Why Field Trips? The Positive Effects on Learning

For teachers, one of the best tools in solidifying concepts and tying together classroom learning is through real-world experiences such as field trips. Whether it be a local trip to the beach, the aquarium, the post office, or a retirement home, each of these experiences contributes to students’ understanding of the world.

By stepping outside of the classroom, we provide students an opportunity to see connections between what is happening at school and in the real world. They begin to take what they have learned in the classroom and apply it to the situations around them.

There has been new research published in The Journal of Human Resources that finds the positive social and academic impact field trips have on children. In the study, more than 1,000 fourth and fifth grade students were put into two groups. One group participated in 3 to 6 “culturally-enriching” field trips, such as a visit to an art museum or play, while the other group remained in class. The study found that the kids in the field trip group scored higher on end of grade exams, received higher class grades, and exhibited fewer disciplinary behaviors compared to those in the other group.

Here at The Willows, we embrace field trips and view them as a supplement to learning. As a community of dedicated life-long learners, we believe that to enrich the lives of our students we need to extend our borders beyond our campus and embrace the world. We need to build bridges by seeking ways for our students to explore and engage with our neighbors and those globally, and one engaging and authentic way to do that is through field trips.

Our Director of Teaching and Learning Terri Baird said, “Field trips are one of the best ways for students to make meaning and see connections between the classroom and the world. Learning outside, through experience, helps put the “do” in Dewey.”

Here are just some of the Willows’ field trips:

• Middle School Community Service-Learning Trip to Peru
• Middle School Community Service-Learning Trip to Nicaragua
• 7^th grade overnight to Memphis
• 8^th grade overnight to D.C.
• 5^th grade overnight to Boston
• 4^th grade overnight to AstroCamp
• 3^rd grade overnight to Hilltop
• 2^nd grade overnight trip to Long Beach Aquarium
• Olvera Street
• The California Science Center
• Leo Carrillo Tide Pools
• LA Zoo
• Local Fire Station
• Local Post Office
• Local Farmer’s Market

These field trips engage students in variety of ways and create touchpoints for students and teachers to reflect on in the classroom. While many of the students’ worlds revolve around Los Angeles, branching out into the community or even internationally provides an opportunity for our students to access different learning experiences that cannot be replicated in the classroom or on the Internet. It’s our responsibility to bring rich, multisensory, and engaging experiences for our students in a holistic and progressive approach.