Stepping Stones Students Travel The World In Summer Program

Robyn Yorker’s students at the Stepping Stones summer program recently explored the Earth’s seven continents without having to leave their classroom.

The Blue Team virtually traveled to all corners of the world as they researched fun facts, famous places and tasty foods to sample as part of their multi-cultural lesson.

Using English language arts, social studies and other core academic areas, the students created their own passports for the trip and memories as they visited Asia, Europe, North America, South America, Antarctica, Africa and Australia.

During the first stop, in Asia, students learned about the Great Wall of China, Ramen from Japan, dumplings from China and Chak-Chak from Russia.

The next leg of the journey took them to the vast continent of Africa, where the Nile, the Sahara desert and amazing animals were found.

Using virtual reality goggles, the students then walked in a Congo rain forest.

Couscous from Morocco, Ugali from Tanzania and Jus de Fruit from Chad also all made for an amazing meal.

The worldly education continued as the students learned that Australia is the only continent with just one country on it and almost all of its people reside along the coastlines.

Outback Bread and lamington cakes were delicious food samples the students tried.

For South America, the Blue Team learned about the creatures and habitats in and surrounding the Amazon River.

The student expeditioners then arrived in Europe and focused on the country of Germany, learning about Berlin and the wall that once divided a city.

Foods on that stop included baked pretzels and sausage brats.

The continent of Antarctica, it was learned, has no countries and is the coldest, windiest and driest place on Earth.

Snow-cones were the perfect celebration for that.

Perhaps the most favorite continent was North America, and the students enjoyed pizza.

Yorker said the project came together with the full engagement of all students who had the opportunity to select a country they were interested in learning about and then they studied as a group.

Stepping Stones Day Program is a collaborative effort between the Center for Instruction, Technology and Innovation, and Hillside Children’s Center, which provides a structured, small-group environment to help students overcome challenges so they may return to their home school district.

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