Back to school we go! September means fall, cooler weather and time for school. As some kids get their school schedule, new backpacks, and curriculum, other kids are participating in a more, non-traditional form of school. Roadschooling is essentially different forms of schooling from your RV! This gives children the opportunity to have a full curriculum if desired, while also learning about things from your trip. From traveling to different areas of the country and learning about our country’s rich history and landmarks, you can really bring those textbooks to life. Here are some benefits and tips if you plan on roadschooling your kids this year!
Benefits of Roadschooling
Take full advantage of the lifestyle on the road. Roadschooling gives your children the opportunity to not only learn and grow like a typical child, but also to experience things and places that most kids only dream to go. You can decide to teach a curriculum based on your travel plans, rather than that typical classroom structure. Your kids can learn about Yellowstone as you drive through the park; they can experience government policies while you are parked near the Lincoln memorial, or discover the habitats of alligators as you cruise around The Everglades.
This is a great way to spend time together as well. When your kids are in the public-school system, it is hard to see what they go through and what they are learning. This is a way to take their learning process into your own hands and show them what they can expect out of life as well as textbooks.
You can be as traditional or non-traditional as you would like! You can go the homeschooling route, or you can totally rely on the location of your travels! This gives you the opportunity of total flexibility with your kids schedule and education.
Different Types of Roadschooling
Roadschooling does not mean that every family takes the same approach. There are several different paths you can take when educating your children on the road. Here are some different types of roadschooling!
Homeschooling method– This way, the parents can stick to a stricter curriculum regardless of where they are traveling. This can help the kids stay in line with their classmates back home in case road schooling is only for a partial part of the year.
Lit-based schooling– This could work if you want to focus more on the arts. It allows you to read more books, and study nature and art while you are out on the road. Depending on where you are traveling, this could be very beneficial for your kids!
Online Schooling– If you want to be a little more hands off and let the kids still utilize a teacher, online schooling is the way to go. They can stick to a curriculum and schedule and they can do all of their schooling online.
Eclectic schooling– This is a combination of different types of schooling. Most parents believe that this is the best way to teach their children. They can stick to a curriculum, maybe do 1 online class, teach them as they go, and you can seize every opportunity that comes your way on the road!
Tips for Roadschooling
Set up an area in your RV specifically for school. Your RV is not going to be very big for school and living, even you have a fifth wheel or destination trailer. It is important to separate school from leisure as much as possible when choosing to roadschool.
Pick a time in the day if you are doing homeschooling so that you can stay as consistent as possible. If you are incorporating your travels and destinations into your learning, then this may be difficult to do. With children, the more consistent you can be, the better.
Mix it up! Eclectic learning is a great to add a little bit of everything when you are choosing to educate your kids on the road. It is okay to have a curriculum set so you know they are not falling behind. It is okay to use your destinations as an amazing learning opportunity. And it is okay to focus on unit studies throughout the year. You can also look at adding a few online classes to keep the kids focused and for subjects that you typically don’t focus on as much when you are traveling.
We hope you are feeling a little or a LOT more prepared for the idea of roadschooling your kids. Whether you plan on doing it this year, or a few years from now, don’t be afraid to try a few different types of schooling. If you have your heart set on a specific type of schooling, continue to learn more about it and start planning your travels so you and your kids don’t miss a beat and get to experience the world, together!
