4-10-2020 Street View Treks

I once had the amazing opportunity to go on a ten day camel safari in Samburu National Park in Kenya.  We traveled through the desert by camel each day and then camped under the stars each night.  From our tents we could hear lions roaring in the night.  That was quite an adventure.

Although not like being there in person, going on virtual treks can be a really cool way to learn about a place.  Google Street View Treks lets you jump into the scene in places all over the world to explore and learn.  You can go scuba diving in the Great Barrier Reef, soar through the air in the International Space Station or follow the paths of elephants in Samburu, Kenya.

Perhaps these virtual adventures will inspire you to travel there in person one day.

Go to Google Street View Treks and pick an adventure.
Read about the special places and be sure to click on the links to explore.  That will take you to a Google Street View Map where you can move the picture around and get a 360 degree view of the area.  Follow the arrows and you can travel even further into the picture.  Here is a street view picture from Samburu.  This trek takes you on an adventure with scientist who are working to protect the elephants from poachers.  Look around, what do you see?  What do you wonder? 

Martha Thornburgh: Mount Vernon Schools Teaching and Learning

4-9-2020 Chalk Walks

Last summer I went to a Chalk Walk.  Artist from all over were creating masterpieces in chalk on the sidewalk.  It was really fun to watch and amazing to see.  Here are a few of my pictures from that day.

I have been seeing a lot of really great ideas for having fun and learning with sidewalk chalk.  Many families are going for walks in their neighborhood to get out of the house and get some fresh air.  You could write friendly and encouraging messages on the sidewalk outside your house to bring smiles to the walkers.  Here are some other fun ideas.

photo from abc7news.com

• Write trivia questions to make them think. 
• Tell a story.
• Draw a comic strip.   
• Write a joke to make them laugh.
• Share  a kind word to make them smile.

Another fun idea I have seen is to create a sensory walk.  It is kind of like a long, extended Hop Scotch.  Take the walkers on an adventure as they follow your directions through the maze or obstacle course that  you create.  Here is a fun video of a lady sharing the Sensory Walk that she created in her neighborhood.  (note: She drew her walk on the street and not the sidewalk.  That could be dangerous.  I recommend doing this on the sidewalk or other space where there is no danger from cars. ) This sensory walk would be fun to create, fun to follow and fun to watch the walkers in your neighborhood follow as well.  

No sidewalk chalk?  Here is a recipe for creating your own sidewalk chalk. 

Martha Thornburgh: Mount Vernon Schools Teaching and Learning

4-8-2020 American Sign Language

Check out Savannah as she sings a song in American Sign Language. People learn sign language to communicate with those who can not hear well.

You can learn how to spell words with the American Sign Language alphabet.

• Practice spelling your name with the ASL alphabet.  
• Can you write a sentence? 
• When might it be helpful to know American Sign Language? 
• Learn how to say some other phrases in ASL.  

Martha Thornburgh:  Mount Vernon Schools Teaching and Learning

4-7-2020 Visit a Museum

/Take a look around this 360 degree picture. 
Museums are full of amazing pieces of art. Take a virtual tour of the Louvre in France. Choose a painting and notice and wonder what kind of story the artist is trying to tell. Here is a LINK to thirty virtual tours of museums and aquariums for you to tour with lots to choose from and describe.

• Write a story based on picture you like.
• Draw or Paint a picture in the same style.
• Can you take a photo that recreates the image?
• This museum is in Paris, France. Can you learn how to say something in French?

MaryEllen Huggins: Mount Vernon Schools Teaching and Learning

4-6-2020 Passion Project

Thanks to Matt Miller for this great graphic reminding us that there are many awesome ways to keep learning even when we can't be in school and even when we might not be able to work on a computer.  I really like number 3.  Start a passion project. 

• What is something that you would like to know more about? 
• What is something that you care about a lot? 
• What could you do to help others and make the world a better place? 
• What could you create that you would be really proud of?  

Whether you are a Kindergartner or just about to graduate, you could do something awesome this week.  What type of Passion Project would you like to start? 

Read more about the ideas in this infographic here.  

Martha Thornburgh: Mount Vernon Schools, Teaching and Learning