
Informal Learning and Field Trips
Engaging Students in Standards-Based Experiences Across the K-5 Curriculum
Leah M. Melber(Author)
Corwin Press Inc
1st Edition
Published on 9. January 2008
Book
Paperback/Softback
160 pages
978-1-4129-4980-4 (ISBN)
Description
"A highly accessible work of immense value on all facets of informal learning opportunities. The focus on specific content areas is an excellent tool for teachers, and the inclusion of a section related to English Language Learners is especially welcome and unique."
-Robert Rueda, Professor of Education
University of Southern California
"This great resource demonstrates how to gain more meaning from field trips and includes a wealth of tips, suggestions, and rubrics to make it easy to assess student learning. This book shows that just as much-or more-learning can be achieved when not in a classroom setting."
-Mark Johnson, Principal and Curriculum and Assessment Facilitator
Glenwood Elementary School, Kearney, NE
Turn every field trip into a high-quality learning experience!
What youngster isn't excited at the prospect of taking a field trip? Enthusiastic students present teachers with the ideal scenario for creating meaningful out-of-the-classroom encounters and giving students the building blocks to help them become active participants in their own educational process.
This resource helps educators take full advantage of off-site educational opportunities by developing lessons that connect informal learning with content standards. Based on constructivist philosophy and inquiry-based learning, the book provides numerous sample lesson plans and technology tips, and includes:
Learner-centered activities for language arts, math, science, social studies, and fine art
Ways to support English Language Learners and special education students
Guidelines for developing corresponding classroom activities
Strategies for building partnerships with informal learning sites
Methods for bringing museum-type activities into the classroom when a trip is not possible
Informal Learning and Field Trips helps enrich students' lives as they explore the world outside the school grounds and gives teachers a prime opportunity to revitalize the learning experience.
-Robert Rueda, Professor of Education
University of Southern California
"This great resource demonstrates how to gain more meaning from field trips and includes a wealth of tips, suggestions, and rubrics to make it easy to assess student learning. This book shows that just as much-or more-learning can be achieved when not in a classroom setting."
-Mark Johnson, Principal and Curriculum and Assessment Facilitator
Glenwood Elementary School, Kearney, NE
Turn every field trip into a high-quality learning experience!
What youngster isn't excited at the prospect of taking a field trip? Enthusiastic students present teachers with the ideal scenario for creating meaningful out-of-the-classroom encounters and giving students the building blocks to help them become active participants in their own educational process.
This resource helps educators take full advantage of off-site educational opportunities by developing lessons that connect informal learning with content standards. Based on constructivist philosophy and inquiry-based learning, the book provides numerous sample lesson plans and technology tips, and includes:
Learner-centered activities for language arts, math, science, social studies, and fine art
Ways to support English Language Learners and special education students
Guidelines for developing corresponding classroom activities
Strategies for building partnerships with informal learning sites
Methods for bringing museum-type activities into the classroom when a trip is not possible
Informal Learning and Field Trips helps enrich students' lives as they explore the world outside the school grounds and gives teachers a prime opportunity to revitalize the learning experience.
Reviews / Votes
"A highly accessible work on all facets of informal learning opportunities that will be of immense value to teachers. The focus on specific content areas is an excellent tool for teachers, and the inclusion of a section related to English Language Learners is especially welcome and unique." -- Robert Rueda, Professor of Education "This great resource for both teachers and administrators demonstrates how to gain more meaning from field trips and includes rubrics that make it easy to assess student learning. This book proves that just as much, or more, learning can be achieved when not in a classroom setting." -- Mark Johnson, Principal and Curriculum and Assessment Facilitator "Very useful in providing logistical advice, lesson planning ideas, curricular integration, and Internet resources. The particular attention to methods of implementing constructivist learning for each content area is especially helpful." -- Pender Kimball, Director "Provides straightforward, thoughtful, necessary information of which all teachers should be aware. The grade level activities with objectives, standards, and procedures are so thorough and easy to follow that they are a godsend to busy teachers." -- Kael Sagheer, Former Teacher "A solid resource for educators and professionals to helping K-5 students get the most out of a field trip. Step-by-step procedures, a wealth of resources, and wisdom garnered from hands-on, practical experience make for an invaluable supplement to any K-5 teacher's reference collection." -- Library Bookwatch, March 2008 "An excellent set of interrelated lesson plans using field trips as a foundation for exploring new experiences." -- The Bookwatch, June 2008More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Thousand Oaks
United States
Publishing group
SAGE Publications Inc
Target group
Professional and scholarly
Dimensions
Height: 280 mm
Width: 216 mm
Thickness: 9 mm
Weight
426 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4129-4980-4 (9781412949804)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions

Leah M. Melber
Informal Learning and Field Trips
Engaging Students in Standards-Based Experiences Across the K-5 Curriculum
Book
01/2008
1st Edition
Corwin Press Inc
€69.50
Shipment within 10-20 days
Person
Leah M. Melber, Ph.D. has nearly 20 years experience within informal and formal science education. She holds a BA in Zoology, an MA in education together with a multiple subject teaching credential for the state of California, and a Ph.D. in educational psychology from the University of Southern California. She has presented widely on inquiry-based instruction and effective methods of connecting with cultural institutions such as museums. In addition to numerous journal articles she has written on this topic, she has recently published a book titled "Informal Learning and Field Trips". She was awarded the 2001 Informal Educator Award through the California Science Teachers Association. She joined the staff of Lincoln Park Zoo in December of 2008.
Content
Foreword by Doris B. Ash
Preface
Acknowledgments
1. Where to Begin? Planning for Field Trips
2. Active Investigators: Science Explorations
3. Language Alive: Language Arts Explorations
4. More Than Names and Dates: Social Science Explorations
5. 1, 2, 3, Go! Math Explorations
6. An Artistic Eye: Fine Art Explorations
7. Access for All: Everyone Can Go on Field Trips
8. Technically Speaking: Using Technology to Enhance Field Trips
9. Making Your Case: Information to Share With Administrators
10. When You Have to Stay on Campus: Alternatives to Off-site Field Trips
11. Learning for You: Teacher Resources at Informal Learning Sites
Conclusion
References
Index
Preface
Acknowledgments
1. Where to Begin? Planning for Field Trips
2. Active Investigators: Science Explorations
3. Language Alive: Language Arts Explorations
4. More Than Names and Dates: Social Science Explorations
5. 1, 2, 3, Go! Math Explorations
6. An Artistic Eye: Fine Art Explorations
7. Access for All: Everyone Can Go on Field Trips
8. Technically Speaking: Using Technology to Enhance Field Trips
9. Making Your Case: Information to Share With Administrators
10. When You Have to Stay on Campus: Alternatives to Off-site Field Trips
11. Learning for You: Teacher Resources at Informal Learning Sites
Conclusion
References
Index