Passport Journal: Our Next Stop Is Mexico!

Grab your passport, pack your curiosity, and get ready for another adventure! Our next Passport Journal journey takes us south of the United States to the beautiful and fascinating country of Mexico!

September is a wonderful time to make Mexico one of our classroom destinations. Hispanic Heritage Month begins September 15, and Mexican Independence Day is celebrated September 16, giving us the perfect opportunity to explore Mexico while also introducing children to the rich and diverse cultures, histories, and contributions celebrated throughout Hispanic Heritage Month.

And there is SO much for little learners to discover!

Ancient pyramids and modern cities. Rainforests and deserts. Beautiful beaches and towering mountains. Music and dancing. Art and architecture. Fascinating animals. Indigenous history. Family traditions. Spanish language. Delicious foods.

Mexico is so much more than a few familiar symbols children may recognize.

So let's open our Passport Journals and start exploring!

First Stop: Where Is Mexico?

Every good journey begins with a map!

Discovering Mexico with a Fact Booklet

Now that we've arrived, it's time to learn more about our destination!

My Mexico Fact Booklet was created to introduce young learners to Mexico through simple, age-appropriate nonfiction reading.

Children can discover important facts about the country while practicing reading, research, comprehension, writing, and observation skills.

But don't stop at simply reading the facts!

5 Books to Take Us to Mexico

Books can transport children somewhere new without ever leaving the classroom. Add a few of these wonderful read-aloud books to your journey.

1. Off We Go to Mexico! by Laurie Krebs

Travel through Mexico while discovering its landscapes, celebrations, foods, history, and culture. This makes a fun companion to a classroom "trip" to Mexico.

2. What Can You Do with a Paleta? by Carmen Tafolla

A colorful celebration of the Mexican paleta that also introduces children to community, sensory language, imagination, and everyday culture.

3. Dear Primo: A Letter to My Cousin by Duncan Tonatiuh

Two cousins, one living in Mexico and one in the United States, exchange letters about their everyday lives. It's a wonderful way to help children notice similarities and differences without presenting one culture as "exotic."

4. Dreamers by Yuyi Morales

A beautifully illustrated story about family, books, language, dreams, and making a home in a new place. It can lead to gentle conversations about immigration and the importance of stories.

5. Funny Bones: Posada and His Day of the Dead Calaveras by Duncan Tonatiuh

Introduce older K–2 learners to Mexican artist José Guadalupe Posada and his famous calavera artwork while connecting history, art, and Mexican culture.

After reading, encourage children to add something new to their Passport Journal: Draw Your Way Through Mexico! We've read about Mexico. We've found it on the map. Now let's DRAW it!

My How to Draw Mexico resource gives children another way to explore the country through simple directed drawings connected to what they are learning.

Children might draw Mexican landmarks, cultural objects, foods, animals, plants, music, or other symbols associated with the country.

Directed drawing is much more than an art activity.

As children follow the steps, they're practicing:  listening and following directions, visual observation, fine motor control, sequencing, shapes and spatial awareness, persistence and confidence, and while they're drawing, keep the conversation going!

Suddenly art, geography, social studies, vocabulary, and oral language are all happening together.

5 Classroom Activities for Our Mexico Journey

Let's add even more experiences to our Passport Journal adventure!

1. Become Mexico Geography Detectives 

Give children a simple map of Mexico and investigate together. Locate: Mexico City,  Gulf of Mexico,  Pacific Ocean,  United States,  and Yucatán Peninsula

Then compare Mexico's location with where your students live. For young children, even understanding near, far, north, south, land, and water builds early geography skills.

2. Explore an Amazing Mexican Landmark 

Take a virtual or photographic trip to Chichén Itzá or another important archaeological site. Ask children:

Who do you think built this?

How do you think they built something so large without modern machines? What shapes do you see?

Then let children recreate a pyramid using blocks, LEGO-style bricks, paper shapes, or recycled materials.

History just became a STEM challenge!

3. Listen to the Sounds of Mexico. Play age-appropriate examples of Mexican music. Introduce children to instruments they might hear, such as guitars, violins, and trumpets, and explore how different musical traditions create different sounds. Let children clap a rhythm, move to the music, or create simple classroom instruments.

4. Learn a Little Spanish! You don't have to teach an entire language lesson to help children discover that people around the world communicate in different languages.

Introduce a few useful Spanish words.

Children LOVE realizing they can communicate something in another language!

5. Mexico: Same and Different 

After several days of exploring, create a class chart:

Mexico and Our Community; What things seem different?

What things are similar? Children in Mexico go to school.

They play. They have families. They celebrate special days. They listen to music. They eat favorite foods. They have pets. They play sports. They have hopes and dreams. This may be one of the most important lessons of our entire Passport Journal journey:

Cultures can be different AND people can have many things in common. From Mexico to Hispanic Heritage Month our visit to Mexico gives us a wonderful starting point for another important September celebration. Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated September 15 through October 15.

