Teacher’s Brain

Why You Should Take a Virtual Field Trip To The Zoo With Your Students

Thinking about making a trip to the zoo with your students? Zoo field trips are an elementary school classic. Don’t we all remember going on one at some point in our childhood? 

It’s now one of my favorite things to do with students because It’s an experience that combines fun, hands-on learning, and a chance for our little ones to connect with nature and wildlife.

Why should you take a field trip to the zoo? 

There are so many reasons! First and foremost, a trip to the zoo offers a unique opportunity for our students to observe animals up close and personal. Seeing these creatures in their natural habitats helps them develop a deeper understanding and appreciation for the diversity of the animal kingdom. 

It sparks their curiosity and allows them to make real-world connections with the concepts we’ve been teaching in the classroom, like animal classification, habitats, and adaptations. 

What are some other benefits?

Additionally, a trip to the zoo supports the development of observation and critical thinking skills. Encouraging our students to carefully observe and compare different animal behaviors, physical characteristics, and habitats helps them develop their powers of observation and critical thinking. 

They can make predictions, draw conclusions, and discuss their findings, strengthening their scientific inquiry skills- score!

Finally, let’s not forget the joy and excitement that a zoo visit brings to our students. It’s an experience that they’ll remember for years to come.

The sheer awe and wonder they experience while watching a giraffe or a monkey in action can inspire a lifelong love for animals and conservation.

Ready to take a field trip to the zoo but can’t make it happen? Try a virtual field trip to the zoo! 

Virtual field trips are an amazing way to enhance a student’s learning right from the safety of your four walls. I have the perfect virtual field trip to the zoo resource for you! 

This Virtual Field Trip to the Zoo Google Slides resource is all you need to create a magical zoo experience with your students. 

virtual field trip to the zoo

Use these interactive, editable Google Slides to easily have students copy and paste movable parts, learn about zoo animals, facts, what to bring on a trip and so much more! 

virtual field trip to the zoo

Here’s what’s included: 

28 Google Slides with Titles, Edit Text Boxes, Directions, Movable Parts 

  • KWL Chart
  • Packing A Suitcase for the Trip
  • 1 Minute Take Off Flight Video
  • 10-minute Zoo Field Trip Video (Car Ride to the Zoo, Animal Facts)
  • Sequencing Events, 3 Writing Prompts, Counting Objects (under 10), Labeling Parts, Zoo Counting Song, and Comprehension Questions
  • One extra slide for you to add anything you would like to the lesson. (videos or an assignment)
  • Home Connection Optional Assignment for students to build an animal habitat. 
  • Black and white ink-saving Writing Pages and Home Connection Page for in-person teaching.
field trip to the zoo

I hope your students love this resource as much as I do! If you want more virtual field trip ideas, check out my post here!

The Perfect PBL Project for Summer in Elementary!

Let’s chat about project-based learning (PBL) and why it’s such an awesome approach for our elementary students. 

Picture this: Instead of the traditional classroom setup where we dole out information and expect kids to memorize it, PBL takes a more hands-on, engaging, and exciting approach to learning.

summer pbl

So, what exactly is project-based learning? 

Glad you asked! It’s an instructional method where students actively explore real-world problems and challenges. They work on projects that allow them to dive deep into a topic, investigate, ask questions, and find creative solutions. The projects are typically open-ended, which means students have the freedom to make choices, collaborate, and use critical thinking skills to solve problems.

What are the benefits of project based learning for students? 

First and foremost, PBL sparks their natural curiosity and love for learning. By presenting them with real-world scenarios, they become invested in their projects and genuinely excited to find solutions. They become active participants in their own education, and that’s pretty amazing to witness!

Another fantastic benefit is that PBL helps develop essential 21st-century skills. Our students learn to think critically, communicate effectively, collaborate with their peers, and become creative problem solvers. These are the skills they’ll need to thrive in the future job market, so we’re setting them up for success.

PBL makes learning relevant and meaningful. Instead of studying isolated concepts, our students see how everything connects and applies to the real world. They understand the purpose behind their learning, and that drives their motivation to excel.

If you’re looking for PBL project ideas for this summer that will engage your students in learning and teach them real-life skills in business, addition, and measurement, you’ll love this Project Based Learning project! 

My PBL Lemonade Stand Project is the perfect way to do some summer learning! 

pbl project ideas

This engaging two week unit teaches students how to make a successful lemonade stand! They will learn math skills, teamwork, build a model, design a lemonade stand and end with a group presentation to entice investors to give them funding for their project.

pbl project

Here’s what’s included! 

Focus: Design, Economics, Math, Writing, and Speaking

  • Directions
  • Suggested Lesson Plans for a two week PBL Unit
  • A 7 Page Journal 
  • Planning Sheets
  • Design Printables
  • Vocabulary Poster
  • Money Posters
  • Teacher and Student Rubrics
  • Recipes 
  • Extra Activities
  • MORE 

Students are encouraged to broaden their research skills and do some research on their own about lemonade stand designs. For K students, the teacher can do research whole group! 

pbl project

Check it out here! 

I hope this post inspires you to delve into the world of project based learning this summer! What’s your favorite PBL project to do with students? Let me know in the comments!

Want to learn more about PBL projects? Check out my post here!

How Virtual Field Trips Can Spark Curiosity and Imagination

Want a teaching tool that can transport your students beyond the classroom walls and ignite their curiosity like never before? You definitely need to consider virtual field trips! These digital adventures are an incredible way to engage young minds, spark their imagination, and create unforgettable learning experiences.

