Elementary project: Travel scrapbook

No one can travel right now, so why not let kids take an imaginary trip? The project below is modeled on one I completed in second grade. I took an imaginary trip to London, and I remember loving this project so much that I still have it 31 years later to share with my own children.

I talked about this project with my kids today -- kindergarten and second grade -- and they are excited to dig in, so I decided to create a planning guide for them that I'm sharing via Google Drive and with you below. (The format is weird on Blogger, and I'm not taking more time to fix it, so I recommend using the Google Doc.) Happy travels.

Travel scrapbook

Directions:
1. Choose a country you would like to visit
2. Learn as much as you can!
3. Find answers to the questions below

Name of my country: _______________________________

My country is on this continent: _____________________________

My country is near these bodies of water: _________________________________

What is the climate like? Describe it in 3 words:
1. __________________________________
2. __________________________________
3. __________________________________

Population of my country: _____________________________________

Language(s) spoken: _________________________________

How do you say:
hello ________________________  
goodbye _________________________

please _____________________________
thank you ________________________________

Name of currency: _________________________________________

What is the food like? List 3 dishes that sound good to you:
1. ___________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________

What are 5 sites in the country you would like to visit?
1. ___________________________________________________________
2. ___________________________________________________________
3. ___________________________________________________________
4. ___________________________________________________________
5. ___________________________________________________________

How would you get to this country? _______________________

How much would it cost to get there? ______________________

Where would you stay in this country? ________________________

How much would it cost to stay there? _____________________

What are some other facts you learned about your country? List 3 below:

1)__________________________________________________________

2) __________________________________________________________

3) __________________________________________________________

Now it’s time to make your travel scrapbook!

Your scrapbook must include:
1. A map of your country

2. Fun facts (at least 3)

3. Travel information -- your ticket(s), reservation(s), packing list,
language guide (how to say hello, goodbye, please, and thank you in your country’s language)

4. 5 pictures of you at different places in your country. Write a caption for each picture. Include at least 3 facts in each caption.

5. A letter you’ve written to someone at home describing the best parts of your trip. Be sure to mention the climate and the food!

Indoor recess: GoNoodle

Recess and physical education are a super important part of the day, particularly with kids spending nearly all hours inside. Today, my kids decided to stretch out their morning language arts time by writing their own stories, so language arts and math time nearly collided. I needed a break, so I figured the kids did, too.

At their elementary school, they will sometimes use GoNoodle on YouTube for indoor recess time or for rewards for positive behavior. So, when I asked the kids today how they wanted to get some energy out between language arts and math, they both chose GoNoodle.

This is their current favorite video: PopSee Ko 2.0.

It's catchy, it's short, it's kind of funny, and it encourages movement and a much-needed break. I'll admit to joining my kids in a couple rounds of this, and it lifted my spirits, too.

Check out the GoNoodle YouTube channel for lots of other songs and games that are free and encourage kids to move and play.