But here's an important idea to help young children understand: Mexico is one country. Hispanic heritage includes people and cultures connected to many Spanish-speaking countries and communities. That distinction matters.

Instead of presenting Hispanic culture as though everyone eats the same foods, listens to the same music, celebrates the same holidays, or follows the same traditions, we can help children discover something much more interesting:

There is tremendous diversity within Hispanic heritage! 

People have roots in Mexico, Spain, the Caribbean, Central America, South America, and many different communities within the United States.

Each has its own stories, traditions, foods, music, art, history, vocabulary, and experiences.

My Hispanic Heritage Month Fact Booklet helps introduce these ideas in a way designed especially for K–2 learners.

Children can explore kid-friendly information about Hispanic people, language, music, foods, and traditions while building nonfiction reading and comprehension skills.

They can also research, make personal connections, sort facts, create a craft, and choose from cross-curricular activities that extend their learning into reading, writing, math, science, and art.

Most importantly, the goal isn't simply for children to memorize a collection of facts. It's to encourage them to become curious. What languages do people speak?

What traditions are important to different families?

Where did those traditions begin? What music do people enjoy? What stories have been passed from one generation to another? What contributions have Hispanic people made to our communities and our world?

Those questions can take our learning far beyond a single month.

Our Passport Journal isn't about collecting stereotypes or checking countries off a list. It's about helping young learners understand that our world is filled with different people, languages, landscapes, traditions, histories, and ways of life—all worth discovering.

So as we say ¡Adiós, México!, let's leave our little travelers with one final thought:

Don't just visit the world. Be curious about it. 

Because every new culture we learn about gives us another opportunity to understand our wonderfully diverse world—and one another—a little better. 

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Celebrating Grandparents: Memories, Stories & Love Across Generations

There are some teachers who teach us in classrooms…and others who teach us simply by sharing their lives with us.

Grandparents can be some of our children's greatest storytellers, cheerleaders, teachers, and keepers of family memories. 

National Grandparents Day, celebrated this year on Sunday, September 13, gives us a wonderful opportunity to help children recognize these special relationships while learning about families, traditions, history, and the connections between generations.

And while the day may have "grandparents" in its name, classroom celebrations can easily include grandparents, great-grandparents, step-grandparents, older relatives, family friends, or another special older adult who plays an important role in a child's life.  

Because at the heart of Grandparents Day is something beautifully simple: Celebrating the people who love us, guide us, and help connect our past with our future.

Here are five Grandparent Read-Aloud books to share:

Stories are a wonderful way to explore relationships between generations. Here are five books that can lead to meaningful classroom conversations.

1. How to Babysit a Grandpa by Jean Reagan: A funny role-reversal story told from a child's perspective about spending a special day with Grandpa.

2. How to Babysit a Grandma by Jean Reagan: The companion book celebrates all the fun and little traditions that can make time with Grandma memorable.

3. The Hello, Goodbye Window by Norton Juster: A beautiful story about a child's relationship with her grandparents and the ordinary moments that become treasured memories.

4. Last Stop on Market Street by Matt de la Peña: CJ and his grandmother travel through their community together, providing wonderful opportunities to talk about gratitude, kindness, community, and seeing beauty in everyday life.

5. The Truth About Grandparents by Elina Ellis: A playful celebration of grandparents that challenges some of the funny stereotypes children may have about getting older.

5 Meaningful Grandparents Day Activities

1. Interview a Grandparent.  Send home a few simple interview questions for children to ask a grandparent or special older adult. Children can bring their answers back and share one interesting thing they learned.

You're not just practicing interviewing and communication skills, but you're helping preserve a little piece of family history. 

2. Create a Grandparent Portrait: Have children draw a portrait of their grandparent or special person.

Then add a simple writing prompt: "My grandparent is special because…" Put the portraits together for a sweet classroom display or send them home as keepsakes.

3. Give a Grandparent a HUG! Not just an ordinary hug but a giant paper one! Trace or create two hands and connect them with long paper arms. Children can decorate their creation and add a message in the middle. "A BIG hug just for you!"

It's simple, personal, and exactly the kind of handmade treasure grandparents tend to keep. 

4. Plan Breakfast for Grandma or Grandpa: Let children pretend they're hosting a special Grandparents Day breakfast. Children can draw the meal, create a menu, count the foods, write labels, and even calculate how many plates, cups, or napkins they would need.

5. Make a Memory Heart: Give each child a large paper heart. Inside, have them draw or write about a favorite memory with their grandparent or another special older adult. Put the hearts together on a bulletin board.

Children may celebrate Grandparents Day without realizing that the holiday itself has a history!

