Wondering how to replace the learning, experience, and just plain fun of community-based instruction CBI and field trips this year? You may be teaching virtually, in-person, or a mix of the two. No matter what your teaching model this year, chances are your options for student trips are limited. Very limited.
I have good news.
Just because your students can’t leave the classroom, that doesn’t mean they have to miss out on the learning or the fun. Much like just about everything else this year, it simply takes creativity and flexibility.
In today’s post, I’m going to talk to you about ways you can expose your students to other environments and activities… without leaving the classroom! We’re talking I’ll also share some resources with you that will make planning these trips – and the learning that goes with them – easy for you.
Are virtual trips really a good substitute?
By going on trips as a class virtually, your students can explore faraway worlds like outer space one week and visit attractions closer to home the next. They can learn about the inner workings of businesses like those found in your city or town.
And with careful planning – and a few great resources – your trips will allow you to hit standards, reinforce life skills, and engage your students in some seriously valuable cross-curricular instruction.
Want to know more? Keep reading.
What kind of virtual CBI and field trips are available?
You may be thinking that going on virtual trips sounds interesting and like something your students would benefit from. But… what kinds of trips are available? Where do you find the information? And if budgets are a concern, you’re probably wondering if there any free trips you can take.
Your first step is to do some brainstorming/research and make a list. Open up a Google doc and just start listing ideas. Look through your units and make note of any ideas that come to mind that would tie in with standards or topics you’re already covering. If you have a unit on ocean science planned, a virtual trip to an aquarium would be a terrific tie in – and a lot of fun. Learning about the solar system or phases of the moon – take a virtual trip to the planetarium.
You’ll also want to think about the life skills you want to cover and students’ IEP goals. A virtual CBI trip to the library or to a bank can expose students to what it’s like to interact with these businesses and what happens behind the scenes.
Before you “leave” for your virtual cbi or field trip
To prepare your students for the experience and to maximize the learning, it’s best to spend some time getting ready to go on the trip.
Build background knowledge and go over any unfamiliar vocabulary students are likely to encounter. This will allow students to feel confident and to know what to expect – and what may be expected of them.
Activate prior knowledge by talking about what students already know about the location or any stories you’ve read in class that take place in a similar location. Some students will have experiences that are related to the trip you’re going to take. For example, many students will have visited an aquarium. Talking about what that experience was like and how visiting an aquarium virtually might be different will prepare them and get them excited about what is to come.
During the trip
Being in the comfort of your own environment means your trip can be a bit less structured and formal than it may otherwise have been. Take advantage of this informality and have students discuss what they’re seeing. Ask students to go deeper and explain what they see and how it fits in with the lessons or units you are connecting to.
Extension activities and assessment
The fun doesn’t have to end with the trip is over.
Moveover- Spend part – or the rest of – the day on extension activities related to your trip. If you took a trip to a restaurant, your math lesson can involve having a budget and choosing menu items that stay within that budget. A trip to a museum can easily extend into an art lesson based on a style of painting seen or a particular artist’s work.
Next, these trips are a great opportunity for data collection. Ask students to recall facts about the trip in the form of either a formal assessment or information rubric. Encourage students to describe what they saw. Also, how it made them feel or what else it made them wonder or think about.
The first time you take a virtual Community based instruction CBI or field trip, it will be unfamiliar to your students and they’ll need to learn the ropes. As you take more, they’ll become more familiar and will be more willing and able to engage. Have fun with it – and with them!
Virtual CBI and field trip resources
I wanted to provide you with some ready-to-go virtual CBI resources. I have created some brand new products, taking virtual Community based instruction CBI and field trips to places including:
- Grocery store
- Laundromat
- Restaurant buffet
- Bus station
Each resource contains all you need to plan, participate in, and assess students for each trip. There are questions to ask your students, vocabulary specific to the location you’ll be visiting, and active, hands-on activities for students to participate in no matter what their ability level.
Check out virtual CBI and field trip resources
here in my store. I have one FREE trip for you to try as well as a bundle full of great trips and activities.
Finally, let me know in the comments what Community based instruction cbi trip you’re most excited about. And after you and your students take one, tag me on social media and let me know how it went!
Want to Try It Before you Buy it, check out the Free Digital Exceptional Notebook to see if it is something you’d enjoy using.
Did you know, there is a weekly podcast for special education teachers full of actionable takeaways. The show provides trending teaching strategies and interviews from effective special ed teachers across the country. Make sure to check out Be The Exception podcast and subscribe to it on Apple and Spotify
Want to know what tool I use with my planner? Check my Amazon Storefront with them listed out there.
