Hi Reader,

This week we brought Alaska into our classroom, and it ended up being one of those magical days that reminds you why hands-on learning matters so much.

My goal was simple. I wanted my 5 and 6 year old students to be able to explain the aurora borealis and understand what winter life can be like in Alaska. For kids growing up here in south Florida, that lifestyle feels almost impossible to imagine: dark winter days, snow everywhere, people traveling by dogsled, and some homes without running water.

And yet, once they stepped into our classroom, it suddenly felt real to them.

I did a partial classroom transformation using things I already had. A wintry backdrop scene went on one wall. White plastic tablecloths covered our tables to look like snow. I used black butcher paper to black out our windows. Students added their own artwork around the room, and our Christmas tree added to the cozy winter feeling.

But the biggest surprise for my students was a light projector that displayed the aurora borealis across our walls and ceiling. We kept the lights off as much as possible throughout the day so we could watch the colors glow above us. It created such a peaceful, calming atmosphere. The kids loved looking up throughout the day while we talked about the northern lights. Hearing them pronounce “aurora borealis” might have been my favorite part. Here's the link to the projector - several of my classroom parents have already asked for it!

The best part is that we did not change our schedule at all. We simply went through our normal lessons in a different atmosphere. The transformation helped bring the learning to life without adding stress to the day.

Later in the afternoon we took our Passport Adventure to Fairbanks, Alaska. Students learned about hot springs, dogsledding, reindeer, snowmobiling, and snowshoeing. They were fascinated to learn that many people in Alaska live in dry cabins, homes without running water or electricity. We compared that lifestyle to how we live here in Florida, and the conversations were incredible.

This lesson was inspired by my recent trip to Fairbanks, and I am so excited to share that Passport Adventures: Fairbanks, Alaska will be released in the coming weeks.

To celebrate the upcoming release, I’m going to send this lesson for free to the first three teachers who reply to this email and are willing to send me a short testimonial after using it in their classroom.

And remember, you do not need to transform your classroom to make this meaningful for your students. Even small touches, a photo, a short story, a discussion, or a quick activity, can open the door to a completely new part of the world for your students.

If you have not downloaded it yet, don’t forget to grab your free Passport Adventures: Holy Week and Beyond lesson. It’s a meaningful way to explore Biblical history with kids leading up to Easter.

Thank you for everything you do to spark curiosity and wonder in your classroom. When we help children imagine places beyond their own backyard, we are helping them build empathy, curiosity, and a lifelong love of learning.

Your students are lucky to have you.

Have a wonderful week of teaching and exploring the world together.

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