Field Trip
Planning Guide Select where you are in your real world learning journey.
Getting Started
Set your goals and understand your commitment.
Finding Partners
Who from the real world will interact with your students?
Preparing
What do you need to be ready to launch?
Launching
Connect your students with real world learning experiences.
Following Up
How will you follow up with everyone after the experience?
Reflecting
Did you achieve your goals?
Getting Started
Understand goals and commitments
Find a community event that matches what your students need and is aligned with your curriculum
Write down your vision and identify student learning goals for the event. Use the RWL Activity Planning Worksheet.
Contact your school administration/district to clarify details regarding permission slips, transportation, supervision, and costs
Finding Partners
Who from the real world will interact with your students?
Reach out to the event hosts to ensure the event can accommodate your students
Request additional information on event to prepare students
Preparing
What do you need to be ready to launch?
Get permission from your principal.
Arrange transportation
Send and collect permission slips and any other required documentation for students
Do a lesson(s) with students on professional soft skills (see Lesson 17 for an example)
If chaperones are attending, prepare them to be on the same page regarding student expectations and etiquette
Have students research who will be at the event and what will be happening
Ensure students know the dress code and logistics of the event
Supporting materials that can help
Launching
Connect your students with real world learning experiences.
On your way to the field trip site, check-in with students to make sure expectations are clear and they feel confident
Attend the event
Take pictures and videos to document the event
Monitor the event to ensure students are maximizing their time and having positive interactions
Tips
Encourage students to record people they meet and document interactions. Also encourage them to record observations about the environment. This can be done in small notebooks to debrief the experience.
Following Up
How will you follow up with everyone after the experience?
Write a thank you note to the organizer if you worked directly with someone
Have students write a follow-up note or email to the field trip host(s)
Tips
Have students write about their experiences and share with the local community or arrange interviews with the local newspaper and media outlets
Reflecting
Did you achieve your goals?
Reflect on the field trip with your students (see Student Reflection)
Reflect on the field trip yourself (see Teacher Reflection)
Share about the experience with teachers and families
Tips
Share your story. It will help spread good ideas and gain support from others. You can blog about it, share it at a faculty meeting, send out a press release, etc.
