Agenda “Why take a field trip?” Planning and Booking Creating an Itinerary Equity and Inclusion Heath and Safety Transportation Costing Approval and Consent Class Preparations Day of Departure Class management Resources

(Aren’t they a lot of work) Why Take a field trip? (Aren’t they a lot of work)

Benefits of getting out of the classroom Field trips are fun! Field trips are memorable! Field trips support learning! The student gains a new perspective on learning outside the classroom setting. Differentiated instruction! Students will absorb different knowledge from these events. They are a way to reinforce and expand on concepts taught in class. Field trips offer students another method to apply concepts in the real world! Students share the experience as a group! Field trips allows the teacher to interact with students in an exciting new environment! Field trips can be a chance for students to have new experiences and make new connections with the world they live in!

Field trips can be challenging -You have to plan ahead above and beyond your normal lessons. There is a lot of responsibility. Paperwork, paperwork, paperwork. You are on your own with students and you need to keep them organized and disciplined. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6dncx6O5J4U Billy Madison, Angry Bus driver

But They are worth it!!!!!

selecting the destination and making an itinerary Planning and booking selecting the destination and making an itinerary

How to decide where to go. Teachers are often the best source of information about great field trips. Talk to colleagues at school. Check out the internet and what is around your school. Community events in your area might make excellent field trips for your class. Contact the event organizers to discuss whether they can accommodate a class in their program. Many field trip destinations align their programs with specific Provincial prescribed learning outcomes. This information is probably available on the destination's website or in their marketing materials. Talk to the educator at a field trip destination you would like to visit. They may be able to develop a program to meet your specific needs. Some programs are ideally suited to introduce a unit while others may be a great way to conclude a unit. Consider the timing of your field trip with the teaching of your unit.

When booking get the following information: Booking your field trip Book your program early to avoid disappointment. When you book your program have the following information ready: number of students and grade specific program or experience you want to participate in referred date and time and a couple of optional dates unique learning needs of your class - do your students have specific needs are support staff coming, etc When booking get the following information: total cost of field trip and when payment is expected number of parent chaperones that are required and cost, if any, for parent chaperones cancellation policy other activities that may be of interest to your students in the area confirmation of program date and arrival time (which might be different than program start time)

Creating an Itinerary

Food and Clothing Ask about food options available at destination. Is there food for purchase or bag lunch? Ask if there is clothing students should wear for weather or because of the environment. Should they bring sun screen?

Inclusion and Equity “An equitable, inclusive education system is one in which all students, parents, guardians and other members of the school community are welcomed and respected, and every student is supported and inspired to succeed in a culture of high expectations for learning. “Equity and inclusive education are fundamental to the Ontario government’s renewed vision for education, as set out in Achieving Excellence: A Renewed Vision for Education in Ontario.” Equity and Inclusive Education in Ontario Schools,GUIDELINES FOR POLICY DEVELOPMENT AND IMPLEMENTATION 2014

Considerations for an equitable and inclusive trip Ensure accessibility for all students. Do not marginalize students from trips due to cost. Provide accommodations for students with special needs. Be aware of travel requirements, obstacles at the destination, sensory triggers. Are their students who need visual or auditory aids? Carry Epi pens or medication for students with severe allergies. Ensure the content of the excursion does not alienate students by assuming inclusion based on race, religion, family model, or gender.

Health and Safety Planning For A Safe Excursion Risk assessment should always be considered in the planning process. Do we need to do the activity? If we do it, is it foreseeable that someone can be injured? What is the probability of injury? What can we do to prevent an injury? What is the probable severity of the most likely injury? How much supervision is required to make the excursion safe? What is my emergency plan?

Field trip that should not have been

Transportation When selecting how to move the students consider the distance to the destination and the size of the group. Smaller groups may use board approved vans. Personal vehicles need principal approval. Consider trips that are walkable or use public transportation. (TTC)

Costing consideration

Approval Principals and sometimes superintendents need to formally approve an excursion. Each board will have an approved form to be completed - example TDSB Form 511A Ensure you complete all the necessary documentation and allow time for validation before booking your trip Ensure you can relate the excursion to Ontario’s School Curriculum

consent Students under the age of 18 will require the signed consent of a parent or guardian to participate in school related excursions Each board has a standard form to be used which will include essential information and costs for the student ex TDSB form 511C Boards provide forms multiple languages Pass out permission slips and information sheet for students including due dates for money and signed forms and the cost and detail of your trip. Ask for chaperones/volunteers on the consent forms.

Preparing to go Brief your students before the field trip so they know the itinerary and why they are going. Remind the students about due dates... Students have a tendency to forget. Call to remind parents when it comes closer to the due date. Create a lesson to complete in conjunction with the field trip. Some destinations might provide a learning activity to complement the tour! Review expectations for behaviour. Although all students should attend the field trip, prepare work for student who are unable to attend.

Day of departure Field Trip Day Checklist Signed permission forms Seating plan for buses Parent and emergency contact numbers Name tags and class attendance Weather Report is positive Destination contact information Medication, 2 Epi pens, First Aid Kit Volunteer contact information

Class Management Take head counts. Separate difficult students and use volunteers to monitor students. Enforce buddy systems. Never leave group to look for a missing student. If students violate school codes or destination rules, they can be sent home at the expense of the parent/guardian.

Resources learnoutofthebox.weebly.com

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Virtual field trips