The Wisconsin Humane Society offers both in-person and virtual field trips for students K4 – Grade 12 at our Milwaukee, Ozaukee, and Racine Campuses. Our field trip lessons align with state and national standards and can be tailored to accommodate the needs of your students. Our team would love to work with your class!
In-person field trips accommodate a maximum of 60 students. The cost is $50 for the first 30 students, and an additional $2 per student beyond 30. This includes a virtual behind-the-scenes tour to watch with your class prior to your visit, an on-site tour of our adoption area, a fun lesson that aligns with your educational goals, and a chance for your students to meet an animal. Field trips last approximately one hour and are offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays each week.
Virtual field trips are $50 for school groups and can host up to 60 participants. This online option includes a virtual behind-the-scenes tour, a live virtual tour of one of our animal adoption areas with a chance to see some animals, and a live virtual lesson of your choice. Offered on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays each week.
Book your field trip!
Browse the curriculum options below, then place a request for the type of experience that works best for your classroom. We can’t wait for you to join us!
Field Trip Topics & Curriculum
For students in K4 through Grade 2
Literacy, Science
This lesson blends literacy with information about the Wisconsin Humane Society for a fun, cross-curricular program. Students will listen to a story read aloud, learn about how WHS takes care of animals, and visit our Adoption Avenue (either virtually or in-person) to see the animals waiting for new homes and meet a furry friend.
Standards:
English Language Arts: Speaking & Listening
Comprehension and Collaboration
SL.2.1 Participate in collaborative conversations with diverse partners about topics and texts with peers and adults in small and larger groups.
Follow agreed-upon norms for discussions and participate by actively listening, taking turns, gaining the floor in respectful ways, and staying on topic.
Build on others’ talk in conversations by linking their comments to the remarks of others.
SL.2.2 Recount or describe key ideas or details from a text read aloud or information presented orally or through other media.
Social Studies: Inquiry Practices and Processes (Inq)
Standard SS.Inq5: Wisconsin students will be civically engaged.
Performance Indicator: SS.Inq5.a.e Explore opportunities for personal or collaborative civic engagement with community, school, state, tribal, national, and/or global implications.
For students in K5 through Grade 2
Science, Health
Animals and people are more alike than we may sometimes think! Animals may not speak with words, but they have other ways to communicate how they are feeling. Students will use their observational skills to help decipher the language of companion animals and learn how to safely interact with them.
Standards:
Science: Disciplinary Core Ideas (DCI) — Life Science 1 (LS1) – Structures and Processes
SCI.LS1.D: Information Processing
Performance Indicator: SCI.LS1.D.1 Animals sense and communicate information and respond to inputs with behaviors that help them grow and survive.
Health: Standard 4: Students will demonstrate the ability to use interpersonal communication skills to enhance health and avoid or reduce health risk
Learning Priority: Identify and apply effective interpersonal communication skills
Performance Indicator: 4:1:B Describe ways to respond when in an unwanted, threatening, or dangerous situation. 4:1:B2 Use refusal skills including firmly saying no and getting away from the situation. 4:1:B3 Explain how to communicate to a trusted adult if threatened or harmed.
For students in Grades 3 through 12
Social Studies; Career Development; Environment, Health, and Safety
Learn about all of the rewarding careers at an animal shelter. Students will hear directly from staff in a few key roles about the skills and experiences needed to enter their career field.
Standards:
Social Studies Wisconsin State Standard
SS.Inq5: Explore opportunities for personal or collaborative civic engagement with community, school, state, tribal, national, and/or global implications.
Career Development Wisconsin State Standard
CD1.a.3.h: Evaluate various occupations and career pathways to identify personal, academic and career goals based on personal strengths, aptitudes, and passions.
Environment, Health and Safety Wisconsin State Standard
EHS1.a.3.e: Describe how personal choices impact natural and human-built systems
For students in Grades 6 through 12
Social Studies; Career Development; Environment, Health, and Safety
Get the scoop on what it takes to be a veterinarian, what to expect on the job, and what makes shelter medicine unique. Students will also learn about other career options in the animal field, as well. Students will participate in a veterinary science activity to see firsthand what a vet may do during a typical day.
Standards:
Social Studies Wisconsin State Standard
SS.Inq5: Explore opportunities for personal or collaborative civic engagement with community, school, state, tribal, national, and/or global implications.
Career Development Wisconsin State Standard
CD1.a.3.h: Evaluate various occupations and career pathways to identify personal, academic and career goals based on personal strengths, aptitudes, and passions.
Environment, Health and Safety Wisconsin State Standard
EHS1.a.3.e: Describe how personal choices impact natural and human-built systems