Experience

Strategies

Here are a few strategies to help engage the teachers during the trip:

• Direct teachers to write journal entries (online or offline) each day or after each site visit. Provide time for writing within the day.
• Ask teachers to create a teaching activity around a specific artifact or document and share it before leaving. See if an image or reproduction is available to bring home.
• Invite the group to consider how people “read” an exhibit, a memorial, or an object.
• If possible, instruct teachers to take pictures of what they find interesting and share with the group or with a partner.
• Ask teachers to consider how the museum or historical site tells a story or constructs meaning. Have them consider what is included and what is excluded. How would they have designed an exhibit or organized a collection?
• Regroup at the end of the day and ask, "What was one thing that you found interesting?," "What surprised you today?," "What are one or two things that you learned today that are directly relevant to the content that you teach?," or "What is one action that you will take in your teaching to incorporate some of what you learned?" Find out what questions the teachers have related to their visit.
• For self-guided groups, distribute a worksheet or set of questions to guide teachers in their examination of the exhibit or site. Some sites offer brochures or cell phone tours for self-guided groups.
• Build-in time for teachers to revisit one favorite place.