What if your parents decided to take you out of school for one year to travel the world? The trip wouldn't be all 5-star accommodations. There would be adventure and everyday would be a learning experience.
This is exactly what my cousin and his family are doing this year. After a year of planning, a few weeks ago, Bryan, his wife, Molly, and sons, Dorian and Julian took off on the adventure of a lifetime. Dorian is a seventh-grader, and Julian is a fifth-grader. They are learning on the road this year!
Check out their blogs, comment if you wish, and follow their adventure.
The Family Blog
Dorian's Blog
Julian's Blog
Would you ever want to embark on a journey like this?
Hi Mrs. Powers,
ReplyDeleteI think it's soo cool that the children get to take a whole year off from school and see amazing sites and places. If I were offered that I would totally do it. I would lovve to go around the world and see all these amazing sites. Do the kids just skip their current grade, or will they continue next year.
Yuval S. Period 3
I saw this on the news! Amazing! I'm not sure if I would do it, though. I mean a whole year? That is crazy. But it is a once in a lifetime opportunity...I would do it, but only if I could bring my computer and phone to keep in touch! HAHA
ReplyDeleteRyan Greenberg Period 6
Wow! I'm sure that leaving school and traveling the world to learn is a great learning experience, but I also feel that part of learning is group projects and interacting with your peers. Although seeing the Wonders of the World in person would be amazing, it wouldn't feel like traditional school which is what most kids are used to, but that is pretty awesome!
ReplyDeleteMarina Rubio Period 6
Aina Rivas period 2
ReplyDeleteI would love to go around the world for a year, not only would it be amazingly fun, but i would be an important learning experience. also, collages look for bilingual and trilingual people and going around the world would be the perfect setting for learning a new language.
I think that is amazing, and I would most definitely take that trip. Traveling around the world, learning so much about other cultures! Thats really cool and that family is so lucky to have this oppurtunity!
ReplyDeleteAlison H. pd 3
Traveling the world for a whole year would be awesome. I enjoy learning about different cultures and places. So, being able to see all of those historical and natural wonders would be terrific.
ReplyDeleteLawrence X.-Per. 3
I think this is probably one the coolest things I've ever heard of!!! This is a great way to learn about cultures, languages and other people's way of life. I mean we all learn about cultures and all that stuff, but no matter what grade we get on the test we never really comprehend it until we see it for ourselves. It's a great learning opportunity and it think that if I was offered something like this i would no doubt say yes. I think that these kids are extremely lucky cause this really is the adventure of a lifetime.
ReplyDeleteJuana D. Period 6
That is so cool! That sounds really interesting! If given the opurtunity, I'm not sure it I would do it though. I mean I kind of like just staying at home, being with my friends, and learning at school. But, then again, it would be amazing to see the world and learn about all the different cultures of places. Wow!
ReplyDeleteLauren White
Period 2
I agree with Ryan that the trip would be the experience of a lifetime. Forget deciding to go or not, this is a no-brainer. Learning things is much more fun when you're actually experiencing it. That's why trips like the Washington D.C. trip seems so interesting, I think.
ReplyDeleteRodolfo H. Period 4
Did you all look at the blog? It is really cool. They are being home-schooled for the year. They are getting social studies and science curriculum from the trip. They are reading novels related to the places they are going; they are writing blogs; Dad is teaching them math curriculum. When they return to Denver, they will have completed the school year, and they will move to the next grade. It is pretty cool.
ReplyDeleteI just wonder how they got all the resource to finance the trip. Seems like we're talking possibly in the millions here! Anyways, I thought that the photos from the Galapagos Islands were very nice.
ReplyDeleteRodolfo Higa, Period 4
I would definitely do that trip. You get to travel around the world for one year and then just go join school again in the grade you are supposed to be in, with the same people. That is really cool!
