This study examined the experiences of elementary education teacher candidates in a servicelearning literacy methods course in which they were placed in two public school settings-- one urban elementary school and one urban laboratory school. This was teacher candidates initial field experience in elementary classrooms. Teacher candidates explored…

This study, undertaken in a predominantly monolingual area of England, examines pre-service teachers' (N = 293) suggestions of how they could reflect linguistic diversity in primary classrooms (ages 4-11). Trialling a mixed method approach where open-text data are "quanticised," a combination of content analysis and statistical analysis…

This article summarizes findings from the author's study of the characteristics and use of high-quality materials designed to support classroom instruction of elementary-aged children before, during, and after field trips. It also expands on the implications of this research for classroom teachers' effective use of field trip support materials.

Describes program developed under Ford Foundation grant. (RT)

Holds that field trips outside the school, or having an expert in a particular occupation come in to talk to a class, can greatly enrich children's learning experience. Suggests appropriate trips and resource people for different age groups. (CJM)

This orienteering manual is used to teach map and compass skills to elementary school students on an overnight outdoor experience administered by volunteers. Although the experience is aimed at elementary students, student teachers have the opportunity to participate as instructors. After a few words to the volunteers on maximizing learning among…

Fifty five community resources in and around the Boston area are listed in this field-study guide intended for teachers of primary and intermediate grades. Criteria as to the significance, concept development, structure, and feasibility of the use of resources as field study laboratories is given to make the study more relevant. The guide offers…

The author uses a visit to a medieval site by elementary school students as an example of how to approach field trips for development of historical techniques. (DE)

Describes gardening activities teachers can use to promote cognitive and social growth in their students. A garden may serve as a natural laboratory where students may develop a caring ethic and observe the connection between production and consumption. Provides suggestions for adapting the gardening activity to any grade level. (LS)

This article describes an archeological dig planned for and executed by a class of 10 and 11-year-old children. The structuring of other subjects around the dig, and follow up activities are reviewed. (SB)

Described are activities involving interpreting tracks in snow to determine under what conditions the tracks were made and what made the tracks. (SL)

Four elementary teachers present several suggestions for exciting end-of-the-school-year learning activities. Ideas include making math a field day, enjoying an imagination celebration, broadcasting a book fair, planning a turn-of-the-century picnic, celebrating school history, and participating in a moving up day. (SM)

Describes classroom activities and field experiences organized around evidence of seasons, daily changes, and time-dependent processes. (WRM)

Offers pointers to keep in mind while planning an outdoor adventure. These include establishing clear behavioral expectations, having specific assignments for students to complete that focus their attention, being flexible in natural settings, communicating strategically, carrying props, and planning ahead. Includes a checklist for logistical…

The key to a successful field trip is planning. This publication, designed to provide guidelines for elementary school teachers, outlines the step-by-step experience of a participatory visit to Montpelier, the home of James Madison. A prefatory article by constitutional authority A. E. Dick Howard, called "James Madison and the…