Field Trips Enrich the Curriculum

In the past two weeks, we have gone on two field trips connected to our science curriculum.  While learning occurs in the classroom through many resources, there’s nothing like an excursion to meet the experts and explore, observe, and discover! During our trip to the Waikiki Aquarium, the children met in a large classroom to watch a slide show about animal adaptations featuring the ocean and coastal tidal communities here in Hawaii before breaking up into smaller groups to view many of the animals on display and note their various adaptations. The docents were well-informed and were very complimentary of our children. I was so proud of them. Their manners and level of preparation were evident. As the staff leader said, “Wow! I can tell you have really been studying!" The best part of all occurred after we left the Aquarium, however. Just about 100 meters down on the beach were two Hawaiian monk seals sleeping peacefully. We quickly walked over, and as good scientists do, we observed with all our senses. What a wonderful way to end the field trip!

Yesterday we went to the Honolulu Zoo for a guided tour all about mammals and their adaptations. The children were such good listeners, and their comments and questions were thoughtful. Even the chaperones and teachers learned something new on our excursion. Did you know that a giraffe’s tongue is as long as your arm? And do you know what color it is? Black, to keep it from getting sunburned! Our guide was great with the children and kept their attention so well. Again, as we left, he told me how impressed he was with the kids and their behavior. And this was after starting the day bright and early with flu shots!

Next week we will have two visitors. The Dolphin Institute is coming for a presentation on Tuesday, and the Academy of Arts is coming on Friday afternoon as part of their Ambassador Program. The theme is Animals in Art. Animals have been depicted in art throughout history, and the ambassador will share a variety of examples from the Academy’s collection.  Then the following week, we will take a guided tour at the Academy to see more animals in art. The week after that, the ambassador will return to do an animal art activity with the class.

Thanks to all the parents who have helped to chaperone our excursions or come into the classroom to help the children with their research. We are having so much fun learning about animals.

Posted on October 18, 2007 1:32 PM | Permalink