Cross curricular: Happy holidays

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By Robin Warren — primary teacher and freelance writer

As the holiday season draws near, develop children’s thinking and organisation skills with this fun cross-curricular project

Everyone loves a holiday – so, with summer approaching, why not have some fun using this creative holidays project? It offers a wide range of exciting, real-life activities that reach into many areas of the curriculum. There are so many factors to take into consideration when planning a holiday: destination, price, type of holiday, temperature, clothing, and equipment. Add to this the range of booking options out there – travel agents, holiday brochures, Teletext and the internet – and there’ll be plenty to keep the children’s minds occupied. Before the project begins, ask the children to think about where they have been on holiday and to bring in postcards, souvenirs, photos or even holiday videos to share.

ACTIVITIES Ages 7-11

1. On the map

Begin by looking at large maps of the world and the British Isles. Revise basic locations such as your own locality, capital cities, countries and other areas that the children know. Ask relevant questions such as:

Where have you been on holiday?
When did you go?
What type of holiday was it?
What did you do there?
Who went with you?
Why do we go on holiday?

Plot the places that the children have visited on the map using pins and/or sticky notes. This can be tidied up later with labels but right now it will be a work in progress. Discuss the range of destinations highlighted.