ReplyDeleteNoa Saint-Marc
Period 5
While we don't have a cell phone, we do have Skype accounts which has helped us to make inexpensive phone calls and free skype calls. Email is indispensible. We keep in touch with our family through email and our blogs. There are internet cafe's everwhere. Right now I am writing this from the jungle in Ecuador where there is an internet cafe for 60 cents per hour. As for the cost? Well it is definitely way lower than millions, but that is because we are wearing backpacks with all of our stuff and we are staying in inexpensive hotels called hostels, and guest houses. Sometimes we will even camp. To save the money, for 3 years we put away money rather than buying new cars and new clothes. We bought used things instead, and travelled around Colorado in our car for vacations rather than flying to expensive places. We put away money for those 3 years and then made this happen. We definitely miss our family, but we are going to see different family members about every three months when they travel to places we will be. The other thing that is so useful is online banking. I can check my bank account, move money, send checks, all online. And we have a very small computer called an Acer, that is cheap and easy to use. I am glad to read all of your comments and definitely feel free to read our blogs and send comments to our boys. They love to read and reply to the comments.
ReplyDeleteHi Mrs. Powers,
ReplyDeleteThis is Yumi Rivas from your period 2. I think its so cool how students get to take a whole year off from school and travel around the whole world. If I were given this opportunity i would definitely do it.
Hi Ms. Powers,
ReplyDeleteOh my gosh that sounds SOOO fun!!! To be able to leave school and travel around the world for a year?! That would be so awesome! I'd love to do that! :)
-Mira Merchant, p. 3
Hey guys - My cousin, Bryan, answered some of your questions! :-) Like I keep telling you, technology is AMAZING!
ReplyDeleteWow! I guess they aren't couch potatoes. I wonder how many languages they know, or at least how many they are going to learn. Well, not learn but just learn a few words. . . oh! you know what I mean. Well, I hope they have fun and not get air sick, car sick, train sick, or whatever their traveling in. I hope they get to ride different animals, like elephants in India or where you can ride an elephant. Oh, and I wonder if they'll get grossed out by some of the foods in different countries since other countries serve stuff like frogs, snails, and other stuff. For me it's just that if it's edible and tastes good I'll eat it (well most of the time). Okay well tell them good luck and have fun and all that other stuff.
ReplyDelete- Maggie M. Period 6
Just a thought- could these kind of arrangements be made in Florida to take the year off for homeschool, and go to the next year without any probems? Or would you have to take the FCAT in advance, or what would you have to do? Just a thought; an answer would be greatly appreciated.
ReplyDeleteRodolfo Higa Period 4
Wow this is amazing it sounds so cool.
ReplyDeleteDid they bring a tutor with them so they could get caught up. I would really miss all my friends though. That would be the only thing holding me back
Max B Pd 6
Wow! That is a very long trip for one whole year. It sounds interesting, yet, you would think those people would miss all of their family and friends back home. Also, how would they get all of their school work done. It sounds like fun but way too long of a trip.
ReplyDeleteMeredith Sheldon
Period 3
I think that it is amazing to travel around the world for one whole year! I would definitely want to do that if I had the chance. I think that it would be so cool to see all different places and I would love to be able to have such amazing adventures with my family. I think I would miss my friends a lot, not being able to see them for a year! I would love to try food from all around the world! I would enjoy learning about other people and their culure.
ReplyDeleteLindsey Jacobs Period 6
I think that this is an amazing opportunity to learn about different cultures. I've always been fascinated in learning about new cultures because I've never gone to a trip outside the United States or Venezuela. It would also be an opportunity to learn a new language like I've always wanted to learn French and Italian. I would take the trip without hesitating.
ReplyDeleteAna Corina G.
Period 2
Wow! That seems like an amazing opportunity! Not just because of leaving school, because that would a be a year of school missed, but traveling the world sounds seriously fun! In my eyes, it's a hands-on way of learning many of the subjects that teachers try to teach without having the students experience it. That is a very amazing opportunity for the family, and I hope they have an awesome year!
