A museum field trip gives the kids an opportunity to see artifacts related to classroom study. The extension of classroom learning provides a hands-on approach to reinforcing the concepts you teach. Some students gain a better understanding of the classroom material after visiting the museum. The break from the usual routine refreshes the students and may help them focus when they return to the classroom.
When choosing a museum destination, consider the content you teach in the classroom. Choose a museum that houses artifacts related to these topics. Lay out your schedule for the field trip ahead of time to ensure you cover all areas of the museum that you're interested in.
A school field trip needs a relevant connection to the classroom for it to be worth the time and effort. Activities that connect classroom topics to the museum before you go on the field trip help the kids relate to what they see on the trip. Discuss the location with the kids, showing pictures if they are available. Talk about the types of artifacts at the museum to get the kids thinking of questions. A review of conduct expectations and disciplinary action is another way to prepare the kids.
Most museums offer guided tours for school field trips. After the tour, a scavenger hunt gives the kids a chance to explore further and see specific displays that you want them to visit. Another option is to have the kids bring notebooks or journals to record information at the museum. Ideas for the journal include writing interesting facts they learn and sketching pictures of what they see.
The learning doesn't stop once you exit the museum doors. Follow-up activities when you return to the classroom extend the experience and help the kids process what they saw. A group discussion about the displays and artifacts kicks off the post-field trip activities. A written evaluation of the trip is an individual form of assessment. If you take photos at the museum, use them to create a bulletin board display or a class book to document the trip.
A schedule for the field trip with some flexibility within it keeps the excursion on track. Pack a first aid kit and a list of students and their emergency contacts in case something happens on the trip. Enlist the help of parent volunteers to help supervise the trip. Many museums customize the tour based on your preferences and intended educational purpose. Call a few days before the trip to confirm the details. If the students are old enough, save some time at the end for the kids to explore the museum in small groups. This gives them more ownership in the process.