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What's A Travel Buddy?
Travel Buddy
Information
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What is a travel buddy?
Travel
buddies are soft toys that travel the world as representatives of the host
class. They are a cultural exchange with a single school or travel widely on a
path chosen by those who forward him to friends in other places. They usually
focus on one theme. They might include lesson plans and activities for the
visiting class and different activities for individual students to complete. On
the buddy's return home, the children will have a diary to read about the
buddy's adventures. Classes stay in constant touch with their buddy by
electronic mail.
How does the travel buddy
travel?
The
Travel Buddy sets off with a carry bag (or box) containing a letter of
introduction, a travel diary, and some letters and photos of its home
surroundings and classmates. It might include books and activities (lesson
plans) about the theme they are discussing. Of course, no traveler would be
without one of those disposable cameras.
What happens at the visiting
classroom?
When
the travel buddy arrives in the visiting class it is important to email the host
and tell them the buddy has arrived. (It would also be a good idea to email the
host and the next waiting class, when the buddy departs for the next location).
The
buddy should go home with the children to experience day to day life. Encourage
them to record their time together in the diary. Collect items from the day to
day events that the buddy experiences such as hand drawn sketches of its
adventures. After the week is up the class will mail it on to the next classroom
on the list. They might add to the journal, including information about the
community visited, and pictures with the disposable camera.
The hosting class might:
They
might send finished activities or projects on to the next school, that the host
class has completed if space permits.
When mailing
the buddy to the next classroom:
Travel
buddy parcels are precious. Be careful how much you add to the buddy package. As
he travels (and the weight increases) the cost rises due to the increase in
contents. Make sure that you have marked your parcel
clearly with
AIRMAIL in several places. If it is
not sent airmail that knows when it will next be seen.