ReplyDeleteElizabeth Schwartz Period 6
This would be without a doubt the coolest school year any kid could ever have, I mean who would turn down the opportunity to learn social studies and science hands on, visiting the places the text books talk about. On the other hand it would be pretty costly to provide the funds for this extravagant trip which is fun and learning
ReplyDeleteMichael Gillman Period 2
This just really cool; to be going around the world for a whole year, and not end up missing things, but finishing the school year AND seeing the sights around the world. I think those kids are really lucky, eve though they had to give up some stuff for three years to save up to this. By the way, the pictures are really nice.
ReplyDeleteWow! Taking a whole year off and traveling around the world would be incredible! It would also be amazing to be able to learn on the road in each different place that you visit. If the opportunity came up, I would not miss out on this experience of a lifetime!
ReplyDeleteJustin Mitchel P.6
This is so cool! What an amazing opportunity for the family to be able to do this! If i had the chance i would definitely take this trip. My parents and I travel a lot but the maximum we have ever been gone is 2 months. Taking an entire year off to visit different places with so much history and so much to see is fantastic.
ReplyDeleteI hope your cousin and his family have a great time on the rest of their trip. :)
- Andrea K period 4
You all should check out their blogs (links in my post) and follow them. Dorian and Julian love to read and reply to the comments, and it's helping them with their schooling.
ReplyDelete@ Rodolfo - Yes, home school is an option in Florida. I do not know all the specific details, but I do believe that at the end of the year, all home-schooled students have to take the FCAT in order to prove they have mastered the concepts for their grade levels.
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure, but I think Julian and Dorian may have to take some type of similar end-of-the-year test when they return to Denver. (Bryan?)
@ Max - They don't have a tutor. Their teachers are their parents. They do have a curriculum and standards they need to meet, but they are meeting many of them just from their experiences.
Wow! Julian and Dorian are lucky to be able to go on this trip. I would definitely choose to go on that trip. I mean, it's a once in a lifetime chance (considering the amount of money it probably costs) and it’s an exciting way to learn. I love to travel, and it would be a dream come true to be able to travel the world for a WHOLE YEAR, but still completing the school year! What I want to know, is if they had to get special permission from the school or some other place to be able to take this trip. Also, if Julian and Dorian are still keeping in contact with their friends back in school.
ReplyDeleteAndrea De Abreu
P.4
For me, this is "one-of-those-dreams-that-you-always-think-about-but-you-know-will-never-happen," dream. It would be so amazing to experience the culture of the world, yet unless if you can afford the trip while not generating any money for a year, just keep dreaming. It's not going to happen. If you start eating into your 401K, I guess you could be good.
ReplyDeleteThe farthest I've ever been is Cozumel, Mexico. Not very far.
-Alex Israel
per.6
@ Andrea - Read the other comments and their blogs!
ReplyDeleteAllison Blake period 3
ReplyDeleteWow! that's so cool! i would love to go around the world and see new things. Learning school on the road would be cool too! I would definitely take a trip like that!
I think it would be really cool to take a year to go around the world and see all of the things they saw. I would definatly want to go on that trip.
ReplyDeleteDylan Luxenburg Period 2
I think that its so cool that Dorain and Julian's parents let them pack up and take off school for a year of adventure. It's so exciting studying at a new place everyday. Experiencing a whole new world and defintely new foods sound good to me. I know that my dad would never let me do that.
ReplyDeleteStephanie Mahadeo Period 3
Thanks Mrs. Powers-
ReplyDeleteJust like Stephanie said, I doubt any of our parents would let us embark in of these trips. I think that these kinds of stories make up good set-ups for movies. But I wonder, when they went to Ecuador, did they eat the edible ant? The picture makes them look like two raisins on legs.
-Rodolfo Higa Period 4
A whole year!? It would be so cool to travel around the world and learn...I don't think i would have the guts to do it. Julian and Dorian are extremely lucky to have that opportunity! I think it would be a really beneficial way to learn hands on. I hope your relatives enjoy the trip!
