Around the World in Days, Olé

Explain that this lesson is a simulation that will build students' research skills. Place students in groups of three or four for this cooperative project.

Make sure that students have a general knowledge of the Hispanic countries they will visit and their location before they begin. Introduce topics such as capitals, holidays, customs, arts and crafts, money, and language. The students should have prior knowledge in creating a budget and reading maps.

Help the students research their countries using the web. Schedule computer time for individuals or teams of students in 20 minute intervals. Instruct students in the use of search engines before initiating the project.

Students must complete a series of six activities during this simulation of a world wide tour. They must compare and contrast cities and evaluate them for tourist appeal. As a culminating activity, using the data collected, instruct each group to present orally, written, or through an authoring program, such as HyperStudio, with the end goal of persuading their classmates to vote for their travel plans. After all presentations are made, the class is to vote for the best itinerary.

(Suggested ideas: Brochures, pamphlets, videos, etc. can be produced by the groups and sent to travel agencies. This project can be entered for contest at the Dade County Youth Fair under the Graphic Arts category. During Open House, projects can be shown to parents as sample work.)