Jacob Gourley, Social Studies Field Trip Guide
Jacob Gourley, 1994 Golden Apple Scholar, 2010 Golden Apple Fellow
Social Studies teachers and teachers who want to take their students on field trips will benefit from analyzing Jacob’s plans that can be downloaded and adapted. Here is an excerpt:
Chicago: City as a Classroom
Field Experience Designed by Jacob Gourley
The following field trip was originally inspired by Fellow Jan Yourist, who compiled a document dubbed “The Chicago Menu” for Scholars attending Summer Institute 1994. That year, Scholars were asked to visit three significant locations and reflect on their experiences in writing. In school year 2001-2002, I started the AP U.S. History program at Thornton Fractional South High School and created an architectural/historical photo scavenger hunt based on many of Yourist’s sites. The trip, which has become almost an institution in my school, has been improved in various capacities through the years.
Prior to the day of the trip, students are assigned to groups of 4 or 5. Each team member is responsible for researching a number of sites/locations/buildings ahead of time and preparing a 5x8 notecard detailing the cultural or historical significance of each place. On the day of the trip, the team is given a map of downtown Chicago and set free with a digital camera to capture the “perfect shot” of as many locations as they can manage in a few hours. As they make their way to each location, . . .
DOWNLOAD THE PDF and Overview: AP FIELD TRIP DESCRIPTION >
Chicago: City as a Classroom, Field Experience (and Sample Journal Page)
DOWNLOAD THE PDF: AP FIELD TRIP ITINERARY >
DOWNLOAD THE PDF: ARCHITECTS ASSIGNMENT >
DOWNLOAD THE PDF: A PUSH FIELD TRIP BROCHURE >
(Contains schedule, maps and worksheets for the students)
Links:
(773) 785-8901
Chicago History Museum
Reservations are taken online (or can be printed and faxed) here >
Contact Chris at: (312) 225-0273
Jacob M. Gourley teaches Social Studies at Thornton Fractional South High School in Lansing, IL. He is an award-winning leader who has a passion to develop public education to benefit students, school, and community. Since 1998, he has held several lead positions, including Division Chairperson, Instructional Coach, and currently, Division Leader. He also started Thornton’s successful AP U.S. History program, co-sponsored the National Honor Society and Drama Tech Club, chaired professional development committees, and served as community chair for District 215 United, a referendum committee that successfully raised funds for a $40 million construction project. He also co-directed an IHSA State-Championship Contest Play in 2003,and the IHSA State Runner-Up Contest Play in 2009.
Jacob received his B.A. in History Education with an English minor from Illinois State University, where he was a Robert G. Bone Scholar, a Presidential Scholar, spent a semester abroad at Christ Church College, Canterbury (UK), and graduated summa cum laude. His community involvement has included the A.C. Jaacks Credit Union, American Cancer Society, Thornton Township General Assistance Program, Lansing Food Pantry, and School Community Spirit Committee. He currently serves as President of Thornton Fractional Federation of Teachers, Local #683 (IFT/AFT).