TRAVEL LEARNING …AN OPPORTUNITY
We have had an increasing number of requests for long term homework
assignments. This has given us the opportunity to discuss how such requests fit
into our concept of striving for high student engagement in our learning. A
summary of our discussions have acknowledged that an interactive family
experience of another culture, environment or setting cannot be duplicated by the
school. Alternatively, the interactive, engaged work of the schoolhouse cannot
be duplicated on a vacation. We can’t have both experiences, so the travel
opportunity is a trade-off. What we need to do is combine the best elements of
school and travel so that the child continues to have meaningful learning
experiences during the travel.
A traditional expectation is that the teacher will prepare packets of independent,
skills-type homework. We do not support this type of “Travel Learning”. Instead,
we need activities that are not just practice, but bring in new learning, are
interactive with the family, and involve a sharing of the experience when the child
returns to the classroom. Such activities could include: dictating or keeping a
journal, inventing and solving story problems about the trip, collecting free
brochures of places visited, presenting a prepared poster talk to the class,
creating a video production, etc. Many more of these types of activities are in the
enclosed packet.
As you travel through this packet, remember that it’s only a menu…you don’t
have to “eat” everything on it. Please select the activities which are age
appropriate, fit the type of travel experience, and involve the highest degree of
interaction. Have fun, learn together and bring something back so we all can
share in your travel opportunity.
A TRAVEL PORTFOLIO OF HOMEWORK IDEAS
FOR
MT. PILCHUCK ELEMENTARY SCHOOL
An important rule to follow is that we should try to have every student reading
and writing daily. With this notion in mind, select appropriate ideas and activities
that will help enhance your child’s vacation experience.
WRITING
 Describe and illustrate your favorite museum, person, or place visited.
Other examples to choose from might include a favorite restaurant, meal,
type of transportation, etc.

Write or draw pictures of all the foods you had for one meal. Then put
them in order of most favorite (number 1) to least favorite (last number).

Write and/or illustrate your favorite day in sequence, using sequence
words such as “first, next and last”. (Include as many events as you can.)

Keep postcards from the places you visit. Use them to illustrate your
journal or as a separate writing topic.

Do you need to send a letter or a postcard to a friend or relative?
Describe your trip in descriptive terms. Practice addressing the envelope,
too.

Clip pictures and article from local newspapers published in the area you
are visiting.

Produce a video showing highlights of the trip. Write the script, add
music. Incorporate information gained on the trip. Share this with the
class.

Make a log of different road signs along the way.

Write a description or draw a picture of an interesting person you saw or
met.

Keep a travel diary of each day that you were away.

Each day you are gone, learn one new vocabulary word. List these words
on the last page of your diary.

Take a library book with you and read for 30 minutes each day.

Write a friendly letter or postcard to your class.

Purchase two or three postcards of places you have visited. Write a brief
(3 or 4 sentence) summary about each one.

Write a letter to yourself before the trip predicting the expectations and
feelings you might have during the trip. Open the letter when you get
home to see if you fulfilled your expectations.

Write a play based on the diary you kept. Choose classmates to act out
the other lead roles such as Dad, Mom, etc. Use travel brochures and
pictures as props besides the murals or backdrops you’ve drawn.

Write a story based on the postcards sent home daily to tell family or
classmates what’s going on during your trip.

Collect some brochure for activities you have done or would like to do.
Tell why each activity sounds fun for visitors.

Keep a journal or diary. Each day write a brief summary about what you
did that day.

Write and send 3 postcards to our class. Our address is:
______________________’s Class
Mt. Pilchuck Elementary
12806 – 20th St. NE
Lake Stevens, WA 98258

Interview a new friend: If you have met a new friend on your trip, find out
more about him or her! Write down at least 5 questions to ask your new
friend then have an interview. Record your friend’s answers. Then write a
paragraph telling why you are enjoying this new friend.
MATH
 Invent and solve story problems about your trip.

Estimate the number of minutes that pass from the time you enter a
restaurant until the time you leave. Try this at several restaurants, fastfood as well as fine dining. Which meals and restaurant seem to take
longer? Are you getting closed on your estimates as you practice this
important skill?

Work on your facts drills: addition and subtraction for younger grades and
multiplication and division for intermediate students.

Make flash cards for +, -, x, -

Ask a restaurant for a free menu. Practice ordering from the menu and
with play money pay for the meal, make change, etc.

Follow route on map and figure mileage.

Keep a log of how much money your family spends.

Compute the mileage that you travel. What is the total number of miles?
BONUS!! What is the total number of kilometers?

Practice your math facts in a strange place. Choose a place that you
would never expect to be when practicing facts and do it there.
OTHER
 Collect brochures and information on places of interest.

Make a collection of souvenirs to share when you describe your trip.

Create a piece of artwork to describe something about your trip, i.e., a
natural resource you saw, something about the ethnicity of a place you
visited, etc.

Keep a weather chart during your trip. Record weather, including
conditions, temperature, sunrise and sunset each day.

Draw a map of the place you visit. This may be a physical map or a
political map. Add at least 5 details to your map. Be sure you put a
compass rose and map key on your map!

Get a map or maps. Using a pencil first, trace your route of travel from
Redmond to your destination. Be sure to include all side trips. Later
cover the pencil tracing with felt marker. If you fly to your destination, try
getting a state or city map and chart your travels within the city or state.

Draw a cartoon strip illustrating your events in your diary.

Memorize a poem that you came across during your travels. Recite it to
your family.

Find out about local food. Look at restaurant menus if you go out for a
meal. See if you can spot meal choices that we do not have in our local
area. Write them down. Describe what they are.

Find some interesting facts about the place you are visiting. Ask people
who live there. Make a list of the facts.