By admin 
TUCSON, Ariz. (13 News) – Most Tucson teachers manage one field trip a year.
One Montessori teacher does it every month.
Elementary school students at Drachman Montessori walk a mile, take the bus, and explore Tucson as part of the process.
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“Pulling a Rebecca”
At Drachman Montessori Magnet, the outings are called “pulling a Rebecca,” a reference to teacher Rebecca Carreon.
“I want them to be able to go out, experience the community – to see what it’s like to go outside beyond the four walls of this classroom,” said Carreon.
That’s part of her Montessori training, which emphasizes the importance of “going out.”
Study links field trips to fewer behavior issues
A study in the Journal of Human Resources tracked students who went on field trips. It found fewer behavior issues, better school attendance, and higher exam scores.
Carreon said students remember lessons better when they don’t just see them in a textbook.
“I remember the picture maybe five minutes, but my experience seeing a javelina – smelling a javelina – is going to be there forever,” Carreon said.
Donations and transportation costs
Carreon said the school’s central location helps make the frequent trips possible.
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“Our school is central. We are point-eight miles from a streetcar stop, and the streetcar can take us all these places,” Carreon said.
Teachers said the cost of transportation is usually the biggest barrier. Carreon fundraises through the tax credit donation program and asks parents to contribute roughly $10 a month.
This month’s trip was a puppet show at the nonprofit theater downtown called Scoundrel and Scamp. Other trips include the Desert Museum, the Children’s Museum, and sports events at the University of Arizona.
Drachman Montessori first-grade student Javi said he enjoys the outings.
“We get to do fun stuff instead of just working,” Javi said.
Isabela Lisco is aReport for America corpsmember covering education solutions for 13 News. Her position is made possible through funding from Report for America and theArizona Local News Foundation’s Arizona Community Collaborative Fund.
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