Nations Classroom Blog

Many teachers refer to students as “my kids” because of the heart and soul that goes into helping them grow inside and outside of the classroom.

We hear this a lot when we're on student tours with teachers who want to provide new experiences for "their kids." They realize that student travel is different from a family vacation because it offers new opportunities for social and emotional growth.

Sometimes parents have to find a level of comfort with a child’s newly-found independence or school administration may not realize the full range of benefits these experiences provide. Here are a few ways to explain how educational travel helps students grow during their tween and teen years.

One of the highlights for students traveling on an educational tour is the chance to have a “sleepover” with friends away from home. Thrilling for them, but nerve-racking for some parents who may prefer to share a roof with their kids at all times.

Providing hotel guidelines will set expectations for students while reassuring parents who are sending their children on an overnight field trip.

Teachers organizing a class trip often need to plan ahead for two groups: the students who go on the  trip and those who don’t join the group due to behavior, family choice, or other reasons.

Planning ahead for the stay-back group will ensure their time has an educational focus that is aligned with the lessons being learned by their classmates. 

The Museum of the American Revolution in Philadelphia offers a thoughtful look at the impact of the musical Hamilton in this review of a new book that delves into the topic. 

"The genius of Hamilton lies in its ability to offer both those who have long owned the narrative and those who have been excluded from it a place in America’s foundational story. "