Why I Love In-Class Field Trips

Field trips are such a great way to make learning come to life! They’re a day filled with excitement, hands on learning and a bit of chaos as students are out of their regular routine. Although I do love the opportunity to venture out into the community and spend the day somewhere other than the classroom, an in-class field trip can provide the same valuable experience without all the extra craziness of leaving school.

Depending on where you live and what you have around your school, there may be opportunities for in-class field trips. You can find these through different facilities that you would normally take your class to. Check if they have a class, workshop or presentation that would come to you.

Where I live, there is a place called CuriOdyssey. They have many different workshops that you can do at the facility or that will come to your school. My class does their “Egg-Sploration” workshop when we hatch chicks to connect to our oviparous unit. I’ve done this workshop a few times at the venue but I really love when they come to my classroom.

Why I Love In-Class Field Trips

You’re in the comfort of your own classroom.

I love an in-class field trip because you get to stay in your own classroom! You know where everything is, you have easily available bathrooms, you’re comfortable. No need to get acclimated with a new place. Plus the kids know your expectations because they’re in their regular environment.

Easier with little kids.

Ever have a field trip where students are running through the cafeteria or gift shop? It’s a nightmare! And, even with chaperones, you have to be on top of all students at all times. With little kids especially, you never know which way they’re going to go. An in-class field trip takes care of all this chaos.

No need for chaperones.

When you’re not going anywhere, you don’t need to take the step of getting chaperones. This means you aren’t hurting feelings of parents who can’t go or having to explain the rules and expectations to the parents who are going. This makes everything more low-key.

Or field trip forms or emergency bags.

You also don’t need to take extra steps in getting field trip forms or remembering to bring your emergency bag. Of course I tell parents that we’ll be having an in-class field trip, however, they don’t need to sign any forms because we have all the emergency info at school, where we’ll be staying for the field trip. You also don’t need your emergency bag which takes an extra load off, literally!

The whole day isn’t thrown off.

Usually when you go on a field trip, you leave in the morning and don’t return until at least after lunch. This is fun as the kids get to experience a new place and a new learning environment, however, it throws off your whole day and likely when you get back to school, students will be wound up and will want to do anything except sit at their desk. An in-class field trip only lasts an hour or two and since there’s no drive time, you can get back to your day right away.

Students get the same learning experience in their own environment.

In-class field trips are just as valuable as going somewhere for a field trip. The workshop we do, brings all the same things that they use at the facility so nothing is lost by doing it in the classroom. I believe students are even more focused when they’re in their regular environment and may get even more from the field trip!