We're talking about Field Tripping, of course.

Do you remember when you were in school and how excited you got when your teacher uttered the two words "FIELD TRIP"!  Instantly your thoughts went to getting out of the classroom, socializing with friends, and maybe your mom chaperoned. 

As a parent I liken the feelings that a child has about field trips to when my husband says BABYSITTER. We all look forward to "breaking out" of our routines from time to time, especially during the winter months. No matter your type of work - student, stay at home mom, teacher or working mom, we all need a change.

Additionally, there are numerous social and educational benefits to field trips. This eNewsletter is dedicated to providing ideas for moms and teachers alike that are looking for some TRIPPIN FUN!

-Allison Cate

A few suggestions to get you thinking...

ON-CAMPUS FIELD TRIPS:

• Shreveport Green
• Sherriff's/Fire Department
• Shreveport Opera Xpress (SOX)
• Jubilee Zoo (They will bring the Zoo to You)
• Caddo Parks Naturalist
• Gymboree Play & Music (On the Go)

OFF CAMPUS:

• PRATT Industries Recycling Center
• Shreveport Waterworks Museum
• Louisiana State Exhibit Museum (Free Mardi Gras Film Festival Feb. 18)
• Sheriff's Safety Town
• Multicultural Center of the South
• Sci-Port: Louisiana's Science Center (Bodies Revealed opens 1/28)
• Walter B. Jacobs Nature Park
• LSU AgCenter Pecan Station
• Woolworth Road Landfill - Shreveport
• Pioneer Heritage Center -LSUS
  
• Red River Wildlife Refuge (New Visitor's Center Open Jan. 2012)
  
• Louisiana War Veteran's Home (Bossier)
• 8th Air Force Museum - Barksdale Air Force Base
  
• Stage of the Stars Museum - Municipal Auditorium
  
• R. W. Norton Art Gallery
• Gardens at the American Rose Center
• Meadows Museum of Art (Centenary College)
  
• Ed Lester Farms (Coushatta, LA)
• Alexandria Zoo
• Caldwell Tyler Zoo
  

MORE IDEAS>>>

Moonbot Studios' "The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore" is one of five animated short films that will be considered for the Oscar at the 84th Academy Awards on Feb. 26.

The film can be downloaded and viewed for free on iTunes.

It's a captivating short film that your kids will LOVE!

The film's plot summary explains that it is "inspired, in equal measures, by Hurricane Katrina, Buster Keaton, The Wizard of Oz, and a love for books, The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is a poignant, humorous allegory about the curative powers of story. Using a variety of techniques (miniatures, computer animation, 2D animation) award winning author/ illustrator William Joyce and Co-director Brandon Oldenburg present a hybrid style of animation that harkens back to silent films and MGM Technicolor musicals. Morris Lessmore is old fashioned and cutting edge at the same time."

Moonbot Studios is based in Shreveport, Louisiana and The Fantastic Flying Books of Mr. Morris Lessmore is the company's first released animation project.

Their iPad app was featured in a previous newsletter  -- 2011 BEST BOOKS APPS FOR KIDS.

View all EVENTS on the EVENTS CALENDAR>>>

Lisa is so different from Grace. Grace never broke anything when she was this age. Lisa breaks something every day," Meg told me at our playgroup with our one-year olds.

Meg, a long-time friend, was over 30 when she had her first child. Five-year-old Grace lived up to her name. Grace was gentle and content to look at Meg's extensive collection of family crystal and European figurines. Lisa, on the other hand, as soon as she could crawl, banged glass top tables and pulled expensive porcelain off shelves.

read more>>>
Used with permission from KIDS TALK^TM