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Field Trips--Not sure what to do

by Victoria

Aug 16, 2009

Would anyone like to share their favorite field trips?

Quick background: I teach 2nd through 8th grade gifted at a rural, low socio-economic, mainly minority school. I have 44 students in our program this year. This is my second year teaching gifted...last year I started off teaching 4th grade but switched in September. My program is 1 ho...See MoreWould anyone like to share their favorite field trips?

Quick background: I teach 2nd through 8th grade gifted at a rural, low socio-economic, mainly minority school. I have 44 students in our program this year. This is my second year teaching gifted...last year I started off teaching 4th grade but switched in September. My program is 1 hour pullout for the most part (one class meets a bit longer on some days and not at all on Wednesdays).

I am looking for ideas on where to take them. And it's not just trying to find a place to go--there are other choices to be made.

Year before last, the students went to Atlanta with the previous teacher. It was an overnight trip where they stayed in hotel rooms. They were able to see the Coke museum, the MLK museum, the aquarium, and Six Flags.

Last year, beign my first year, I took them to the Memphis Zoo for a day trip. I originally looked into an overnight at the Atlanta Zoo but the middle school students (and parents *sigh*) balked when they realized there were no shower facilities.

Anyway, this year I want to do something that will be very memorable to them. I decided to poll the parents to see what ideas they came up with and I'm even more confused now as to how to do this.

One question asked if they would prefer an overnight trip or a day trip. The majority of the parents of older children said an overnight or either. The majority of parents of the younger children chose the day trip.

The second question asked them if they would be willing to fundraise and that wasn't an issue at all--they all responded with yes.

The third question asked for suggestions. Only a few parents actually answered that but the of the ones who did, three of them mentioned amusement parks. I guess they don't realize that I can't do an amusement park with the kids just because. That it has to be educational. The previous teacher got away with it because they had a physics type activity on rollercoasters. One parent mentioned Disney World. Another parent suggested Florida.

Before I sent this home, I was thinking about a trip to the Space and Rocket Center in Huntsville, AL. It's fairly close to our location (3 hours) and they have some amazing overnight programs to choose from. I'm pretty sure showers are available so that shouldn't be an issue LOL

However, now I'm not sure. I am also not sure what to do about how many of the younger kids' parents don't want an overnight trip. I'm afraid if I divide the group into two separate field trips, though, the cost will go up much higher due to the charter bus price being split among fewer children. I have 17 students in grades 2-4 and 27 students in 5-8.

Any advice? Oh and it doesn't help that I was told I was thinking far enough "out of the box" for field trips by another teacher who used to teach gifted. She thought field trips overnight in caves and such would be more impactful on the students. I was thinking the space center was right up the gifted children's alley because it is problem-solving but also adventurous. Hmmm.

Ok, the year is just beginning--so no panicking yet, right? I would love any help you guys can give! Thanks!

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