This year, we started a new homeschooling tradition...going on a Mystery Trip!
Mommy plans the trip with 3 destinations. At least 2 of them are places that none of us have been to before. Locations are selected so that they are not far from each other, and something about them relate to what we are currently learning (in parentheses, below).
The kids are told how to dress in the morning, but not where they are going! We have a Mystery Trip song that we sing while we drive, too.
Our first Mystery Trip included:
* Eating a snack at a European Bakery. Yum! (German, French, Spanish, Italian)
* Visit to American River College and lunch on campus. (We like to visit college campuses and eat there!)
* A stroll through the Jensen Botanical Gardens, including the new scented herb garden for the blind. (Botany)
Our second Mystery Trip included:
* Attending the play "Much Ado about Nothing" (Reading Shakespeare).
* A walk through the downtown Cathedral in Sacramento (Ancient Greek, architecture, geometry and rose windows).
* Visit to University Art store -- what fun! (Picked up some citrus oil for wax painting project)
We plan to continue taking Mystery Trips this summer.
What a lot of fun. I've only done they mystery bit once or twice and may need to do some this summer. Once my girls really wanted to go to a water park. I instead had them pack bathing suits and took them to some water falls. They were amazed. I also enjoy doing curriculum-related trips. By beginning with what they are studying and then planning the trip, we've ended up in all sorts of places we might never have discovered.
ReplyDeleteMystery trips, how exciting and adventurous! I can't wait to hear about the next one, wish I lived closer to go on one with you.
ReplyDeleteWow what well rounded homeschoolers you have!!! Amazing!!
ReplyDelete~Samantha
Jennifer - That sounds like so much fun! What a great family adventure. My husband and I sometimes pick days during which one of us will plan the entire day and it is a surprise to the other.
ReplyDeleteOh, that's sound like so much fun!
ReplyDeleteBecca
Wonderful! You are so inspiring, Jennifer!
ReplyDeletelovely idea, very exciting.
ReplyDeletewe like to make a long list at the beginning of the year of all the places we'd like to visit.
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That is a great idea. I think that's something that I'm going to work into our year.
ReplyDeleteWe used to do mystery trips all the time when my daughter was younger. I loved mixing small things -- going to the park -- with big ones--a day trip out of town. She never knew what to expect!
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful mom you are! Such blessed children and so much fun.
ReplyDeleteWarm wishes, Tonya