simulated airplane ride

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Home : 2004 : January : 18

simulated airplane ride
By Betsy

The simulated airplane ride was so much fun. This is what we did:

1. Send home a letter: Send home a letter explaining to students and parents that on "Friday" the students will be flying to very exciting places, and
that on the day of the trip the students should bring their bags packed for an overnight stay. Stress that it is very important for students to do this part, as the bags will be a very important part of the trip.
2. Choose destinations: I had planned on letting each group of students choose their own destinations, but I ended choosing for them so I could go ahead and check out the

books they would need. I found books on seven different countries, and the groups pulled straws for their destinations.
3. Research: I let the students work together to find the following information on their countries: capitol city, population, climate, animals that live there. I also let students record any information they found fascinating. If you have time the students can use the Internet to research.
4. Present: The students presented the information on their destinations.
5. Measurement: I gave each group of students a bathroom scale. (Parents will let you borrow their scales if you ask!) The students measured their bags and calculated the total weight of their luggage. Then I informed them of a weight limit. I told them that I had talked to a representative of "Copeland Airlines" and that they had way too much stuff in their bags. They really liked this part of the activity! I wrote on a sticky note for each group a weight limit that was about five pounds less than their original weight. They had to figure out what items they could unpack to meet their limit. I really laughed a lot during this time. Some groups figured out that they should check the bags that weighed the most. One little girl had brought stuffed animals and trophies in her bag. Needless to say, her group made her unpack them. (Also, I did tell my group not to bring their underwear!)
6. Time for takeoff: Arrange chairs (I bummed from other teachers) in rows to resemble an airplane's seats in front of your television. Let the students board the plane and store their luggage under their seats. After take-off, make an announcement from the "pilot" about your first destination and estimated arrival time. Then, as the flight attendant, serve refreshments while the students view videos on the places they have researched.
7. Writing: After we returned from our trip I let the students write a friendly letter to their parents about the trip. My kids had a blast with this activity and I had just as much fun as they did.