"How was your trip?"
"Great."
"What did you do."
"You, know...stuff."
If your student comes home from our trip bubbling with stories and information, that's wonderful; let them talk and soak it in! If the conversation above sounds more like your experience, you may have to ask specific (preferably open-ended) questions. Here are a few suggestions to get the conversation going.
- Look at the trip itinerary and ask about specific items. "What did you do at Jemez Pueblo?" "What was the most fun at White Sands?"
- Ask about meals. It sounds strange, but talking about where and what they ate and who they ate with will often trigger stories about the social aspects of the trip.
- Ask to see your student's travel journal. Your student will be turning it in for a grade, so it will have been written with an audience in mind. You can use the entries in the journal to ask about specific learning experiences on the trip.
- Ask your student one of our essential questions:
- What is culture?
- What divides and connects people?
- To what extent is cultural identity important?
- How do historical events affect present places and people?
Talking about the trip is not only fun, but a great way to cement the learning that took place. Take time to ask and listen to your student's stories. You'll be glad you did.