Do you ever feel guilty if your field trip isn't that "big"? I'd wanted a "bigger" field trip, but that just can't be managed right now. I'm telling myself over and over that as long as it gets its job done, then everything's fine. But I still feel somewhat guilty. I wish we had an aquarium in our area...we went to one in June when we were in Myrtle Beach though.
check out your local listings online for Free days.. here we have zoos and science centers and art places that all have free days once a month or once a year.. that is how I plan most of my things cause its all gonna cost in Gas. and at one Zoo I get the annual pass because we go to zoos n Wa state that are on the same pass! The we can go with grands up there in Fall too! our Oakland Zoo sorta in area is great it has a mini theme park outside the zoo, has a whole big PARK PARK too, great for feild trips, ( I did this as a kid so take my kids on one every year, but last year that is the shoulder thing killed that one!) So this year we get to go to SF zoo AND Oakland Zoo, Exploritorium, in October for that last one.... maybe to the Homeschool day at Six flaggs this year.. have to check on that one cause its cheaper but still costs. REALLY FUN THOUGH! you get to do so much hands on stuff and learning with all those home school kids! our Science Center in SF also has homeschool days, where you get in for a buck, they have special things going on for homeschool lessons too! Lots of freebies to pick up too! awesome time we had last time we went ( 2 yrs ago)
ANGELHEART, When you do what you can do, you should never feel bad you're not doing more!!! Your kids are getting much more one-on-one time from somone who loves them dearly. They're getting to work through things so they really learn it, instead of being pushed through. They get to do things because it's fun, and it's special to do with family. They don't get that in ps! So your homeschooling is already "bigger" and better than their schooling would be in ps! So keep doing what you can do, make it as special as you can, and be happy that you can even do that much!!! I'm thinking you're probably doing a great job, so don't second-guess yourself! Your fieldtrips are great because you took the time, again, to do what you could do!
Well we went on that first field trip yesterday afternoon. It wasn't *spectacular* but it was pretty good. Like I thought, my dd only paid attention for about 10 minutes or so before zoning out. She's only 5, that's to be expected, lol. I just wish she'd been able to see the scales and gills on the fish better...those are the 2 parts of the anatomy that she needs to work on the most. Especially the scales. She insists scales are for making the fish itch. We did get to see some oscars at feeding time. We just happened to be there at the right time! An employee took a little net and scooped some minnows out of their tank, and put them in with the oscars. And it was sooooo amazing to see the oscars immediately go into prey drive, and actually hunt down the minnows and eat them in a big gulp! It was so cool, I asked the guy if he could feed the oscars some more, so my daughter could see it again. That was the highlight of the field trip, I think, lol. An actual aquarium would have been better, but I think that it was a nice experience overall, and it was FREE lol. And when my autistic ds started fussing right near the end, we were able to make a quick getaway before he had a total meltdown! As opposed to a busy aquarium where it's hard to make your way through all the people and find the exit, you know? I have no idea what we'll do for our next trip, or when it'll be, but I think I'm gaining some confidence. I still have a guilt streak going, lol, but it's diminishing.
