Kidlink English  Help | Contact Us | Contents | Teachers' home | Help Us? | Privacy | About Us | Search | Log In

Historical Page

KIDFORUMs

Virtual Vacation
 Sept. 1 - Oct. 31 1997

Presentation Page

  • Moderators for the topic are:

    Mary Esborn, USA at: maesborn@connix.com

    David McArdle, Australia at: waylander@mackay.net.au

    Presentation of the Topic

  • Description

    What an offer! Tour the world! No Cost. No packing. No flights to miss. No worry!!
    Here is a way to visit other countries in the world without leaving home!
    Those expecting visitors don't have to clean their room!

  • First Step:

    The objective is for students to write a descriptive essay about your area and send it to the KidForum list.

    Some things you might want to include are:

    - the global address (longitude and latitude) of the place,
    - population, population density and any other interesting facts.
    - describe the things you like to do, places you like to go, any landmarks,
    - famous people that might come from your area,
    - any historic events that may have taken place in or near your area.
    - plan a 3 day visit for guests your own age.
    - where would you take them? What would you feed them?
    - can you send a photograph or picture?
    - design a poster advertising your tour and send it via email to Kidforum
    - include a menu or a recipe of a favourite local food.
    - what airlines are available?

  • Second Step:

    Students, after reading all the essays received, write to the Kidforum list saying which place you would like to visit and asking any questions about how to get there,

    - what kind of clothes to bring,
    - what will the weather be like?
    - how much money, what kind (ore`, yen, lira, mark, etc.),
    - any other information necessary for a successful trip.
    - any common local language phrases which might be useful

    As much as possible, search online resources for your travel information.

  • Third Step:

    Students expecting virtual visitors should develop a travel schedule with a description of the places you will take your guests.
    Ask visitors questions about places they would like to visit in your area.
    Find out when and where they will arrive.
    Do you have to provide transportation from the airport?
    What arrangements do you need to make for them?
    Are there any things we should avoid that might offend our visitors?
    Any foods you should not serve?
    What is their favorite music? Sport? Movie?

  • Fourth Step:

    Virtual Visits will take place with students writing back and forth discussing what they are seeing and asking questions about what they have seen.
    Meetings of travellers in IRC #travel channel are planned so travellers can talk about what they are doing.
    IRCs will take place on Wednesday Septemeber 24 and October 22. These dates may be changed to meet requirements of participants.

    At any point in the project, exchange of postcards, pictures,travel brochures, posters,and videos of places visited or to be visited would be great!
    These would make a wonderful bulletin board display!

    How to join Kidforums Virtual Vacation:

    First of all the children should send an answer to the 4 KIDLINK questions:

    1) Who am I?
    2) What do I want to be when I grow up?
    3) How do I want the world to be better when I grow up?
    4) What can I do now to make this happen?

    The answers should be sent to RESPONSE@LISTSERV.NODAK.EDU and NOT to the KIDFORUM list.

    If they have already answered the questions they do not have to do it again.

  • Possible ways to use VV in other areas:

    Here are some ideas for other uses for the data collected through the Kidforum Travel Project.

  • Language:

    Make a simple dictionary of common phrases for students who do not speak your language :

    Good Morning
    How much does this cost?,
    Numbers 1 - 10
    Where is .....?
    What time is it?
    And any other words or phrases you think are important.

  • Math:

    Using facts about their areas, classes can create word problems to be solved by others during the course of this KidForum topic.

    Example: Guilford, Connecticut was founded in 1639, how old is it now?

    Students can exchange graphs and charts created using data gathered.

    Example: Graph comparing population of each place.

    Work on the 24 hour clock, GMT and figure out the best time for everyone to meet on KidLink IRC?
    How long will it take to get where you are going?

    Exchange rates for different money.

  • Compare and contrast:

    How are places the same?
    How are they different?
    There are many other domains and subdomains to explore.

  • Social Studies:

    Students may research a famous person or historical event from their location to be shared with others during the course of this KidForum topic.

    Once relationships are established through the KidForum, it would be wonderful if they would continue by direct email throughout the year!

  • Participation

    In case you are not subscribed to KIDFORUM list, than please send the command

    subscribe KIDFORUM "your name"

    to: LISTSERV@LISTSERV.NODAK.EDU

    Adult supervisors and teachers should subscribe to the KIDFORUM-COORD list so they can plan and solve any problems that may come up during the Virtual Vacation.

    Please send the command:

    subscribe KIDFORUM-COORD "your name"

    to: LISTSERV@LISTSERV.NODAK.EDU

    * width=45 height=46 Go to the KIDFORUMS Home Page

    Information Contact Point: Tor Arne Richvoldsen, rich@axp1.pmddata.no, Kidforum Manager.

    * Go to the KIDLINK Home Page

    The KIDLINK name and logo are service marks of the KIDLINK Society.
    Reg.no. 976 536 258 - Enhetsregisteret, Norway.

    Page maintained by Kidforum Manager, Tor Arne Richvoldsen - rich@axp1.pmddata.no
    Comments to: The KIDLINK Webmaster
    Updated - August 12th 1997