We have 7 (seven!) exciting field trips this year to support and expand our students' education. Field trips are a crucial part of the Rescue third grade curriculum as many of our writing and other assignments are dependent on them and all students are expected to attend each trip. Other in-school accommodations may be made, however, for students making poor behavioral choices in class or on previous trips.
Payment and Paperwork
Although we have received a generous grant from the American River Conservancy Innovations in Environmental Education this year, we must still rely on family donations to finance all our trips. We are asking for a total of $70 ($10/trip) per student. Most of our destinations require 30 day pre-payments, so please submit payments on time.
Families have several options to pay:
- One time payment of $70 (beginning of the year)
- 3 separate payments at the start of each trimester ($25, $25, $20)
- 7 payments of $10 to be paid 4 weeks before each trip;
Please consider including a few extra dollars for our student scholarship funds.
No student will be excluded from a field trip due to inability to pay; fees for each trip are suggested donations only.
Lunch/Snacks
All our trips are full days and students are given time for snacks and at least 25 minutes for lunch. Sack lunches are offered by our food services, but must be requested on the lunch order form at least one week in advance. Please do not include payment for lunches with the trip payment as funds must go to separate departments.
Chaperones
Volunteers are an essential part of our field trips, but MUST be fingerprinted and have a TB clearance (check with office for more information). Due to limited bus seating, chaperones typically are asked to use their own transportation and are encouraged to carpool with other parents.
Proposed Trips and Schedule:
At a glance:
September 13, 2017
September 20, 2017
October 12, 2017
First visit: October 19, 2017
Learning Goals:
Chestnuts vs. Walnuts- Students will use a Venn Diagram to observe the similarities and differences between these seasonal nuts grown on the ranch.
Farmer Wendy- will share some history of Smokey Ridge Ranch, what seasonal crops they grow, where they sell their products and a stroll through the chestnut grove.
Farmer Kirk- will share Native American History from the area and artifacts found there on the ranch.
Ecosystems- Introduction or review of food chains, habitats, and ecosystems. After, students will observe the surrounding area to identify the habitats and decide whether or not it can be defined as an ecosystem.
Sink or Float- Hypothesize and experiment with items to demonstrate that the size of the object does not determine whether the object sinks or floats. Vocabulary; density, buoyant, mass, matter
Stick Game- Students will play one of many versions of this Native American game of chance.
Second visit: February 27, 2018
Third visit: April 5, 2018
Trip Descriptions:
September 13, 2017
9:00 a.m.- 2:00 p.m.
Students will participate in a docent led "Take Art Apart" tour and a teacher/chaperone guided tour looking at and discussing art. Lunch will be at the nearby
Southside Park which features a solar system themed playground, duck pond, and space ship statuary.
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September 20, 2017
9:15 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Students will learn about the water cycle, conservation, hydroelectricity, Folsom Dam's history, purpose, and its impact on our region. As only our class will be on this trip, chaperones may ride the bus.
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October 12, 2017
9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Students will explore the diverse animals and regions represented at the zoo and learn how various animals "Survive and Thrive."
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First visit: October 19, 2017
Second visit: February 27, 2018
Third visit: April 5, 2018
We will be visiting Smokey Ridge Farm in Placerville 3 times (fall, winter, and spring) to learn about agriculture, plant life cycles, and consumers and producers.
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May 8, 2018
Typically 9:00 a.m. - 2:30 p.m.
Third grade students from all over El Dorado County spend the day learning about local agriculture, conservation of resources, and the economic relationship of producers and consumers.
