My virtual field trips have quickly become one of my most popular resources. It is no wonder teachers and students want fun and safe ways to learn virtually. Now you can take your students to Disney, see how chocolate is made, or even visit Mexico City for Day of the Dead. Using these resources in your classroom is a perfect way to engage students and have some fun. Here are some great ways to incorporate virtual field trips into your schedule.
If you are fully remote, you can assign virtual field trips as a fun Friday reward. No worries, while your students are visiting the rainforest, exploring the ocean, or storm chasing, they are not only learning about the topic at hand, but reading, writing, and science, and technology are integrated into them as well.
Many teachers are using these resources as a behavior management reward. When students are working hard, they get extra technology time to go on a field trip of their choice!
Some of my virtual field trips are based on NGSS science standards. You can use these trips as a review of science standards when you are closing out the unit.
ESS2.D: Weather and Climate: Scientists record patterns of the weather across different times and areas so that they can make predictions about what kind of weather might happen next. (3-ESS2-1)
LS4.A: Evidence of Common Ancestry and Diversity.
Some kinds of plants and animals that once lived on Earth are no longer found anywhere. (Note: moved from K-2) (3-LS4-1)
Fossils provide evidence about the types of organisms that lived long ago and also about the nature of their environments. (3-LS4-1)
While these trips are designed for students to complete them independently, many teachers are using them for a whole class experience. Take time to explore and have conversations together!
These dynamic resources are very inquiry based and exploratory. This is naturally an excellent enrichment experience for students who love to explore ideas and topics independently. There are many opportunities for students to do even further exploration.
Check out this video for an inside look!
I hope these tips help you integrate these dynamic resources into your own classroom. You can check out all of my Virtual Field Trips here.
Send me a note or leave a comment and let me know if there are destinations you would like to see added!
We strive to create resources that empower teachers and transform student success. We create skill-focused resources that promote critical thinking, enhance student engagement, and incorporate diversity. Our goal is to develop the tools teachers need to reach their students and foster a lifetime of learning.