School Trip Classroom Activity: Student Tour Guide of New York City

nyc student tour guide

This engaging classroom project will make your New York City school trip even more meaningful. Your NYC student tour guide will lead the way!

NYC Student Tour Guide: The Assignment

It’s your turn to be the tour guide! Prepare a 5-7 minute speech that showcases one of the sites that we will visit during our New York City trip. Your speech should include historical context of the site, architectural elements, a story, and relevant logistics. Your presentation must also incorporate visual aids. Get ready to shine the light on New York City!

NYC Student Tour Guide: Speech Elements

History

Provide brief context or background for events that inspired the construction of the memorial, building, city,
or sculpture. For example, for the Brooklyn Bridge, you could briefly discuss the significance of connecting Manhattan and Brooklyn during the time period of the late 1800s.

Architectural Elements

Discuss the symbolism, layout, or interesting facts about memorial/building design. For example, at the Brooklyn Bridge, you could discuss the elements of a suspension bridge and how the Brooklyn Bridge was the longest suspension bridge in the world. This bridge was also the first to be lighted and to be made out of steel.

Story

Tell a fun or interesting story pertaining to the memorial/building and/or the event it commemorates. For
example, at the Brooklyn Bridge, you could tell the story of how P.T. Barnum walked 21 elephants across the bridge to prove that it was safe for travel.

Logistics

Address any relevant information pertaining to bathrooms, photography, security, meeting time, etc.

NYC Student Tour Guide: Visual Aids

Visual aids are essential context for your presentation. However, since tour guides do not implement Powerpoint, Prezi, etc. while on tour, this is not to be included. You may include one or more of the following: