K-8 Field Study Program
What is FSD?
What is FSD?
What is FSD?
Field Study Days (FSD) have been developed and are a part of our charter to give students an opportunity to design their own meaningful experience for the day. The day should be spent on an activity that extends the learning environment from the classroom into the home and community. Three days during the school year have been set aside for this purpose. These are not DAYS OFF for students or staff!
The program consists of three strands: job shadowing, field trips, and community service at K-8. Students will receive an “Advance Preparation” worksheet to help them plan for each FSD. Completed forms need to be turned in prior to the FSD no matter what the activity is (at 6th-12th grade, forms must be submitted at least one week prior for full credit). Students must return an accounting of the educational experiences they had on the FSD. Staff will guide students through this process as each teacher may add to or adjust these requirements. Failure to complete the requirements may result in the student being considered truant. After FIVE days (first day is the FSD) ADA (attendance credit) cannot be earned if a report is not received. DUE DATES ARE LISTED IN CALENDAR PAGES OF PLANNER.
ATTENDANCE REQUIREMENT: If the activity is not completed or the follow-up assignment is not
turned in or completed within 5 school days, the student will be marked absent for that school day. Therefore, if reports are LATE, STUDENTS WILL BE MARKED AS AN UNEXCUSED ABSENCE. Due dates are listed in the calendar pages of this planner.
turned in or completed within 5 school days, the student will be marked absent for that school day. Therefore, if reports are LATE, STUDENTS WILL BE MARKED AS AN UNEXCUSED ABSENCE. Due dates are listed in the calendar pages of this planner.
PROMOTION REQUIREMENT: In order to participate in promotion ceremonies, all Field Study Day requirements must be met.
Advance Prep Forms
Advance Prep Forms
Advance Prep Forms
K-8 Field Study Day Strands
EXPECTATIONS: Students must spend a minimum of four hours “shadowing” their adult mentor. One student shadows one mentor at a time (two students may not “shadow” the same mentor.) Transportation is the responsibility of the parent, and it’s important to arrive on time. During the day, students will complete their “Shadow Day Questionnaire” and give the mentor an evaluation to complete. The student is responsible for obtaining this before the shadow day.
ON THE DAY OF JOB SHADOWING: Dress for the kind of position you will be shadowing. In general, clothing must be appropriate for what you are doing that day. Walk in confidently and proudly. Remember to show a positive attitude and respectfully S.O.A.R (Self control, On task, Accepting, Responsible).
EXPECTATIONS: Students must spend a minimum of four hours exploring the point of interest on a Field Study Day. Students should be careful that their destination is educational. See the staff or website for more ideas.
K-8 Field Study Day Strands
Job Shadowing
WHAT: This experience is provided for students so they can learn about a variety of careers, the world of work, and how their education can help prepare them for the future.
EXPECTATIONS: Students must spend a minimum of four hours “shadowing” their adult mentor. One student shadows one mentor at a time (two students may not “shadow” the same mentor.) Transportation is the responsibility of the parent, and it’s important to arrive on time. During the day, students will complete their “Shadow Day Questionnaire” and give the mentor an evaluation to complete. The student is responsible for obtaining this before the shadow day.
ON THE DAY OF JOB SHADOWING: Dress for the kind of position you will be shadowing. In general, clothing must be appropriate for what you are doing that day. Walk in confidently and proudly. Remember to show a positive attitude and respectfully S.O.A.R (Self control, On task, Accepting, Responsible).
Field Trips
WHAT: This experience is provided to enable the students to explore something outside of the school environment with the family. Transportation is the responsibility of the parent. These days could be used for exploration of local organizations (science centers, zoos, theaters, museums, etc). Other ideas include but are not limited to seeing a play, attending the symphony or ballet, or to travel to non-local points of historical/economical/agricultural/etc. interest.
EXPECTATIONS: Students must spend a minimum of four hours exploring the point of interest on a Field Study Day. Students should be careful that their destination is educational. See the staff or website for more ideas.
Community Service
WHAT: This experience is provided to enable the students to care about the community around them and work toward its betterment. According to our charter, each student must complete a minimum of 15 hours of community service each year, most of which can be accomplished on Field Study Days. You may use Field Study Days to complete your community service although your FSD activities are not automatically community service.
EXPECTATIONS: Students must spend a minimum of four hours helping the community on a Field Study Day. Students should be careful that their activity benefits the community at large and not personal family members, or businesses (i.e. babysitting, cleaning yards, working in family owned businesses). See the staff for ideas and how to keep track of your community service requirement. Be polite, prompt, and serious as you represent CCAA in the community. Enjoy helping others.
Follow-up Assignments to FSD
Follow-up Assignments to FSD
K-3rd
Kinder-3rd Grade Posters & Presentations
Field Study Day (FSD) projects are due on the date to be arranged by each teacher. Students will be given prepared poster boards for each FSD, so that they are uniform in size to be displayed on the wall. The poster boards will be sent home the day before each FSD. The posters should be completed by the student (not parent) and include typed or neatly handwritten descriptions of the day's events and what they learned. The length and format of the writing will vary by grade level expectations and is explained at Back to School Night. For example, Kindergarten does not require written paragraphs but the use of pictures and drawings add to their oral presentation. The posters should also include drawn pictures or photographs of the FSD. Students will present their reports to the class orally. In general, reports that earn the highest possible score/grade are the reports that have complete paragraphs with good content and details on the front of the poster, along with visuals that are displayed neatly, and with some time taken to add interest by adding borders, design, and/or decoration. The grading of the oral portion of the report is generally based on good eye contact, speaking volume, and voice inflection.
4th-6th
4th, 5th & 6th Grade Papers
After each FSD, 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students are expected to write a written report about their FSD experience. The report is due back within 5 school days after the FSD date and should be 3-5 paragraphs in length. Students may be asked to submit a hand-written rough draft, as well as a typed (or neatly handwritten) final copy. The final copy, if typed, may be printed out and turned in, or submitted electronically via email or Google docs (each teacher will give more specifics on this format). Fourth, fifth and sixth grade students DO NOT need to create a poster.
7th-8th
7th & 8th Papers, Presentation & Proof of Attendance
IF JOB SHADOWING: Students will complete a written essay and oral presentation based on the packet that should be turned in (date to be arranged with the ELA teacher - ASSIGNMENT COUNTS IN ELA GRADE.) For students who are unable to meet with their mentor or unable to arrange for transportation, they may write an essay investigating a specific career. Writing prompt for 7th-8th grade: Exploring various jobs now can lead to knowing what we want and don't want for our future. Write a 3-5 paragraph Informational/Explanatory essay in which you reflect on your activity and connect it to the research you did prior to the activity. See support rubrics and examples given at beginning of year.
IF GOING ON A FIELD TRIP: Students will complete an essay and oral presentation on their learning (date to be arranged with ELA teacher - ASSIGNMENT COUNTS IN ELA GRADE) that communicates to the class what was learned during the experience. Writing prompt for 7th-8th grade: Much can be learned from taking field trips and traveling. Write a 5 paragraph Narrative in which you reflect on the trip you took, what you learned, and connect it to the research you did prior to the activity. See support rubrics and examples given at beginning of year.
IF SERVING THE COMMUNITY: Students will complete a written essay describing their day (due date to be arranged by ELA teacher - ASSIGNMENT COUNTS IN ELA GRADE.) An evaluation form from the adult supervisor is also required. Writing prompt for 7th-8th grade: Members of society should be involved in their community as much as possible. Write a 3-5 paragraph essay in which you make a claim and provide evidence from the research you did prior to the activity as you also reflect on the community service you performed. See support rubrics and examples given at beginning of year.
