Field Trips

In the past month I have taken 2 different classes on 2 different field trips.  The first group were my AP seniors.  We got a bus and went to the American History museum to see four of the original freedom riders talk.  The 2nd trip was with my 4th period 10th graders.  We got a bus and went to the National Geographic Society building to participate in a training conference for Model United Nations.  The one thing these two trips had in common: I was super angry at my students on the bus ride back.  The anger built up during both trips throughout the day.  I could not get over how whiny and disinterested my students were compared to all their peers from other schools (including schools that are supposed to be just like ours).  While other students sat up straight and listened, my students slouched, slept or (in the case of my 10th graders only) talked out of turn and inappropriately.

Field trips are supposed to be a chance to expose my students to life outside of our ward and our school; A chance for them to get inspired and it really pisses me off when it doesn't seem to work.  And as the field trip continues through the day I get more and more upset at the prospect of another attempt at inspiring my students failing miserably. I don't expect 'life changing movie moments' but I DO hope that I can see a glimmer of hope that my students are taking interest and getting at least something out of the trip.

But my attitude towards this has changed.  On the bus ride back from my second field trip I talked with my neighboring teacher who also took his students to train for the MUN.  He saw the trip in a different light.  While he also was disappointed in some of the students' behaviors he also saw a lot more positive aspects to alight on.

1) They could have been worse.  Overall in the scheme of things they were a little loud and boisterous at times, but some of them were really on point, and they weren't so out of hand that they got kicked out or made the organization wish we hadn't come.
2) They were exposed to how other students behave and act, and to activities that were challenging and outside of their comfort zone. While it would have been ideal for them to adjust on the trip itself, it doesn't mean that they didn't take something away from the trip just because they had some instances of poor behavior.
3) We were the only school to bring a large group.  While other schools had Model United Nations clubs or selected a small group of their elite upper-classmen, we brought as many of our 10th grade regular students as we could. This means that we aren't going to be exactly like the others because our group is the 'rawest' of them all. We should also be proud of the fact that we are really trying to expose those who rarely get these kind of academic opportunities to a very challenging and enriching arena.
4) We learned which students we will definitely not bring to the real Model United Conference at the State Department in May.

When we got back I was quite a bit calmer.  I think I mostly agree with my colleague.  While I don't think I need to feel bad about my anger, I've decided that one of the key things is to keep working with my kids and not shut down over it.  My anger is legitimate, I want my students to become more engaged because I want their lives to be better and I want something (anything) to work.  But they're 10th graders, they have a long way to go and some of them will get better. I can't just get angry at them, instead I have to better express why I'm getting upset to them and how much I want to see their potential get pushed in a more productive direction.

Friday I had a great class with 4 of the students who showed up (attendance is a HUGE problem with this class, but that is a whole other topic). They got into the activities we did and they really seemed to understand the causes of World War I (a topic that I seem to have skill at making interesting). So I guess there may be hope, just have to keep up a positive attitude while also recognizing the weaknesses and continuing to push myself and my students to improve.