Intuitively, you’ve probably known it all along.
- The people in your school history books had one thing in common–they were all dead, right? We had no real connection to them, so they weren’t very important to us. But once you hike to a rock shelter where some nameless tribesman left his handprint in red paint, a feeling sweeps over you that seems to say, “I was here. Remember!”
- Can you remember one word of any lecture you ever heard in a history class? Probably not, but didn’t you love the all-too-rare trips your class took? Maybe you visited a historic homes in your town and noticed that they didn’t have indoor plumbing. Or maybe you got to wander through an old fort or mission, imagining the days when it was full of horses and pioneers.
- I remember the pictures in my textbooks as black and white and shades of gray, but when my family attended a play where scenes from history were reenacted, those stories came alive!
If you’re like me, most of the education you received in school was PASSIVE–which is possibly why I had the vague notion sometimes that education was something being forced upon me. My presence was required as well as my cooperation in reading textbooks, listening to lectures, and studying for tests. But studies prove that we remember–
- only 10% of what we read
- 20% of what we hear
- 30% of what we see (pictures and other visual images)
- and just 50% of what we see hear presented in a passive manner. (a movie, exhibit, or demonstration)
However, when learning is ACTIVE–when we–
- participate in a discussion
- tell others what we’ve learned
- participate in a dramatic presentation
- simulate a real experience, or
- do “the real thing”
retention jumps to 70%-90%!
Field trips provide an opportunity to connect with the people who made history–to walk where they walked, to experience a bit of their life, and to gain an appreciation for their goals and challenges. We participate in their drama, and we talk about what we’ve learned with others who are also excited.
That’s why, through Discover Texas, we strive to make it easier to find and organize field trips that fit your family’s interests. Blog posts represent only a few of the field trip ideas listed in the Teacher Tips section of each volume. No one family could do them all–at least it’s unlikely that you could see it all in one year–but I’d encourage you to plan at least some.
Some–but not all–of the field trips I write about may be closed off and on due to COVID concerns, but there’s plenty of time over the summer, and I guarantee there are interesting historical sites near you that are still open. Think how much more enjoyable this year will be if your students are excited and engaged in their study of Texas history!
To get you started, I’ve made our Family Field Trip Guide available in pdf format so you can save it for easy reference. You’re welcome! 🙂
And if you’d like to check out our unique way of learning and actually enjoying Texas History, here’s a coupon to get you started.
