TEACHER TIPS FOR FIELD TRIPS

the person in this position plans, develops, coordinates, and presents environmental education and interpretive programs for schools, youth and adult groups, and the general public, develops related written, audiovisual and display materials, and performs related duties as required.

1. Plan and register for field trips during the naturalist's pre-scheduling time. Times will be posted in the teachers' newsletter.
2. Contact the naturalist at the Wapello County Conservation Board office at the Pioneer Ridge Nature Center (515)682-3091 Ext. 4 to set up a field trip planning meeting.
3. Meet with the naturalist to plan activities and to discuss naturalist and teacher responsibilities.
4. Reserve transportation.
5. Send out a note requesting adult helpers. Ideally one adult per 7 students. Adult helpers must understand that they are responsible for discipline.
6. Invite school administrators to attend a part, if not all of the field trip.
7. Contact local newspaper and TV stations and invite them to the field trip.
8. Locate material needed for the field trip. The naturalist will provide much of the equipment.
9. If you will be teaching a session, contact the naturalist for lesson plans, equipment needs or site orientation.
10. Visit the site if possible to familiarize yourself with the facilities and the resources and specific areas for activities.
11. Conduct related pre-trip activities in the classroom.
12. Discuss safety and conduct rules with students.

    A.� Discuss why the trip is being taken, and that they will be in an outdoor classroom which will be fun, but is not just a play day.

    B.� Discuss appropriate clothing: older, comfortable clothes that are OK to get dirty; long pants, tennis shoes, and socks. Be prepared for the weather: raincoats and boots if showers are threatening, layers of warm clothes for chilly days. (VERY IMPORTANT)

13. Divide students into groups and assign adult helpers or teachers to each group. It is preferable to work in groups of 15 students or less. Groups of 20 will be acceptable if needed.
14. Instruct students to bring a garbage bag from home. It will be used to sit upon if the ground is damp or used as a raincoat in case of rain. For winter trips, bread bags inside boots can help keep feet dry.
15. Make student name tags.
16. Contact the naturalist before the field trip if any special needs are required for any particular student. We may be able to provide a special activity for a handicapped/special needs student if we know ahead of time.
17. Put together a first-aid kit. Contact school nurse as a possible adult helper. (WCCB staff are trained in CPR and First Aid.)
18. Sack lunches are easiest and can be divided up into group boxes before the trip, making lunchtime more relaxed.
19. Trash is carry-in, carry-out. Bring along garbage bag(s).

1. Make sure transportation arrangements are understood by all parties.
2. The naturalist will meet the students at the site, not at the school, unless special arrangements are made prior to the field trip.
3. At the site, organize the students into their assigned groups.
4. Please make arrangements for specific needs for any handicapped/special needs students. It may be possible to have other activities or equipment available.
5. The teachers and helpers are expected to participate in the activities with the students.
6. The naturalist may break your group into smaller units. You will be in charge of some of these units.
7. You will be responsible for making your equipment arrangements for any activity you teach. The naturalist may be able to supply most equipment if notice is given prior to the field trip.

1. Field trip guides may establish their own "quiet" signal, but the universal sign is to raise the right hand. Inform students of the purpose of this signal.
2. Nothing is to be removed from the field trip area unless special permission is granted.
3. Plants are not picked unless the naturalist approves.
4. Nothing should be left at the field trip area; no papers, no name tags, no clothing. NO LITTERING ALLOWED.
5. Any wildlife encountered will be handled by the naturalist unless permission is granted. Chasing, distrubing, handling, etc. wildlife is absolutely prohibited.
6. Any hiking will be done with the naturalist or leader in front of the group. This will ensure proper pacing and enable everyone to see. There will be activity periods for letting out extra energy so that programs can be learning times.
7. Inappropriate conduct will not be tolerated. Students who act inappropriately will be dismissed.

1. You do not need to know everything about nature to be successful. It is more important to get the children looking closely. If someone wants to identify a specific animal or plant, etc. have the group investigate and identify it together.
2. The out-of-doors is a place for experiencing.
3. Establish group rules in the beginning to avoid problems while outdoors.
4. Make use of sensory experiences. Children should see, feel, smell and taste, as well as hear. All of these senses, judiciously employed, are possible and good, and make a contribution to total learning.
5. Emphasize a few basic concepts. One of the greatest temptations will be that of teaching too much. Too many concepts in a short time will only confuse students.
6. Stimulate students' power of observation. Look for opportunities to answer questions from children with another question or statement that will make them look more closely at the object. What a child discovers is always more important than what is pointed out.
7. Children learn best from your example, more than by statement. Therefore, watch your attitudes. They are the ones the children will pick up. For example: Your positive concern for the area will impress them with a need for taking care of it, thus you should pick up litter and "touch but don't take," Be willing to do anything you ask of the children, and if you can not hide your "hang ups" (fear of snakes, etc) at least admit them as "hang ups" instead of the "way to be."
8. Keep it active. Stops for exploration can be longer than stops to talk and listen but any stop can be overlong. Watch your group to determine how long a majority will stay in one place.
9. Lead children toward the "how" and "why" as well as the "what" of the situation being experienced. Relationships between things and the processes which relate to them should be stressed.
10. Ask the naturalist for resource material for teaching in the out-of-doors.
11. Don't forget to have fun!

Please provide appropriate first aid kits. Bandages are often in demand after encounters with prickly bushes and brambles. Some type of antiseptic, as well as, some clean bandaging material should be a minimum. Include some soap in case of contact with poison ivy. (Liquid soap works best.)

We will continue our program as planned, in spite of rain. Check the weather forecast the day before the trip. If rain is in the forecast, remind your students to bring rain gear with them.

If the field trip is to take place at the Pioneer Ridge Nature Area, and it should rain, activities can always be moved inside to the nature center, if plans were made by the teacher and naturalist. The naturalist can organize rainy day activities for small to medium sized groups.
If your school does not want to participate, please cancel by 8:30 a.m. by calling the Wapello County Conservation Board office at the Pioneer Ridge Nature Center (515)682-3091 ext. 4.

1. Dress in old clothes because you will be involved in outdoor activities which usually involves geeting dirty.
2. Long pants, tennis shoes, and socks are necessary to serve as protection from poison ivy, prickly bushes and insects. Other things to remember: Rain gear, large plastic garbage bags, old sneakers, NO bare feet allowed!, and bug repellent.
3. Spring, fall, winter, and even summer can be cool, so be prepared! It is always cooler at the park than in town. Bring jackets!

YOU CAN USE various products such as MultiShield applied prior to anticipated exposure or Tecnu Skin Cleanser to cleanse exposed skin. However, the best way to avoid the irritating rash is being able to identify poision ivy.
POISON IVY is a nuisance to people but compensates by having considerable wildlife value.