*By the way, I feel that if someone is willing to take time for allowing us to come in on them in their place of business, I don't have a right to say what I would like them to do with the children -- unless I'm asked, in which case, I like to have suggestions ready to share.
What can
children do at the post office?
*Watch someone sort
the mail
*Buy a stamp for
a letter they have brought for mailing. Where does the stamp go on the letter?
*Mail a letter
*Watch
a mail truck getting loaded with mail
MAKE
HEAD COUNTING A HABIT!!!!!!
Another field trip option is to find out what time your local mail carrier
comes to pick up the mail from one of those large outdoor U.S. mailboxes. Then
take your class to that box and let them watch the carrier open the box and take
out the mail.
Thought question: Would you like
to be a mail carrier? Why? Why not?
Pet Shop (Or Visit the Humane Society or an Animal Hospital)
*Suggestions for what the children
can do or be shown while there:
Hold an animal, feed an animal, help change
an animal's cage, listen to the heart of an animal being examined by a vet
*Discussion
topics that can be covered:
-How do we care for various pets?
-What
do various pets eat?
-Do pets have feelings (happy, scared, sad, etc)?
-Do pets see and hear like people do?
-How do pets talk?
Thought
question: Would you like to grow up and have a pet shop, or become a veterinarian?
Why? Why not?
MAKE
HEAD COUNTING A HABIT!!!!!!
Visit From Dentist
For me in the past, this field trip has usually consisted of a dental hygienist
coming to the school as an in-house trip and that's great, but I've always wished
that the children could be taken to the dental office and shown around by the
dentist himself. Maybe you can be lucky and get this kind of field trip. If
so, I'd love to hear about how you did it. In the meantime, here are a few
things we can suggest be covered (if asked).
*Introduction
to the dentist, his assistants, the waiting room
*Sit
in "the chair" and maybe even have the "dental napkin" put
around the children's necks
*Be introduced to the x-ray
machine and x-rays (What do x-rays tell the dentist?)
*Be
introduced to a couple dental instruments (that tiny little round mirror, for
example)
*Discussion topics: What is plaque? What
are cavities? What foods are good (and bad) for our teeth?
*Demonstrate the proper way to brush our teeth
Thought
question: Would you like to be a dentist? Why? Why not?
MAKE
HEAD COUNTING A HABIT!!!!!!
Hey, let's compare notes 
.
Do you have favorite February field trips or other notes of interest to
share? Just e-mail me.
From
Jennifer Bartos, Creative Wonders Preschool:
Trip to the Dentist: Stormie~I have gotten lots of great ideas from you
so I thought I would share one of my experiences: We took a field trip to one
of the dentist's offices in our small town. The dentist himself took time
out of his day to show the children what a trip to visit the dentist would be
like. He showed them how he puts on gloves (so to not spread germs) and
a mask (so not to breathe on them and spread germs). He showed them dental
instruments and how he counts and checks each tooth to make sure it looks healthy.
(He first did this on his dental assistant and then asked for a "brave"
volunteer from the group.) He showed them how they take x-rays of the teeth
and the heavy "blanket" they lay over you when the pictures are taken.
He asked questions like, "Why do we brush our teeth?" "What
are some ways to keep your teeth looking good and healthy?" He ended
the visit by giving each child a "ride" in the dentist chair. He
also gave out toothbrushes, toothpaste, literature on dental sealants, and stickers.
The children were so excited and were expressing how they couldn't wait
'till they could go back to have their teeth checked like the brave volunteer.
They also couldn't wait to brush their teeth. It was such a positive
experience -- even the children who were a little hesitant about going to the
dentist were excited. It definitely provided positive motivation for healthy
teeth!
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Reminder
from Stormie: If you would like to begin collecting ALL my current classroom
ideas (each on a 4 x 6" index card), as well as new ones that I create, you
can do so by ordering my "Activity Cards." Click here
to check them out.
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