In House Field Trips

Works4Me presents weekly practical classroom tips from real experts -- your colleagues!

1. Youngsters' Office Trips

From Diane Postman, an ECSE teacher at Abingdon Elementary School in Hayes, Virginia:

"I teach preschoolers with disabilities and have also taught kindergarten. I have taken in-school field trips to the office. We observe what the office staff does and the equipment they have. I have my assistant stay in the classroom, and we call her over the PA system. The kids love the PA system, and calling my assistant helps the kids understand where the voice in the box is coming from when they hear announcements. I also let each child use the copying machine. After the trip we set up our own office in the classroom complete with clipboards, an electric typewriter, computer keyboards, phones, envelopes and stamps.

"We also visit the clinic. We do this visit early in the year before anyone needs to go. The trip helps alleviate some of the fears they have about being taken to see the nurse. She weighs and measures them, lets them try her stethoscope, lets them look in each others' ears, and shows them things like Band-aids and ice packs."
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2. Math is Everywhere

From T'Chris, a middle school math teacher:

"I teach grid coordinates by mapping the school using tiles on the floor. The tiles in the ceiling can be used if there is carpeting in the classroom. It is great fun finding out where the doors are, where the bathrooms are, and where the furniture is in the classroom. This mapping lends very nicely to talking about the third dimension because my desk contains several objects the students want to map but can't because they aren't on the floor. We also have a big drainage ditch in the corner of our yard. After suitable safety instruction, we measure volume and calculate how many cement bags would be needed to build the site. There are lots of things to measure around school. I love our chances to go away from the classroom in order to show that math is everywhere."
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3. Question of the Week: Demanding or Angry Parents

From the NEA Today writers:

"How do you deal with demanding or angry parents? An upcoming NEA Today article will feature practical strategies that educators can share with each other. Please include at least one example of a time you have used your strategy, and please include your email, school name and the city in which you work."
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4. Afraid to Graduate?

Heard Last Week in the Works4Me Lounge:

"To those of you who teach high school seniors: Have you ever had a student who was afraid to graduate? I've known several in my years in the classroom. They experience the opposite of senioritis. They start doing poorly in class, avoiding school, and generally trying to keep the inevitable from occurring. In short, they self-destruct. How do you deal with these students? Our guidance counselor and I have been trying to see what makes these kids tick and find ways to help them to prepare for life after high school. Any suggestions?"
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