I have been wondering how to keep students safe as you walk outside to observe nature.
Safety in the outdoor world begins long before you leave the classroom. According to Teaching Kids Safety While Walking Outside, safety outside is taught in the classroom so the whole class has an understanding of what behaviors are to be expected when they leave the classroom. Students must know how to cross streets safely and how to stay near everyone else so nobody gets lost or left behind. This all leads back to classroom community and trust between the teacher and the class. Going to a nature preserve should not have to be a reward but for some classes it may have to be. Students need a reason to stay around and listen, so a well planned lesson for the outdoors can also be a safety factor. Another way to keep students safe is to have a parent help out. From what I have seen in the second grade classroom I'm in right now, parents are more than willing to help when it comes to their children.
The other safety feature I have witnessed from different schools is all teachers that leave the classroom with their students are required to carry a 2-way radio linked directly to the office. This allows immediate response to help in the field if it is necessary. The office can dispatch any help that may be needed. There is only one problem and I saw it first hand in grade school; some nature preserves go far enough away from school that the 2-way radios will not reach each other. In this case, as my teacher did, you have to do what you can until a student can go back and get help.
As teachers, when we leave the classroom we will all do our best to keep our students safe, but accidents do happen and we have to be prepared to handle them. The best way is through prevention and that starts in the classroom.
Nice website and tips Luke. We think it's obvious we know how children should act or follow procedures, but it isn't always the case; as we see in our own classrooms right now.
ReplyDeleteNot only would this be good to know for just science field trips outside, but field trips in general.
Having procedures in place for leaving the classroom are important. I agree that these procedures need to be part of your classroom management plan and accidents can happen. Safety and accidents alwo brings up the question of whether teachers should be required to know CPR and first aid. There are CPR classes being offered online at http://www.cprtoday.com/ but I would feel more comfortable receiving training in person. Good topic of safety once you leave the classroom - definitely something for teachers to think about and prepare for.
ReplyDeleteIt wouldn't be a bad idea to incorporate a crash course on Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) training before heading out into the field. In the environmental science industry all field workers must undergo Hazardous Waste Operator and Emergency Response training yearly. Since all work environmnents in the United States are regulated by OSHA, all students can benefit from being exposed to the laws and regulations. I belive that Field Safety Training is a great idea for students!
ReplyDeleteI liked that you focused on the safety factor with regards to taking students on field trips outdoors. Like Rebecca said, it may seem obvious that students should just know what to do, but when they are placed in those situations things change. It is really important when you are working with younger grades, you need to constantly go over safety so that it gets drilled into their heads. Practicing in the classroom I think is a great idea! I have never seen teachers use the 2 way radio like your teachers have, so that is excellent. I never even thought about that. I wonder if now you could use cell phones? I know you aren't supposed to have them on you during the school day, but I wonder if field trips could be an exception? That is something to look into.
ReplyDeleteLuke,
ReplyDeleteWhen it comes to safety with children one can never be to cautious. It is important to go over the rules and safety tips before taking the children anywhere. Sometimes especially for younger kids it is necessary to practice them first. I am glad you mentioned the 2 way radio as a way of communication for the office and teacher by the preserve. I have used this idea before in a childcare center I worked at. We would take the children for a walk but always have to have a two way radio with us just in case something happen. I really enjoyed reading your safety ideas you found some great information.