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Learning Outside the Classroom

When students miss school due to extended travel plans or other reasons, it’s so important to make sure they continue to learn outside the classroom. While we, as teachers, understand the value of experiences gained from travel and time away from school, keeping up with academic work can help prevent students from falling behind and make their return to class smoother.

A collection of educational worksheets titled "On the Go Learning" for first graders, with various pencils, crayons, and other school supplies at the top.

Why It’s Important:

Communicating effectively with parents about the importance of continuing schoolwork during extended absences is key to ensuring that students stay on track.

Four people with backpacks stand hand in hand on a hilltop overlooking a vast mountainous landscape at sunrise.

Here are a few things you can share with your families.

  1. Consistency in Learning: Young learners benefit from routine. Extended time away from structured lessons can cause gaps in their understanding, especially in foundational skills like reading and math. Continuing to practice helps them retain what they’ve learned.
  2. Building Responsibility: Encouraging students to keep up with schoolwork teaches them accountability for their own learning. This can help instill important study habits they’ll carry with them throughout their education.
  3. Reducing Transition Time: When students stay on top of their work, they’re less likely to feel overwhelmed when they return to the classroom. They’ll be able to jump back into lessons with confidence instead of needing time to catch up.
  4. Avoiding Skill Gaps: Particularly in early grades, each lesson builds upon previous ones. Missing key concepts can create learning gaps that may affect future success in school.

Again, we totally understand there are reasons for kids to miss a day {or a week or two} throughout the year. So when that does happen, I like having a plan!

Ideas for How Students Can Continue Learning

Keep reading to find out some of my favorite ideas to use when you have a student who is out of the classroom.

On-the-Go Learning Packs

I’ve made it SUPER easy to send students off on a trip! I created independent practice activities that families can take along on trips. Each On the Go Learning pack has 20 days {and there are two packs available so you can really support your students for up to 40 days of extended vacations}

A desk with school supplies and worksheets on various subjects, including numbers, farm animals, and hemispheres.

On-the-Go Learning was designed to make sure students are still growing and learning even when they are not in your classroom. Each pack is filled with 4 weeks of complete lessons to send with your students (via email or by printing out the work!)

20 complete days of learning are included!

Here’s the breakdown for each On-the-Go Learning Pack:
• 20 Reading Comprehension Passages (with two levels included for each passage to meet the needs of your students)
• 20 Days of Writing Prompts. (I’ve included primary lined paper with prompts, lined paper with prompts and blank paper if you’d prefer to let students free write each day.)
• 10 Days of Science Lessons
• 10 Days of Social Studies Lessons
• An Optional Reading Log
• A Note to Parents {2 Versions}
• Two Cover Options to send home
• A List of Online Resources to extend learning if desired

While the concepts may not always line up with what you’re working on in class, they cover the important foundational skills that you’ll teach throughout the year.

A collection of educational worksheets for kids on a desk surrounded by colorful school supplies including markers, notebooks, and scissors. Worksheets cover topics like place value, weather, and symbols.

These packs are designed to use as many or as few days as you may need to share with a family. And more importantly, to make your life easy!

Other Ideas to Prep for Families

Travel Journal

Encourage students to keep a travel journal. They can write about their experiences, places they’ve visited, and what they’ve learned.

Young child with red hair and purple shirt sits against a tree while writing in a small notebook outdoors.

This not only supports writing practice but also allows them to engage in creative expression and reflection that ties into their travels.

Math Fact Practice

Students can use apps or printable fact fluency games to practice addition, subtraction, or other relevant math skills. Providing a list of websites or printable worksheets ensures they can practice no matter where they are.

Reading Challenge

Create a reading challenge where students track the books they read while away. You can suggest a variety of genres or books related to their travels, encouraging both enjoyment and comprehension practice.

Related: Reading Fluency Strategies and Activities

Keep Parents in the Loop

Be Proactive and Clear

Reach out as soon as you learn about the upcoming absence. Send a clear message that explains the importance of maintaining learning routines and outlines your plan to support their child while they’re away. You could say something like:

“I understand that [student’s name] will be away from school for [X amount of time]. To ensure they continue progressing in their learning, I’ll be providing some activities they can work on while they’re away. This will help [student’s name] transition back smoothly when they return to class.”

Explain the “Why” Behind Continuing Learning

Help parents understand why it’s essential for their child to stay engaged academically during their absence. You could highlight points like:

  • Continuing learning helps prevent students from falling behind.
  • It ensures they are prepared to rejoin the class seamlessly upon their return.
  • It reinforces responsibility and independent learning skills.

This helps parents see the value in supporting their child with schoolwork while away.

Set Realistic Expectations

It’s important to communicate that the goal is for their child to engage with learning, but it doesn’t have to mirror a full school day. Provide an estimate of how much time their child should spend on work each day. For example, you could suggest:

  • 10-15 minutes of reading
  • A math review
  • A daily writing prompt or reflection on their experience

This helps parents understand what is manageable without overwhelming them or their child.

Maintain Open Communication

Let parents know they can reach out to you if they have any questions or need support. Offering to check in via email or a brief video chat during the absence can show you’re available to help their child stay on track.

Provide Encouragement

Reassure parents that travel and time away can be a valuable learning experience on its own. Encourage them to tie their child’s assignments into their trip and remind them that the work doesn’t need to be perfect, just consistent.

So while it’s not ideal when students miss out on classroom time, these suggestions will give your families a way to keep their child learning when they can’t be in the classroom with you.

And if you’re ready to make it easy for you to support your students, check out the On-the-Go Learning packs.

Do you have any tips to share when students travel?

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