 | |
|
When I first visited the museum and witnessed how incredibly "cool" it is, I couldn't help but think how much my students could learn from the exhibits or just have fun seeing the installations. Of course, schools go there all the time so I wanted my kids to have the opportunity also.
Then, after watching "Night at the Museum" with my class they were ten times more interested in the history behind the parts of the museum that the film showcased. I created lessons based around those facts and actually used the movie as an investment tool.
I was the only teacher doing any sort of teaching related to the trip so I really felt great about what I was doing for my students.
Here is a brief run down of what I envisioned for the trip:
- Students: "We're so excited! This is going to be great!"
- Just my class gets to go so we feel privileged and special.
- We arrive at the museum and everyone oohs and ahhs at the beautiful Central Park scenery and large museum.
- The information comes to life and my students are actually seeing what they learned about.
- The children are impressed by everything else at the museum.
- We have so much fun.
- Lots of controlled laughing.
- "This was the best! We'll always remember this trip!"
 |
| The Blue Whale displayed in the Hall of Ocean Life American Museum of Natural History, NYC |
Here is a brief run down of what actually happened on the trip:
- Students: "Do we have to go on the trip? Can we stay home instead?"
- The entire 6th and 7th grade go on the trip with a caravan of about 6 busses and 20 teachers barking orders at rowdy kids. Chaos begins.
- The bus driver is crazy and swerves everywhere. Combine this with heat and my students feel woozy. They pout.
- We get stuck in traffic in the Lincoln Tunnel. My student gets sick and the bus driver yells at us because she threw up on the floor.
- We have to wait in line for half an hour in the heat to get into the museum. My student still has throw up all over her (and me). Another student realizes he left his wallet on the bus. The bus is now gone.
- Once inside, we only have 15 minutes until we have to report to the lunch room. It's incredibly crowded with other visiting schools. Students are begging to go to the gift shop. I say no. They pout.
- I separate my class from the group and we have a brief moment of bliss near the blue whale exhibit.
- We get to the lunch room and students aren't allowed to buy lunch after we told them they could. No one eats. They pout.
- Now we only have an hour before getting back to the bus. Another brief moment of bliss with the dinosaurs.
- Students won't stop asking about the gift shop. I say no. We get lost trying to find the stairs.
- We finally end at the gift shop. One of my students gets caught trying to steal.
- We return to the bus, sweat once more, and get back to school with an hour of time still left. They pout.
- Students: "That was aggravating. You shouldn't do that field trip next year."
I think I'm calling a mulligan. Not to push around blame but there were so many factors that contributed to the craziness of this day that were out of my control. There are numerous changes I would make or perhaps I'll just take small groups of students one at a time to visit on our own terms.
Regardless, there were bright spots and now I have a realistic view of what logistics and details need to go into a trip like this. Perhaps one day it will live up to what I envision but I'm glad at least one of my classes had the opportunity to go!
 |
| Students looking thoroughly excited in front of the fossils "Can we go to the gift shop yet?" |
At least you had a couple moments of bliss!!
ReplyDelete