Chapter 3 Book Study – Field Trips

Chapter 3 of the book was all about field trips, and I have to admit—I have a love-hate relationship with them. While I absolutely love the idea of getting my students out into the world to explore, I must admit that I dread the actual logistics.

There’s something about managing a bus full of excited kindergartners that makes me feel like I’ve run a marathon by the end of the day! Trying to keep track of all my little ones, ensuring that every parent volunteer is informed and organized, and answering a million “Are we there yet?” questions leaves me completely exhausted.

Field Trip Memories

Still, no matter how tiring they can be, field trips always end up being some of my favorite memories of the school year. There’s a certain kind of joy that radiates from young children when they experience something new for the first time. Watching their faces light up as they see a real elephant, taste apple cider at a pumpkin patch, or touch sea creatures in a tide pool reminds me of why I became a teacher in the first place. The excitement, curiosity, and laughter make all the planning worth it.

The best part? The memories last far beyond the school year. Every so often, I’ll run into a former student who’ll excitedly remind me about something funny that happened on one of our trips—like the time an elephant at the zoo let out a thunderous fart and the entire class erupted in giggles. These moments stick with them, not just because they’re funny, but because they represent the joy of learning outside the classroom walls.

Field Trip Opportunities

I’m fortunate to live and teach in San Diego, where there are numerous incredible places to explore. Every year, our class takes a trip to the Pumpkin Patch in the fall and to the San Diego Zoo in the spring. Both are huge hits with my students. They get to connect what they’ve learned in class with real-life experiences—seeing animals they’ve studied or exploring how plants grow in different environments. It’s incredible to watch their classroom knowledge come alive in the real world.

Of course, not every field trip requires a bus or a big budget. Some of my favorite experiences have been our in-school “field trips.” We’ve had guest speakers come to share their expertise—such as one of our classroom parents, a dentist, who came in to teach about dental hygiene and the importance of keeping germs at bay. The students were fascinated by all the tools she brought and loved practicing their brushing techniques on the model teeth she shared. Moments like those remind me that field trips can happen anywhere—sometimes the best learning adventures come right to your door.

New Scenery

One of the ideas from the book that really stood out to me was that just getting out of the classroom can be a powerful experience for students. A change of scenery can inspire new ways of thinking and spark creativity. I know for myself, whenever I step outside for a quick walk, my brain seems to wake up and ideas start flowing. The same is true for kids—fresh air and movement can have a profound impact on their focus and motivation.

To make this idea more intentional, I created a simple form for my students to use during outdoor learning activities. For example, one day we went on a shape hunt around the school, looking for examples of 2D and 3D shapes in our environment. The students loved it—it turned a regular geometry lesson into an interactive adventure! Just click on the picture if you’d like a copy!

Reflecting on this chapter reminded me of the importance of providing students with opportunities to learn outside of the traditional classroom setting. We have a beautiful grassy area just outside our classroom, and I often forget how refreshing it can be to take our clipboards and do our work out there on sunny days. The atmosphere instantly changes—students are calmer, more focused, and genuinely happy to be learning in the open air.

After reading this chapter, I’m committing to incorporating more outdoor learning experiences into our routine. Whether it’s a big off-campus adventure, a simple nature walk, or just moving a lesson outside, these moments provide students with hands-on learning and lasting memories.

Field trips, big or small, help students connect classroom lessons to the world around them. And while I may still come home from those days feeling like I’ve been run over by a truck, I know that the excitement, laughter, and lifelong learning make every moment worth it. Check out my thoughts on chapters 1 & 2!