Be Prepared

Our Laguna Beach tide pool field trip is quickly approaching, so it is time to get prepared. Let's take a look at what we may need in order to be as prepared as we can be for this trip.

First and foremost, we'll need to make sure our little ones are protected from the damaging effects of the sun. The sun is sneaky and though the beach is typically cooler and often overcast, unlike further inland, the sun still penetrates through the clouds and the cool ocean breeze and will get ahold of your child's young skin. Our chaperons will be armed with SPF 45 sunscreen. Please do slather on a generous layer of your own sunscreen before your son or daughter comes to school on the day of the field trip. That way we can make sure that your child is adequately protected. We'll reapply if needed throughout the day. If you would like a higher SPF, please pack that with your child's lunch and let us know with a note. Also, please send your child to school with a baseball hat or a wide-brimmed sun hat. Please dress your child in a long-sleeve shirt and long pants. The sun is powerful and can penetrate lighter colors, so if possible, think dark colors. Please do not send your child to school in sandals of any kind. Tennis shoes are appropriate for this activity and any other type of shoe will unfortunately not be allowed on the tide pools.

Another important way we can be prepared is to learn all about the creatures we'll see down at the tide pools in Laguna Beach. During the week leading up to the field trip, your student will see pictures of the animals and plants they may see on the field trip. We will practice the names of the plants and animals as well as the substrates, or surfaces the creatures live on, in, and underneath. Having your child see pictures of what they may encounter on their exploration will help them quickly identify and be more familiar with the inhabitants of the tide pools. Some of the names we learn will be new to your child and this is an excellent way for us to pratice the names and learn more about them before we see them in their natural habitats.

We will also be talking about safety leading up to the field trip. Safety is so important both for your child as well as the creatures and ecosystem at the tide pools. First, we will discuss how slippery and some of the rocks can be at the tide pools and how it is important to use their legs and arms/hands, as well as always making sure they have their balance. They will also learn that this area of our coastal community is fragile and they must be sure to not disturb any of the creatures living there. That means not picking up or touching animals, and not pulling on any of the plants they find. They will also be reminded that the creatures living at the tide pools are there because that is their home. They will not survive in pockets, so they are to be left at the tide pools and not to be brought home as souvenirs. The tide pools, as with any beautiful community in our great state are not a gift shop and pictures and memories are all we will take with us when we leave.

Being protected from the sun, familiar with what we'll be seeing, and knowing how to be safe and respectful are crucial to a successful field trip. Each of the students in our class are more than capable of having a terrific learning experience on this field trip and we're all excited to get down there and learn.

Next time, we'll talk about how I can be as prepared for this trip as possible.