6 Things You Must Do Before a Field Trip

Going on a field trip? Check out all the ways you can prepare so your trip runs smoothly!

Field trip days are some of the most fun yet absolutely terrifying days for a teacher. Kids are thrown off their normal schedule, overstimulated and extra energized. On top of dealing with rowdy students,  you’re expected to provide an educational experience while managing unthinkables that always tend to happen on the craziest days. This is why teachers often say they have super powers. We deal with everything and on field trip day the chaos is magnified. First tip to a successful field trip – get yourself a large coffee… you’re gonna need it.

In the four years that I’ve taught kindergarten, I’ve learned a few things about field trips and how to prepare in order to set yourself up for a more enjoyable experience.

Here are the 6 things you must do before a field trip.

1. Bring reinforcements – I mean Chaperones

First, you need to decide how many chaperones you want. I generally like to only take as many chaperones that I need to drive all the students. (Having too many parents can add to more chaos rather than helping.) Also, check with the field trip facility because you may have to pay for chaperones as well as students.

2. Send Home Permission Slips

My school has a certain permission slip that we send home that has the day of information and parents have to fill out the child’s doctor and emergency contact info. I send these permission slips home two weeks before the field trip. This gives parents enough time to fill out the form and send it back but doesn’t give too much time to where they’ll lose it and you’ll have to track them down.

Going on a field trip? Check out all the ways you can prepare so your trip runs smoothly!

3. Informational Letter to Parents

The week before the field trip, I send a general message to parents about the details of the field trip. As a kinder teacher, we have the extra step of making sure everyone has a carseat. TIP: tell parents to label the carseat with their child’s name on painters tape. In the past, I’ve had a few students who didn’t know their carseat and I had to go into investigation mode.

4. Separate Informational Letter to Chaperones

I also send home a separate letter to just the chaperones about their duties and responsibilities as a volunteer on the field trip. TIP: remind parents that they should put their phones away and really watch the kids. I make sure to emphasize that they are the ones in charge of their small group so that I’m not constantly the enforcer, running from group to group.

Going on a field trip? Check out all the ways you can prepare so your trip runs smoothly!

5. Color Code Your Name tags

I use large labels to make my name tags for our field trip. I write the students name (first name only) and put a colored sticker in the corner. The students know that if they’re in the green group, they must stay with other kids in the green group and stay with the green group chaperone. This makes it visually easier to know what kids belong to which chaperone and who rides in which car.

6. Pack Your Bag (or Backpack)

Like I said from the beginning, you never know what’s going to happen while you’re on a field trip so pack your bag so you can be prepared. I pack our first aid kit, hand sanitizer, wipes, Kleenex and water. I also put student’s permission slips in just incase. Make sure to pack any necessities for kids who have allergies also!

Going on a field trip? Check out all the ways you can prepare so your trip runs smoothly!

What would you add to this list? Anything you always do to prepare yourself and your class for a field trip? Leave a comment below!

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