Ideas for Study Trips - Palm Elementary School

Ideas for Study TripsGetting the students out into the community is a big part of life skills. Study trips can be fun andeducational. There is also a big focus on community based instruction. You can combinecommunity based instruction into the study trip.All life skills classes, regardless of the level of the student, are expected to teachacademics. Study trips are a great way to incorporate academics and reinforce anysubjects you’ve been teaching.Some Locations for Study Trips:Art in the Park- This is a life skills festive that is generally held in late April or early May.You should receive an invitation school mail. If not, ask one of your adaptive specialareas teachers.Special Area Fun Day - This is another activity for the life skills classes that is hosted bythe adapted special areas teachers. All life skills students may go, even if they participatein inclusion specials. This is also held in the spring, usually in May. your adapted specialareas teachers will speak with you about it.Austin Nature Center-This can coincide with a unit on nature, plants, etc.Zilker Botanical Gardens-This can also coincide with an academic unit on nature andplants.Bob Bullock Museum/IMAX- Include the museum in a Texas History Unit and the IMAXmovies may coincide with a unit that your class is studying. For example, go see theCoral Reef IMAX if your class is studying Australia and the Barrier Reef.Symphony- Most Schools take a grade level to the symphony at some point during theyear. Check with the music teacher at your school at the beginning of the year(they ordertickets early) about your kids going along.State Capitol-Guided tours are provided and these would fit in perfectly with a unit(s) onTexas History or Government.

Boggy Creek Farm-This old farmhouse and surrounding organic gardens could addressa number of units of study: Austin History, nature, plants, etc.French Legation- A perfect example of some of Austin's earliest architecture. This wouldalso compliment a unit of study on Austin's history.State Cemetery- Local and state history can be covered by a trip to this site.Elisabeth Ney Museum- This historic site contains works by the early 20th centuryartists. Units of study could revolve around local history, art, state history andarchitecture.University of Texas Museum- contains a variety of exhibits that could addressscience, history, etc.Zilker Park/Town Lake- a perfect setting for studying nature.Paramount Theater - Throughout the year different performances are held that would fitin quite well with units of study on Literature, Drama and so forth.Austin Public Library - Various branches are located throughout Austin. Students canfind resources which they will be able to locate in their local branches.Restaurants - In this environment students can put into action appropriate social skills.Or if they need to learn them, these are ideal locations for teachers to assess deficits thatmight not be quite as obvious in school settings. These settings will also enable thestudent to demonstrate greater independence in communication, reading, money skills,etc.McKinney Falls State Park - Exploring nature, history and geology are just a few of theareas that could bestudied on a trip out to this Austin based treasure. The park is openyear round.Austin Children's Museum - This is a perfect site for elementary school aged children.Themes are ongoing and changing throughout the year.