Field Trips

There are many perks to teaching a lower grade level... my favorite of which being the field trips.

This year the fifth graders have had a variety of trips.  In fact, we've had one each month and have gone everywhere from plays to colleges and museums and more!  Although each trip has been unique in its own way, there are certain things that, for myself as a first year teacher, make them all stand out.  I will try to compile this list of "certain things" here.

1. The teacher comradery.  One of my favorite parts of this year has been getting to know the teachers with whom I work.  I have learned so much from each and every one of them and have come to truly enjoy their friendship.  That being said, the fifteen minutes (give or take) for lunch that we are allotted daily doesn't seem to cut it to foster such friendships.  On top of the short amount of time, we are also generally stressing out about something. It's nice when we have a little more time together in a more relaxed setting to really have fun.  I can really only remember one or two trips where we were actually all sitting together, but from those trips came a lot of laughs and fun. 

2. The bus rides. Well, most of the time.  When the kids aren't screaming across the bus from one another and hanging into the aisles the bus rides aren't all that bad.  The reason I really appreciate the bus rides, though, is that they have provided teachable moments, both for my own kids and for some fifth graders that I don't often interact with.  Usually I'll have a few of my own plop themselves in the seat next to mine so that they can chat with me.  I remember making small talk in the beginning of the year with some of them, trying to learn more about their lives.  Then when our destinations were in Philly, I took pride in teaching them everything I knew about what we were passing as we were passing it.  I had the privilege of talking to them about some places in Old City, the murals on the buildings, China Town, Temple, and I've even been able to point out my street from a distance.  Is there a saying, "Once a tour guide, always a tour guide"? Because if not there should be.

3. The kids' excitement. Who doesn't love field trips? Never do you get to see kids be kids more than when they are discovering and learning during a hands-on, new experience.  Especially when surrounded by these kids, some of whom have already been given a more difficult hand of cards than most adults, it is amazing to see how what some may view as simple can bring someone so much joy and interest.  Yesterday, we took the fifth graders to the Philadelphia Zoo, which had a special zoo-wide exhibit for The Lorax. One of my students has been talking nonstop about The Lorax for the past month.  Needless to say, his enthusiasm was contagious.  

4. Okay, so #4 might not be a theme across multiple trips. It may just be that I got to take my kids to Temple. Yes, Temple University.  Although, I'm not sure what was better: the actual trip of the build up to it.  The build up included dressing up in college gear (first mine and then their own!), learning the Temple fight song, reading about some of the school's programs, and studying questions to ask college students.  Then the actual trip included a women's basketball game and visits from some of my nearest and dearest college friends, and even the executive vice president! Can you say "WIN"?!

5. Having a day off from teaching. Enough said.  I can go in at 7:15 instead of aiming for 6:30. If blogs used hash tags this one's would be #firstyearteacherproblems.

6. Letting your "you" side come out in your "teacher" side.  The day to day happenings of the typical school day don't generally allow for you to interact with your kids in a way that lets you get to know each other as people.  Sure, there are certain times here and there, but field trips allow for you to spend a day being yourself (in your teacher role, of course) and therefore let you get to know your kids even more.  Warning: You may pay a price for this, such as being on the receiving end of sarcasm, being told that you are like someone's mom, and/or having your arm suddenly linked with a 10-year-old's.  

I could probably go on and on about things I like about field trips (and many other aspects of this job, for that matter), but these were just a few things that stood out for now.  Needless to say, I'm looking forward to the last two trips of the year: another play (we've already seen Charlotte's Web after reading the book) and a trip to this cute little place known as Dorney Park.