Let's Head Out on a Virtual Adventure

 A New School Year: Around the world in weekly lessons

Each year I plan a framework with one theme for the whole year. Although I believe in being flexible and adapting to my students’ needs, I also want a structure to give us all an idea of where we are and where we are headed. This year my framework is… An Around the World Virtual Trip. With all this stay-at-home time, I know that I am ready to head out on an adventure to explore new places. Of course, this time it is all virtual.

One of the curriculum requirements for mother tongue lessons is to learn about the country where the language is spoken, in this case English. There are quite a few countries where English is spoken, and we will visit many of them virtually this year, spending one to two weeks in each country or place. You may be wondering what we will do in each country. Here is where the students get to choose and make decisions. Before we even “arrive” at each destination, we will send questions to someone living in the area or who comes from that area. They will film their answers to our questions and perhaps inspire us on what to see and do on our virtual visit. Thus, when we arrive, our first stop will be to watch the film, kind of like being met at the airport by a host/friend/tour guide. 

Then the students themselves can choose what to do, where to go and what they want to see. They can even search for specific places or things digitally. Personally, I am going to be looking for at least one geocache in each country and a great vegan restaurant. I can't wait to hear what my students want to see or do. The final assignment before leaving each country will be to add at least one page to an adobe spark video about that country and what they enjoyed there. With each student adding to the same video, we will get a very full video about each country finished for future enjoyment and viewing. Yes, there will be reading, writing, listening and speaking during our virtual trip as these skills are practiced inside the framework of the virtual trip.

I have printed the map for each of my students, so we can follow the route that I have already chosen. Of course, the students have a handout the first week to pack their suitcase. What do they need to bring? PS. If they find they forgot to pack something during the trip, we’ll just search for a store there and go pretend shopping. We also have handouts that I have made for each student to record what they did, etc in each place.  So, who is ready to head off with us on our virtual trip around the world? Our first stop is… California. What would you want to do if you visited California?