Picture this: Instead of merely reading about the Great Wall of China in a textbook, your students can virtually explore its magnificence, walk along its ancient pathways, and marvel at its historical significance. With virtual field trips, the world becomes their classroom, and the possibilities are endless.

So, why should you consider incorporating virtual field trips into your elementary curriculum? 

  1. Ignite Curiosity: Virtual field trips provide an immersive and interactive learning experience that captivates students’ attention. Whether they are visiting a rainforest, a museum, or even outer space, the sights, sounds, and information they encounter will naturally spark their curiosity and deepen their understanding of the world.
  2. Make Learning Memorable: As teachers, we all strive to create lasting memories and meaningful connections in our students’ minds. These types of activities in the classroom offer unique opportunities for children to witness historical events, explore diverse cultures, and witness scientific phenomena firsthand. These experiences leave a lasting impression and enhance their knowledge retention.
  3. Foster Imagination: Virtual field trips inspire the imagination and encourage creative thinking. As students virtually travel to new places, they can visualize themselves in different settings and imagine the possibilities beyond their immediate surroundings. This imaginative spark can fuel their desire to explore, question, and learn more.
  4. Accessible for All: These digital trips break down barriers to learning. They are accessible to students of all abilities and can accommodate diverse learning styles. With just a computer and an internet connection, students can embark on incredible adventures, regardless of physical limitations or geographical constraints.
  5. Reinforcing Classroom Concepts: These activities provide a tangible connection to the topics being studied in class. They serve as a bridge between theoretical knowledge and real-world applications. 

Virtual field trips don’t have to replace traditional field trips entirely. But they are a powerful supplement that can enrich and expand your teaching toolkit. 

Ready to get started with? Here are some resources that make it easy, fun, and memorable for you and your students! 

Virtual Field Trip to the Beach

virtual field trips

Virtual Camping Field Trip

Virtual Zoo Trip

Earth Day Field Trip 

virtual field trips for earth day

Wizard School Virtual Trip

Can’t choose just one? Check out the bundle! 

If you want to learn more about these types of trips, check out my post here for a comparison of digital vs. in person field trips so that you can choose the right one for you!

How To Create Lasting Memories for High School Students with Senior Memory Books

As we near the end of another school year, we have a new group of seniors getting ready to begin a new chapter of their lives. That being said, I have been thinking about how we can create memory books with our students. Memory books are a great way to help them capture and treasure their high school memories. If you’re looking for senior memory book ideas, you’re in the right place! 

senior year memory books

I know what you’re thinking: Why memory books? Well, let me tell you why they’re such a great choice for our seniors:

  1. Reflection and Celebration: Memory books give our students a chance to reflect on their high school years and celebrate their achievements and personal growth. It’s a beautiful way for them to acknowledge the challenges they’ve overcome and the successes they’ve experienced.
  2. Keepsake for the Future: Graduation is a significant milestone, and having a memory book will allow our seniors to look back on their high school journey years down the road. It becomes a cherished keepsake that brings back memories of friends, teachers, and unforgettable moments.
  3. Self-Expression and Creativity: Memory books encourage our students to express their individuality and creativity through designs, handwritten notes, and personal anecdotes. It’s a chance for them to showcase their unique personalities and leave their mark on the pages of their high school legacy.

Creating memory books will not only help our seniors celebrate their accomplishments but also provide them with a lasting keepsake they can treasure for years to come. So, let’s get creative and make their high school memories truly unforgettable!

If you’re looking for some perfect memory books or senior memory book template that is simple and digital so students can create them easily and keep them with them forever, I have you covered with my Digital Yearbook For Seniors resource! 

Students who are participating in the digital option will have easy-to-identify text boxes to edit with directions. They can insert images, text, and even videos if they want to save their memories digitally. They can add school colors, and senior pictures, write their feelings about the end of the year, anything they may have missed from being out of school, and so much more! Students can print them out as a keepsake or just keep them digitally.

senior memory book

What is included?

  • 33 Google Slides (with text boxes and directions and 4 slides at the end to PERSONALIZE and EDIT for future YEARS) to push out easily to students to edit on their own. 4 pages are decorative but blank to easily personalize with editing. Each slide has directions on the right side and edit boxes to add text.
  • 38 PDF (same images, but easy-to-print file)
  • 4 Pages PDF, with directions, terms, and credits
memory book for high school

Topics Included on the pages:

  • Favorites
  • Accomplishments
  • Hobbies
  • Friends
  • Things They Miss
  • Next Year’s Goals
  • Next Year’s PLANS
  • Vacation Wish List
  • I am Grateful
  • Quarantine Writing Pages
  • Top 3 Senior Moments
  • If I Could Change the World
  • One Word from friends and family to Describe YOU 
  • All About Me
  • Homecoming
  • Prom ( Pages have directions on the side. If they missed prom, they can write about how the plans were changed or delete the page.)
  • I Feel Special
  • Graduation (add pictures of how they celebrated this important moment)
  • Autograph Page (digitally get Autographs from friends)
memory book resource

I love this resource because using Google Slides makes it so easy for students to create, no digging around for printed photos or keepsakes, everything can be added digitally. It also makes the perfect senior memory book project for the end of the year! 

Want to learn more about creating memory books in any grade? Check out my post here! 

Will you be making a memory book with seniors this year? Share your ideas in the comments!