Article Link: http://exchangepress.com/article/field-trip-stories-and-perspectives/5013956/
Mary MaugerLauriston Early Learning Centre
Melbourne, Australia
Field trips, or excursions, as we call them, are a very special part of our program. We take the children out of the centre many times during the term, with each trip being an integral aspect of their research.
Sometimes this may mean it is only a small group of three children or so, maybe a larger group of nine or ten, or perhaps the whole group of 20. We have, on occasion, taken the entire centre of 90, but this is usually only once or twice a year.
If it is possible to walk, we will. For example, in a study of bridges, we walked to the railway bridge close by. Sometimes we need to take a tram into the city to visit one of our parents at work or to the art gallery or museum. Once we went in to see the Cathedral, as there had been a debate as to the existence of God and the children wanted to find out if he lived there.
Other times I drive the school bus, and this is great fun as the children think it is most exciting to see their teacher as bus driver. The bus gives us ...