Last week we reflected on our travels to Mexico, where we explored traditions and customs centered around Dia de los Muertos. To introduce our Social Studies theme, “Study Abroad”, Miss DellaValle shared some of her experiences while studying (and living) abroad in beautiful places such as Italy, Thailand, Greece, Austria, London, Germany, Spain, France, and Hungary. Miss DellaValle also explained how different countries have different rules for traveling, but all require a passport.

Students got to investigate Miss DellaValle’s passport and try to identify various features of a passport. Students especially found the various stamps from different countries (and in different languages) to be quite interesting.  The second graders were also excited to see Miss DellaValle’s picture and personal information (ha!).

Students also had an opportunity to share places that they have been and whether or not that place required a passport (or visa). As a class, we concluded that passports aren’t needed to visit cities or states within the United States, even if you fly across the ocean to visit Hawaii. You only need a passport if you are traveling outside the country.

To “officially” begin our adventures studying abroad, we located Mexico on the map (once more) and determined that we would, in fact, need a passport to travel there. So, we created our own!

Second graders recorded their personal identification information, created a signature, received their Mexico stamp, and located Mexico on their personal map of the world so they can visually keep track of the countries they visit.

Here’s to more happy travels!

Here’s to more happy travels!