Informal Learning and Field Trips: Engaging Students in Standards-Based Experiences Across the K-5 Curriculum

"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.

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.