Everything Teachers Need to Know for School Field Trip Bus Rides
Fifteen years; that is how long I have been taking kids from Kindergarteners to Seniors on bus rides to field trips. From summer day camps to outdoor school, I’ve done it all. The school I currently work at goes on 30 field trips every year. Six of those field trips are overnight trips with an entire class of students. Over the years, I have learned a thing or two about how to keep my sanity and students happy on the bus. Read on if you want to survive and maybe even be excited about your next ride on the big yellow bus.
Make Sure You Have Basic Necessities
Generally speaking, you need to have field trip permission slips for each student and file trip chaperone attending your adventure. Chaperones also need to be registered volunteers with the district with fingerprint checks. Some districts require more or less paperwork so double check what is needed and ensure you have everything. I usually bring a one inch binder to hold all permission slips, contact information in case of emergency, and medical information if applicable. I love this, “Do More of What Makes You Happy” one because it always makes me smile. I also bring a basic first aid kit ( I rock a fanny pack but you can get a basic one for your backpack HERE.)
Talk to the Driver About Expectations
Right when you get to the bus, greet the driver and introduce yourself. Having a good relationship with bus drivers is important and some teachers seem to forget this. Ask about expectations for students so you can help with proper discipline. Also ask if the driver needs directions and if they have been to your destination before. If the driver does not seem confident, it may be a good idea to sit in the first seat to help with navigation. Some drivers allow food and drinks other than water and some do not. To have a successful school field trip, this communication step should not be skipped. Drivers also can offer field trip ideas and suggestions for future educational field trips nearby. It is important to be a united front when transporting students to reduce madness so have these conversations right away.
Set Clear Bus Rules Before Leaving the Parking Lot
This is especially important when we take bright eyed and bushy tailed sixth graders on their first overnight field trip. They don’t know expectations so clear and concise directions are mandatory before the bus even leaves the parking lot. Click HERE for a full list of tasks as we enter the bus.
- Make sure everyone has their stuff needed
- Ask if everyone has gone to the bathroom (including teachers).
- Remind them about expectations with noise level.
- Tell students where to put and where not to put their body.
- Talk about food and drinks as well as a trash policy.
- Let everyone know how long the ride will be.
Sit Next To Humans You Enjoy
Now, I know there can be requirements about where Teachers sit. Sometimes you have to have one chaperone in the back, one in the front, one at emergency exits and so on. However, if you get on the bus first out of all your colleagues, you can do a quick scan and see where the best spot to sit is. Better yet, seat the students yourself! While seating them, do a look around for what students (or chaperones) you would want to sit next to for the duration of the trip and just say something like, “This is going to be my seat, please make sure no one sits there.” In teaching, I know we don’t have favorite (or least favorite) students or co workers, but if we did…you know where to sit.
Bring Something To Do
You probably can’t put headphones on and drown out the sounds of students or take a nap, but you can probably bring something to do on the bus to maintain sanity. You can go for the obvious thing, information to read about your destination or something more personal like a book or knitting. Adult activity books with word searches, puzzles, and whatnot are a fun option. I like THIS ONE. If you want to be popular with the people around you, bring this Games on the Go activity and game book. It is small and easily portable with great ideas for young and older students alike.
Sit Back, Relax, and Focus on Gratitude
Field trips are supposed to be fun. Remember that. You are getting paid to not be at your school so enjoy it! Think of the fun places you are going and what you are most excited about. Better yet, talk with the students about what they are excited about. This is your chance to build relationships with them outside the classroom. All kids need positive adult relationships. Take a breath and try to be grateful for this opportunity because it doesn’t happen everyday!
If you follow these simple steps, your next bus trip should be more successful and less stressful. For more school field trip tips and hacks to stay sane, follow me on social media and subscribe to this blog!
