Connecting Curriculum to the Real World

foto:Muddy Sneakers org

Learning expedition as opposed to field trips:

”During a typical year at Normal Park Museum Magnet School, every student goes on an average of 16 school trips. From museums to small businesses to the local river, the entire Chattanooga community is a space of learning for Normal Park’s students. It seems hard to believe that a school could manage to have students take so many trips in one year. Don’t students need to be in the classroom learning?
At Normal Park, students embark on learning expeditions as opposed to field trips. These outings differ from field trips in that they focus very specifically on connecting the trip to the curriculum content that students are learning. Learning expeditions are short, focused trips lasting anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours.

Next time you’re planning a trip, think about turning it into a learning opportunity for your students. It doesn’t have to be a full-day excursion to the nearest theme park; short, focused expeditions can be a great way to break outside your classroom walls and get students to see learning everywhere. ”

(source:Edutopia)