Book Review

Check your local library for this book, or follow our link to Amazon.com to purchase a used or new copy.

Open the Door Let's Explore More! Field Trips of Discovery for Young Children, by Rhoda Redleaf. 1996, Redleaf Press.

Although this oversized (8 1/2 x 11 inches) paperback book seems to be aimed at preschool, kindergarten, or day care providers, it would be a valuable resource for homeschoolers and other parents as well. There are many nature exploration opportunities described in the "World of Walks" section, including the Bugs Around Us Walk, a Pond Life Walk, a Garden Walk, a Senses Exploration Walk, and a Tree Walk, among others.

Tips for taking successful field trips apply to any types of outings, and there are helpful forms including permission slips and orientation lists for volunteers that may be photocopied or modified for your own use.

Many useful suggestions for how to prepare kids before trips, including useful words and terms to discuss ahead of time, and lists of things to bring, help ensure you'll get the most out of each outing. Books to read and other resources to look at before each trip are described here, too. Activities for during the trip, such as using your senses, identifying as many creatures as you can, comparing and measuring, and questions for speculation will make for a richer experience. There are songs, poems, and finger plays for a variety of settings and trips.

There are many follow-up activities suggested for each trip, from talking about it, writing thank-you notes if you visited an organization, making drawings or art projects, and more. Long lists of resources accompany each type of activity.

There are also many outings suggested in "Your Community," including an apple orchard, farm, grocery store, zoo, fire station, bank, and others.