tips for teachers to execute an awesome field trip.  Fear not, brave educators!  Junior Tours has you covered.

Peer support.

There’s nothing more valuable to teachers than the support of their peers.  Even if you haven’t taken your class to a local destination of interest before, somebody in your school has.  Once you’ve decided on where you’re taking your young charges, seek out the experiences of fellow teachers who’ve done it before.

Don’t forget to take advantage of the knowledge of people at your destination, like docents and visitor services professionals.  These are your best friends when taking your kids into the field.  They can share important information with you to make your field trip a memorable learning experience.

Chaperone prep.

Parent chaperones often have their own ideas about the way things should be done.  Input is fine, but making it clear you’re in charge is paramount here.

Gather your chaperones together before the field trip to describe the itinerary and assign duties.  Ensure everyone’s on the same page to avoid misunderstandings while you’re on your trip.  You’re the boss.  Chaperones are there to support you.

Homework for you.

Having direct, advance knowledge of the site you’re visiting before you go is an imperative.  You need to see where you’re going, identify potential problem areas and understand the site from the standpoint of your learning goals.

Doing a walkthrough in your spare time is part of being a teacher.  It will prepare you to share something with your students that you’ve experienced yourself and eliminate any unpleasant surprises on the “day off”.

The goal is learning.

Setting out behavioral guidelines before the trip is a priority.  Your students need to understand clearly that field trips aren’t an opportunity to text their friends incessantly or pursue their latest crushes.  They’re an opportunity to learn something.

Having a strongly defined itinerary is also extremely supportive.  Lunch is a challenge, but keep that time brief and engaging.  Talk to your students while they’re eating.  Ask their opinions about what they’ve seen on their field trip in the morning.  Don’t let them drift off, as that can spell trouble.

Junior Tours – your field trip partners.

If you’re a rookie teacher, we know field trips can be a daunting undertaking.  But fear not!  You’ll soon be an old hand.

At Junior Tours, we understand.  We were founded by a teacher in 1967.  We’re celebrating 50 years of taking students on exceptional learning experiences this year. We invite you to contact us for a free quote and sample itinerary.

These tips for teachers to execute an awesome field trip are our “new school year” gift to teachers!