Educating kids while travelling Oz????

Hi, whilst we only travelled with our girls 7 & 9 for 4 months we home schooled with assistance from their school and teachers. The majority of families we met travelling for 12 months were on distance education. It does depend on the state you are from it would appear as many families are told different things. Journals and keeping up with the time line given by school was suprisingly easy, without library, assembly, and all the other stuff they do at school, you can do a days school work in around 90 minutes with one on one education. Kids had a ball in just 4 months and came back ahead of the rest of the class in text books.

We spent 3 yrs travelling OZ. We home schooled our girls. They were 3 and 5 when we left. We found doing the schooling first thing was best. They are awake and able to concentrate. Also the encouragement of going and doing fun things after their school work was done was a great reward. Remember school isn't always in a book. Our girls were younger than yours but some of the things we did were: Write maths problems in the sand at the beach and do a lesson there. Get them to read the pamphlets at information centres. If your going to an attraction like Ayers Rock, they can do research on it before you go. I know they need formal education but these things are extras you can do but are still fun. The expirience you give them travelling will be with them for life.

Josh

We used Distance Ed when our kids were young and we were in an isolated area. As said, you don't need much time per day but you do need a routine - it doesn't have to be too rigid but you do need to establish expectations. Don't get too uptight about it - relax and it will be fine. Our biggest problem was settling them back into school afterwards -" You mean we have to say after lunch!?" "They take a whole hour to have assembly and mark the roll!."
Later, as a teacher, I never saw kids who did not benefit from such an experience. Make sure they keep a scrapbook/diary to treasure in the future and share with family and friends. This is also good for their English and other work! Also encourage them to stay in touch with friends through post cards and emails. They are lucky kids! Lynne

Hi Guys,

As you would no doubt gather from my signature I am WAY past educating my 3 kids, they range from 34 to 39 and now are trying to edjamakate me...lol.
The reason I am replying to this thread is that my son, daughter-in-law and their 3 ranging in ages of 5,8 and 10 would like to do something similar but it looks like they may not be able to get away before the eldest is in high school because of work commitments. Now while my DIL is a primary school teacher they are not sure if it would be practical to do without unduly affecting a high school aged child. Obviously the amount of work a child has to complete in HS is far more intense than in primary school.
Opinions from the learned members of the forum would be much appreciated.

Cheers
Pop

Hado,

Can't give you any pointers on recent education, while on the road, but our kids all did School of the Air, through Mt Isa.

My wife was pretty full-on with their schooling, so that when they were unable to do lessons, they were always ahead. Try to do a bit each day, so the children remain in a routine, but maybe not to the detriment of the holiday either.

The photo shows our eldest daughter(now a mother herself), doing an "on air" lesson, on HF radio, south of Urandangie, back in early '80's. Don't need a blackboard and chalk, to educate them in the bush.

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Hope you are able to sort out a curriculum for them, and yourself, and have a good holiday.

Bob.

We did school of the air through Alice Springs (ASSOA) a few years back when were living in a small outback community. What surprised me the most is how little time was needed for 'formal' schooling. We had an internet lesson about 1/2 to 3/4 hour, 4 days a week and an hour max for activities, often done outside or in our 'schoolroom'. We very quickly realised that without the distractions of 24 other kids work was completed at an amazing rate. When we moved to Adelaide I was pleasantly surprised to see how well my daughter adapted to mainstream school, both socially and academically. The few older kids (about yr 6 and up) went on to NT open education (NTOEC) . A few of those kids are were successful in earning Uni places when the time came. I must say though that having access to a teacher, even just over the phone or though the marking of work was helpful to me as it helped to reinforce to the kids that what Mum was teaching was correct! Also as others have said, a routine really does help the kids understand what is expected of them.

As an aside, I also grew up in a beachside caravan park (my parents were on-site licencees) and we saw a number of families travelling Aus. I used to be so jealous seeing the kids do an hour or so of study outside under the awning then hop off to the beach whilst I was all trussed up in my uniform and off to school for the whole day. I would love to be able to offer my kids the amazing gift you are gving yours. Good luck!