💚A Security Guard, Jamaican Stories, and a Lesson My Students Won’t Forget


Hi Reader,

This week, our classroom “traveled” to Jamaica, and it turned into one of those days the students will remember for a long time.

Several of our students are of Jamaican descent and they brought in souvenirs from their travels there. We hung Jamaican flags up and put their items on display. One of the most meaningful parts of the experience was when our school security guard came in and shared stories about what it was like growing up in Jamaica. Hearing real stories directly from someone who grew up there helped the students connect to the country in a way books and videos simply cannot. It made Jamaica feel real, personal, and alive to them.

They asked thoughtful questions and loved hearing firsthand experiences from someone proud to share his home country with them.

And of course, bringing in a treat from that country is always an added bonus.

He surprised the class with Jamaican beef patties, and the reaction was priceless. Almost every student wanted seconds. Food has such a powerful way of helping kids remember an experience and connect it to a place.

We also pretended to visit Dunn's River Falls, which is a famous waterfall in Ocho Rios. Visitors can actually climb up the waterfall by holding hands with the person in front of and behind them.

Here are a few Jamaica facts kids especially loved learning this week:

• Jamaica is an island country in the Caribbean Sea
• The capital city is Kingston
• Jamaica is famous for reggae music
• The national colors are black, green, and gold
• Jamaica is known for beautiful beaches, waterfalls, and mountains
• The Blue Mountains are one of the most famous mountain ranges in Jamaica
• Jamaica is home to many tropical fruits including mangoes and bananas
• The country competed in bobsledding at the Winter Olympics
• English is the official language, and many people also speak Jamaican Patois
• Jamaica is known around the world for sprinting and track athletes

See how we “traveled” to Jamaica here.

As the school year starts winding down, I know many of us are feeling exhausted, emotional, excited, and overwhelmed all at once. I hope you are finding little moments of joy with your students during these final weeks together. How are you holding up as the end of the year gets closer? Has your summer vacation already started? Let me know!

Have a wonderful week,

Trisha DePasquale

I show teachers how to make kids feel like they're traveling the world. I've been teaching for 18 years and have spoken at educator conferences in multiple countries. My 30+ travel lessons are made for early childhood students and cover places aroudnd the globe 🌎

Read more from Trisha DePasquale

Hi Reader, Some lessons you plan for weeks. Others find their way to you. One of the most powerful experiences my students had this year happened when our class took an imaginary trip to Haiti, and one of my students' families made it more magical than I ever could have on my own. They sent in Haitian flags, traditional white cake, and Haiti's national soda, and in doing so, they gave our whole class a gift. The cake my student's family sent in Their daughter was absolutely radiant that day....

Hi Reader, Imagine telling your students they’re about to visit one of the most isolated islands on Earth. Easter Island, also known as Rapa Nui, sits alone in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, nearly 5 hours from the nearest mainland by plane. The island is famous for its enormous stone statues called Moai, and the mystery surrounding how they were created and moved still fascinates people today. No one knows exactly how these enormous statues were carved with such precision or how they were...

Hi Reader, This week I want to share with you a learning experience your students will never forget. It begins with curiosity. Ask students to bring in recyclable items like plastic bottles, milk jugs, and soda cans. When they ask why, simply tell them they will find out soon. Let the anticipation build. Choose one morning to completely transform your classroom before students arrive. Spread the items everywhere. Cover desks, place items under chairs, scatter them across the floor. It does...