Cross- Curricular Activities

Ask children to vote for the landmark they would like to visit the most from the story. Choosing from destinations in the story (France, Spain, Tokyo, Texas and Hawaii), tally up children’s. Allow children to represent the data by completing a bar graph.

How does the ukulele make music? Go on “tour” of a ukulele, either using realia (perhaps your music department has a ukulele or guitar to borrow), or head online to take a closer look.
Using a long string (1 yard/meter long) held taught by two child(ren), allow students to observe the string’s motion once “plucked,” (or use rubber bands for individual exploration).
Ask your child(ren) to share their observations (sight/sound). Focus attention on the string’s rapid motion, or vibration. Explain how this motion creates energy in the form of sound waves. Pretty cool, right?!

Travel Tips

Just for Kids

Whether you’re headed just across the corner, or all the way across the country, here are a few tips to keep in mind:

Take “mental” pictures.
Enjoy beautiful or unusual sights along the way. Can you tell if these are natural or created by people?
Listen for new sounds.
Can you locate what is making the noises?
Tune into talking.
Are people speaking the same language as you? If they are, do they say any words differently?
Follow the signs.
Do you know in which direction you will travel? Do you know the distance between your home and your destination?
Stay safe and aware.
Know your name/phone number. Stay close to your parents.

Discuss the sidebar in the guide. Ask your child(ren) what makes your city (state, country) distinctive. Ask your child(ren) about the physical characteristics and natural resources in your region. Can your child(ren) identify how these may shape the types of local jobs and industries?
Practice map skills using a city, state, or world map.

Grow vocabulary skills through a semantics activity. Start by selecting a pair of polar opposite words (example below: cold, hot).
Ask your child(ren) to help generate at least three synonyms for each of the starting words.
Challenge your child(ren) to arrange the synonyms between words in a way that logically bridges one opposite word to the other.

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