ReplyDeleteSamantha G period 4
Dear Mrs. Powers
ReplyDeleteThis is really one of my dreams to travel around the world to discover different cultures and languages. This is a really neat and unique situation that I'm sure anyone would enjoy experiencing. At a young age like Dorian's and Julian's, this is truly giving them a great exposure to the world around them. It would be great to learn in different places around the world for a whole year just like them. This trip is also great for guidance for high school, college and probably even future jobs. I know this journey could completely change a persons life and I do hope to do something like this someday. I wish your family good luck, and a fun and educational time on this trip.
Alyssa M period 2
I think those children are so lucky that they get to enjoy an experience like that. They might miss school for a year but they will learn from it more than school can teach them. Also, the experience will last a life time and they will never forget it.
ReplyDeleteEvan
What an incredible opportunity!!!! I know everyone has been posting about how the trip will be such an amazing learning experience, and I completely agree, but imagine how much FUN it would be! I would jump at the chance to travel around the world! I'm particularly jealous that they got to go to the Galapagos; did you see how close they got to the animals? I wonder if they'll keep in touch with anyone they meet on the way. I'm also curious as to where they fit in time for school. It seems like their days are pretty jam-packed. I will definitely follow their trip. Thanks for posting this Mrs. Powers!
ReplyDeleteLauren Goboff
Period 3
This sounds amazing! My lifelong dream is traveling around the world and exploring new places. If I was given this opportunity, I'd definitely take it but it would be hard to be away from family and friends for that long. Also, being home schooled would be such a hassle but hey, going on a trip like this may be all worth it in the long run. Julian and Dorian are very lucky kids to be able to do this at such a young age and they'll be able to experience things that many people would die to see. Lucky them!
ReplyDeleteVictoria B. 4(:
That sounds super cool! If i ever had the chance to take a trip around the world I would most definitely say yes. It must be a whole different experience to see some of the stuff that we probably see in textbooks.I agree with some of the other comments though, it would be tough as a child used to a normal school environment to up and leave for a whole year and not be interacting with your friends and family.
ReplyDeleteMrs. Powers and Class of '11, I would totally get up and take a trip around the world, even if it meant I couldn't be hooked up to my computer 24/7. I would love to experience different cultures and learn a little bit about people from everywhere. As a member of the PHS International Club, I believe world peace can be possible, but only if we are willing to educate ourselves about others.
ReplyDeleteNicollette Gonzalez, Plantation High School
Hey Mrs. Powers, as much as that would be an awesome trip, I don't think that I would like to embark on a journey like that. I mean thats a long time to be away from home. I think that I would miss everything here. Also, it would be hard to catch up in school in everything. Even if I was being homeschooled or learning on the road like they are, I dont think that I could do it.
ReplyDeleteKevin Scott Period 5
WOW! I find it really cool that they get to travel around the world. I think I would take the offer, but then again, I would have to be put in the situation... :). Hiw do they deal with school, though? Because if they have to make up the year, I might rethink my opinion... :P.
ReplyDelete-Isabel Hofmann; Pd4
Pretty cool! I think I would take the offer, although I'm not sure. I mean, that's a long time away from home, friends, and family. Also, I wonder how they manage with school...
ReplyDelete@ Kevin & Isabel - Thanks for participating in the blog. However, remember participation for extra credit is required throughout the quarter (not simply the last week of the quarter). Your comment is over a month since the the blog was originally posted!
ReplyDeleteMrs. Powers, I am not trying to get more points, I just never read this post and just realized it. I think it is an outstanding and most certainly irresistible opportunity. I was looking through their blogs and thought to my self, "Man, I wish I could do that for a year or two." I was looking at the pictures and really thought they were extremely awesome, I personally like the pictures from Machu Picchu.
ReplyDelete--Daniel Greenberg Period 5
P.S. I spelled opportunity correctly. XD