Guides in Training

​During a staff meeting, I shared out some of the challenges I perceived during the implementation of virtual field trips in a lesson.  To paint the classroom picture, students participated in three rotations. Two rotations included an independent activity. One of the rotations was a virtual field trip with the teacher as a guide. The first day I implemented this rotation schedule it was crazy. Good Crazy. Students on the field trip shouted, "Wow, the pyramid is huge. " The students on the virtual field trip made sounds of excitement. While the other students in their other rotations were constantly looking over. I could see the curiosity take over the whole group.  The students left the classroom talking about the field trip to the Pyramids of Giza. 
​My biggest challenge so far has been classroom management. Teachers at the staff meeting encourage me to prepare other guides. I quickly begin scouting guides in each sixth grade class. I had over 15 guides apply in the first day! To my excitement the guides were eager to learn and take students on field trips. I worked with the guides as they practiced setting up viewers  to guiding a virtual field trip. Guides in learning had to pass a final test to be selected. In sixth grade we have at least 3 Spanish guides and 8 English guides. So far our guides have been working with sixth grade and kinder. We are hoping to get them into more classrooms!

Activity: 
Students conference with teacher to propose field trips that would supplement curriculum. For example, a kinder teacher request a google expedition on animals. Sixth grade guides downloaded and prepared oral guide script for kinder classroom for a field trip to the San Diego Zoo and Great Barrier Reef. Sixth grade guides go in pairs to conduct field trip. 
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Materials:
Ipods
Mattel Viewer
Google Expeditions App IOS
Wifi
Chargers

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