approach to engagement, schools, young learners

About 10 years ago a teacher in Michigan created a 4-5 day field trip for her 4th grade students.

Instead of going to school that week everyone went to the Museum of Michigan, a history museum in Lansing - the state's capital city. The students were given a room to keep their coats and lunch and writing materials.

Then day by day the lessons used the museum display as a "textbook" and the kids worked alone and in groups to find the information so they could tell the story for each period of history. Later this same teacher, Ms. Holtschlag, made a similar week-long lesson plan for a zoo; and another time for a Nature Center (outdoor learning environment).

 

If you have not considered hosting local teachers & students, it may give you a new way of thinking about growing a community of learners!