Field Trips in September - Updated!

Getting out into the community is part of what makes Summers-Knoll a “place-based” school. We know that field trips are not simply fun experiences for the children, but actually ways to expand their learning and increase their knowledge of specific subjects. Children remember what they’ve experienced on a field trip long after it happened – much longer than if they just read about a fact in a book, or completed a worksheet. We also practice being part of the "real world", as we interact with all sorts of people, doing all sorts of things. We are polite and responsible. 

Field trips also allow for children to work and play with other children. Many times, the two first/second grade classrooms take trips together. This month is no exception – in fact, all three field trips in September will give us a chance to work with Grace’s class. Friends can connect and share experiences, even though they are in different homerooms.

On Thursday, September 7^th, both first and second grade classes will head to Jo-Ann Fabrics to choose and purchase materials for a sewing project. We will then make cozy pillows to use during Quiet Reading. 

On Friday, September 15^th, we will go raspberry picking at Sweet Acres Farm. Fall berries are always such a treat! This has been changed from our original plan, and will happen at the end of the day. The children will get to take their berries home to enjoy there.

On Wednesday, September 20th, we will head out to the Ann Arbor Farmers Market. This will be first thing in the morning (9:00 – 10:30).  Update: Jay, Jessica, Sylwia, and Sheryl have volunteered to chaperone on this trip - thank you! We do not need any more parents from our classroom.

Some trips are taken seasonally, or have become a beloved tradition, like the ones above.(Howell Nature Center, coming soon, is another example.) Others are chosen to take advantage of something that works well with a theme, unit of study, or a particular interest or passion a student has. Teachers pay very careful attention to trip selection, meticulously prepare to make sure it goes as smoothly as possible, and do appropriate follow-up with the children. We want to make sure that the children get something useful out of the trip. 

I am pleased to announce that our classroom will be responsible for the Friday Morning Meeting on September 22nd, as we talk to the entire school about the field trips we’ve taken this month, what we learned, and why we think field trips are an important part of school.