Strategy 8: Connecting With Cultural Institutions

I chose to read about Strategy 8- Connecting With Cultural Institutions in 25 Strategies for K-8 Inquiry-Based Learning: Integrating Language Arts and Social Studies by Medler and Hunter.  I truly enjoyed this strategy due to the amount of information that directly applies the standards we use in first grade.  In the NCSCOS, many of the objectives are based around community and real life situations.  Melber and Hunter (2010) states, “field trips are a time honored and valuable part of the social studies curriculum as they help learners have relevant and real experiences relating to what they are studying in their classrooms” (p. 55).  Children need the opportunity to explore the world outside their classroom walls in order to see the purpose behind the community and community leaders they are studying in their classes.  I like the idea of children being able to explore freely while also having a fulfilling learning experience.  During field trips, teachers can provide students with questions (or scavenger hunt) to guide their experience and keep them focused on the reason for the field trip.  The K-2 modification section provides helpful ideas for guiding successful field trips.  Figure 8.1, “During My Visit…” Sample Data Sheet, is a useful tool that students can complete to show their understanding of what they saw, learned, and wonder about.  I hope to use this data sheet next year as a way to assess what my children have learned through field trips.  It is a fun way for my students to show me what they liked or learned while on the trip as well as a way for my to see just how much learning was accomplished.