Hello! I have a fairly unique (at least I think it is) request for help... I'm hoping you don't mind that I've posted this request here!
My colleagues and I are in the process of planning a student project in which students have to research, plan, and budget for a theoretical cross-country trip. The project will incorporate US geography skills, math/economics/budgeting, science, etc. We are really excited about this and think the kids will enjoy it (as much as any 7th grader enjoys a project!) and want to make our requirements relatively realistic. As such, I have a couple of questions I'm hoping those of you with cross-country experience can help answer....
(1) For their project, the kids will have 60 or so "travel days" they can use. They will need to visit "x" number of states, capitals, national parks, and landmarks/memorials/museums. What would be a reasonable expectation for the number of each -- states, capitals, national parks, etc.? In other words, if you had 60 or so travel days to travel cross country and wanted to spend some quality learning time at a variety of destinations, how many states, etc. would you expect to see?
(2) The kids will have to plan their trips to be relatively realistic. What recommendations would you make to them in completing their planning? For example, one site I read suggested planning no more than 4 hours of drive time per day....???
Now, if only we could actually take them all on such a trip..............
Many thanks,
Jeanne