As second grade ends we’ve realized that if we had really climbed on a plane  and flew off to see the world to learn about other places and cultures we would have traveled many miles.   Our year of global learning has taken us to Australia and New Zealand to learn about the aboriginal people and Maori culture, about holidays, animals, and numbers around the world.  We realized we’ve studied many of the same things  and learned new things too!  We’ve learned about Vietnam, Philippines, China, Japan, Russia, Italy, England, Ireland, Sweden,  Canada, Africa (through Tom’s adventures the middle east countries and  many African countries), and 7 South America/Central America countries for Hispanic Heritage Month .  We learned how to count in several languages to ten.  We learned how to say hello and goodbye.   We learned that children in other parts of the world  celebrate some of the same holidays and some different, they may wear different clothes, talk in a different languages, (even speaking the same language English we found it difficult to figure out some meanings of words used), eat different foods, have different homes and play different games but we all enjoy many of the same things and learn from each other.   We’ve taken field trips around England with a Room with a View.  We’ve seen the ocean in Australia as they have gone on adventures and overnight stays.  We learned about rain forest, deserts, mountains, oceans, island, barrier reefs, volcanoes and weather around the world.

• What country looks like a boot?
• What country has Big Ben?
• Which countries are below the equator?  Which ones above the equator?
• Where would you find the Great Barrier Reef?
• Which country has the highest volcano?
• Which country has the longest river?
• What are archipelagos?  Where are they located?
• Where are the Himalayan mountains?
• Which of our blogging buddies is going on a micro-adventure and what are they doing?
• Where do people take their shoes off and set on the floor?
• Where do  you find the Maori culture?
• Where do you find a Red kangaroo?
• Where do you find a kimono worn?
• Which countries are bordered by two or more oceans?

We hope to continue our global learning in the future and visit more places.