Travel and Learn
Home is our base but the world is our classroom
Home is our base but the world is our classroom
Introduction
Hi! I am Ty’ and we are the Adams Family. I have been homeschooling my 5 children ages 9 to 18, for the past 5 years with one graduate. We have gradually gotten into our very own rhythm. It has been some trial and error but that’s where the lessons come from. It has seemingly been a long time to but we are doing it! As the years progress and the children get older, directions change. Their learning styles are different, so we "school" different. In the beginning, it looked very traditional and that changed because our circumstances changed.
Over time as I got more settled into my work schedule, we adjusted accordingly. Yes, you read it correctly; I work. A full-time 40 hour a week job at that. We embrace our life’s circumstances, so we appreciate the flexibility of homeschool and the various homeschooling styles. We can be a bit traditional (just a bit), some unschooling, and just recently travel schooling, but just in the U.S. for now. I am not able to travel full time just yet, however this is a excellent way to gain our footing. Because I work, this is also family time. One of the reasons I have chosen for them to continue to school from home, even though I work, is because I appreciate the opportunity to be as involved as possible. Have a say in what is being taught, paying close attention to how they are developing, emotionally, academically, spiritually. The family check-in’s and discussions are vital to us.
People often ask how we do it, so we want to share our journey, inspire, as we get inspired and learn along the way. Our motto is that “Home is our base, but the world is our classroom”. Class is always in session as life is constantly teaching us. Now, let's travel and learn.
Planning and Budgeting
After deciding to take a road trip, I immediately started strategizing. Calculating my PTO hours, planning our trip around the moment I accumulate enough hours with some to spare (for unplanned events), making sure it includes a weekend, saving my hotel points to cover our stays and saving part of my tax refund to fund this excursion.
We knew Niagra Falls was going to be the ultimate destination, so we were open to where we stopped on our way. Ohio was another desired location so that helped me decide the route and what we could do in the area. I can make arrangements fairly quickly, as long as I have a set criteria. Let’s see...I have roughly 10 days, I need to allow myself 1 day to rest, we need to be safe, and we want to be comfortable.
The budgeting requires a bit more detail as there are 6 of us. I am driving so I need to have the required vehicle maintenance done. I estimate mileage, so I can calculate how many times I need to fill up. Where do I want to fill up? Is it in a back alley, with just 2 pumps? Some things I definitely over think but I want to consider all things.
Meal planning is a must. How many times will we eat out? How much food and what food will I pack for the trip? How much for the activities? So many things to take in consideration. Eventually, I came to the conclusion that I should determine my budget first and plan our activities around that. Doing it any other way could result in me overspending. The other key is sticking to my plan. But I also want the children to have a say, so they can enjoy themselves without it seeming to be a burden and therefore unable feel free to explore.
How to incorporate trip planning into lessons
What better way to teach the children about budgeting and all the above mentioned than to make them apart of the planning. Incorporating travel planning into lessons can be an engaging and educational way to teach a variety of subjects. Here are some ways we integrated this into our lessons, of course some teaching points were executed differently as I have elementary and high school aged children.
- Geography:
- Choose a destination and study its geography. Discuss the country's location, climate, topography, and natural features.
- Have your child create a map of the destination, marking major landmarks, cities, and geographical features.
- Mathematics:
- Create a budget for the trip. Include expenses such as transportation, accommodation, meals, and activities. This can involve addition, subtraction, multiplication, and division.
- Compare and contrast the costs of different modes of transportation or types of accommodation.
- Language Arts:
- Research and write about the history and culture of the chosen destination.
- Have your child create an itinerary for the trip, including detailed descriptions of each activity and location.
- History:
- Explore the historical significance of the destination. Discuss key events, historical figures, and landmarks.
- Research and present historical aspects of the destination in a creative way, such as through a story or a timeline.
- Science:
- Study the local wildlife or ecosystems of the destination. Create a nature journal documenting the different species your child might encounter.
- Explore any unique geological features of the region and discuss their formation.
- Social Studies:
- Investigate the customs, traditions, and societal norms of the destination. Compare and contrast them with your own.
- Discuss how tourism impacts local communities and economies.
- Art:
- Encourage your child to create a travel journal with sketches and descriptions of places they plan to visit.
- Explore local art and crafts from the destination and try to replicate or create similar works.
- Practical Skills:
- Involve your child in the logistical aspects of travel planning, such as booking accommodations, researching transportation options, and creating a schedule.
- Teach practical skills like reading maps, navigating transportation systems, and basic phrases in the local language.
- Culinary Arts:
- Explore the local cuisine of the destination. Have your child research and prepare a traditional dish from that region.
- Learn about the cultural significance of certain foods and how they are prepared.
- Technology:
- Use online resources for research, virtual tours, and language learning tools related to the destination.
- Create multimedia presentations or a blog documenting the travel planning process.
Here’s a link to a It served as an itinerary and travel guide to keep them engaged in the process. It helped further apply some of the above lessons.
How we pack and other packing tips
Did I mention there are 6 of us? I tip my hat to all the families that travel PERIOD let alone travel and school. This admiration goes to you whether you have 1 or 100 members in your family. I have watched YouTube and it is seemingly easy, only the reality is it’s only as easy as your system. Packing “light” is the goal, but we have to consider the length of the trip, the purpose and by what means are we getting there.
Most times we are driving so I pack for the van. Our family vehicle is a 2016 Kia Sedona. The younger children usually sit on the 3rd row, which allows each child to have enough space and therefore our bags have their space in the roomy luggage cargo area. Do you like how I’ve made our luggage the other passengers :) Another plus is the 60/40 split folding row that retracts to the floor (stow and go), so if we need quicker access to the food cooler for example, someone can move to the 2nd row and we set it beside the upright seat.
Now, theoretically this is more than enough space but somehow my children manage to over pack and so it’s more like I’m driving my son’s Ford Focus. Can’t image what that’s like? Google it! it’s too small for a mom, 3 young adults and 2 preteens.
Let’s face it, packing a vehicle for a family of 6 or any number can be a bit challenging, but with careful planning and organization, you can make the process smoother.
Select a State
Mini Bucket List
SOMEWHERE IN COLORADO
Colorado is renowned for its stunning natural landscapes. The state boasts picturesque mountains, including the iconic Rocky Mountains, as well as high plains, canyons, and beautiful alpine lakes. I READ OF The scenery THAT is particularly breathtaking.
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SOMEWHERE IN CANADA
WE WERE SO CLOSE! YOU CAN SEE IT FROM NIAGRA FALLS US SIDE. I AM NOT EXACTLY SURE WHERE TO VIST FIRST BUT WE WILL GET THERE.. WE ARE IN THE PROCESS OF DOING RESEARCH ON THE AREA. WE HAVE DECIDED TO LEARN A LITTLE FRENCH, MONEY CONVERSIONS AND BASIC CULTURE.
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SOMEWHERE ON THE WEST COAST OF AFRICA
WE HAVE DONE STUDIES OF EVERY REGION OF THE GREAT CONTINENT OF AFRICA. how amazing would it be to study beyond the text and see first hand
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