You asked about where I get the money to purchase the souvenirs, costumes, food, etc.
In terms of the souvenirs, most of them are just pictures of things I find on the Internet and print out for the kids to glue onto their scrapbook pages. However, I also contact the visitor centers at the places we visit and ask them to send brochures and other things that the kids can add to their scrapbooks. Most places are more than willing to send lots of cool things for the kids to have, and those are the most authentic souvenirs. In fact, the Mall of America sent such great brochures and program information that one student in my class last year was able to convince her parents to take her there on vacation!
In terms of the food, I am lucky to work in a district where I have lots of parent support. At the beginning of each region, I send out a food request form so that parents can volunteer to help out with the cuisine we will be enjoying at different tour stops.
The costumes/hats are something that I have purchased on my own. I have ordered many of the hats from Oriental Trading Company. While it is somewhat expensive to purchase class sets of hats, bandanas, etc., I reuse them year after year. That way I just buy them once and have been able to make great use of them every year during the region tour and also in some class movies we make.
Thanks for posting your comment on the blog, and thanks for your compliments! Good luck with your own region tour!!
Kathy,
You asked about where I get the money to purchase the souvenirs, costumes, food, etc.
In terms of the souvenirs, most of them are just pictures of things I find on the Internet and print out for the kids to glue onto their scrapbook pages. However, I also contact the visitor centers at the places we visit and ask them to send brochures and other things that the kids can add to their scrapbooks. Most places are more than willing to send lots of cool things for the kids to have, and those are the most authentic souvenirs. In fact, the Mall of America sent such great brochures and program information that one student in my class last year was able to convince her parents to take her there on vacation!
In terms of the food, I am lucky to work in a district where I have lots of parent support. At the beginning of each region, I send out a food request form so that parents can volunteer to help out with the cuisine we will be enjoying at different tour stops.
The costumes/hats are something that I have purchased on my own. I have ordered many of the hats from Oriental Trading Company. While it is somewhat expensive to purchase class sets of hats, bandanas, etc., I reuse them year after year. That way I just buy them once and have been able to make great use of them every year during the region tour and also in some class movies we make.
Thanks for posting your comment on the blog, and thanks for your compliments! Good luck with your own region tour!!
-Beth