Episode 56: Road Trips - Part 2 - Educational Component
There are so many opportunities to learn on a road trip. We discuss the various fun, playful, and enriching ways to teach your children using educational tools before and during a road trip. (We dive in deeper to one enriching book series here.) During Coop Q & A, we discuss the question, "Why do elementary schools mostly focus on math and reading? What about science?"
Watch
Listen
Show Notes
*some of our recommendations may include affiliate links, which means when you order them from Amazon, we will receive a small commission.
There’s a wide variety of options for you to choose from to fit you and your young travelers’ interests.
Step 1: Curriculum
Social Studies
Historical - use Who was books and timelines to know who has gone before you! (We talk more about that on our blog post.)
People groups - indigenous, current
Landmarks - there might be a Where is book or a beautifully illustrated book about your next stop!
Geography/Ecology/Wildlife - my children loved this pop-up book about desert animals on our road trip
Literature - traveling in California? Scott O’Dell has a number of books, like Island of the Blue Dolphins and Sing Down the Moon among many.
Step 2: Fun Things
Gifts - who doesn’t want to earn one of these! Find them at the visitor center gift shops along the way for extra surprises. We also gifted our kids these headphones at one of the stops and helped them download their music and books to their tablets.
Playlists - music can bring back a well of memories later on in life. Develop that connection with a song list themed for your destinations.
Games - the Bag O’ Fun has you covered!
Child Educational Interests - What’s fun for your kiddos? Make sure you bring some of their favorite books or new ones and math wrap ups (my kids loved these for years) that peak their interests. My children loved this book, since it’s full of funny facts about each state.
DIY Enrichment Activity Book
Technology - preload your child’s tablet with her favorite book series, research a book for you all to “read” by listening together and discuss, and bring documentaries like Micro-Cosmos and Spell Bound to watch too.
Scavenger Hunt in the car (Jess said she might try it from waking up to getting into the car!)
Check out our road trip, car schooling, and homeschooling on the go blogs:
10 Tips for Road Trips: Planning
Favorite Enrichment Book Series: Who was…Where is…What is
Homeschool on the Go: A Checklist
Create New Experiences in Familiar Places
The Coop Homeschool is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for sites to earn advertising fees by advertising and linking to Amazon.com. See Disclosure Page for more information.