My Grandparents Day Fact Booklet gives young learners an age-appropriate opportunity to discover why this special day is celebrated while also beginning to practice nonfiction reading and research skills.

Children can read about Grandparents Day, take notes, record their research, and then extend their learning through creative activities.

And because handmade gifts can be especially meaningful for this holiday, the resource also includes activities such as Hugs for Grandparents, Grandparent Portraits, writing prompts, coloring activities, and planning a special breakfast for grandparents.

It allows children to do more than simply learn about Grandparents Day.

 Every Family Has a Story. One of the most beautiful things about bringing Grandparents Day into the classroom is seeing just how different every family's story can be. Some grandparents live next door. Others live thousands of miles away.

Some children see their grandparents every day. Others may connect through phone calls, photographs, letters, or family stories.

Some children may have great-grandparents in their lives, while others have another older relative, neighbor, family friend, or special adult who fills that important role.

However our families look, we can help children understand that relationships between generations are worth celebrating.

Grandparents and older adults can give children something no worksheet ever could—a connection to another time, another generation, and a collection of stories that belong uniquely to their family.

So this Grandparents Day, make the cards and crafts. Draw the portraits. Give the hugs. But also encourage your little learners to ask questions. Listen to the stories. Discover the memories. 

Because one of the greatest gifts children can give their grandparents may simply be:

"Tell me what it was like when you were little."  

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Exploring the Air Around Us!

Have you ever stopped to think about something that is all around us, every minute of every day, but we can’t even see it? AIR! 

Air may be invisible, but it is incredibly important. We breathe it, plants and animals depend on it, it helps things move, and it is an essential part of life on Earth. For young children, that makes air a fascinating science topic filled with opportunities to wonder, investigate, experiment, read, and create!

September is a perfect time to explore this invisible helper because September 7 is the International Day of Clean Air for blue skies. This special day encourages people around the world to think about the importance of clean air and what we can do to help protect it.

For our youngest learners, we don't need to begin with complicated discussions about air pollution or climate science. We can start with something much simpler:

What is air? Where is it? Why do we need it? And how can we help keep it clean?

Suddenly, something invisible becomes very real!

These simple experiences help children understand that even though we can't see air, we can see and feel what air does.

That sense of discovery is a wonderful way to begin your clean-air learning.

5 Books to Share About Air, Wind & Our Environment:

Pairing science with children's literature helps young learners build vocabulary and connect new concepts to stories and illustrations. Try adding a few of these books to your week:

1. Air Is All Around You by Franklyn M. Branley - A classic early science book that introduces children to the idea that air is everywhere, even though we cannot see it.

2. Feel the Wind by Arthur Dorros - A child-friendly introduction to wind and moving air that pairs nicely with simple wind experiments.

3. The Wind Blew by Pat Hutchins- A playful story showing what happens when a powerful wind sends everyday objects flying through the air.

4. Like a Windy Day by Frank Asch and Devin Asch - A wonderful choice for connecting science with movement and imagination as children think about what it might feel like to be the wind.

5. The Lorax by Dr. Seuss - For a broader environmental connection, this familiar story can begin simple conversations about caring for trees, nature, and the world around us.

5 Hands-On Air Activities for the Classroom:

Now it's time to let children DO some science!

1. Catch Some Air - Give each child a balloon or use a plastic bag to "catch" air. Ask: Is the bag really empty?

Fill it with air and close it. Children can gently squeeze it and discover that something is definitely inside!

Talk about how air takes up space even though we cannot see it.

2. Make Air Move a Feather - Place feathers, cotton balls, or lightweight pom-poms on a table. Have children blow them from one side of the table to the other. Try blowing softly and then more strongly. Which makes the object move farther? It's a simple introduction to the idea that moving air can exert force and move objects.

3. Go on an Air Detective Walk - Head outside and become Air Detectives! Children can't see the air itself, so challenge them to find evidence that air is moving.

Look for:  leaves moving, branches swaying, flags fluttering,  clouds traveling across the sky, clothing or hair moving in the breeze; Create a class list titled "We Can't See Air, But We Can See What It Does!"

4. Make a Pinwheel - Create simple paper pinwheels and take them outside. Experiment with holding them still, walking with them, blowing on them, and standing in a breeze.

5. Clean Air Helpers - Talk about simple things families and communities can do to help care for the air and our environment.

Dig Deeper With an Air Fact Booklet

Once children have started observing and experimenting with air, they're ready to learn more about the science behind their discoveries.

My Air Fact Booklet and Activities was created especially for K–2 learners to help make this invisible topic easier to understand.

Children can read simple facts about air, build important vocabulary, record what they discover, answer comprehension questions, sort fact sentences, and extend their learning across different subject areas.

There's also room for creativity and hands-on learning because science shouldn't only be something children read about—it should be something they investigate, talk about, create, and experience.

The resource can easily fit into whole-group science, small groups, centers, independent work, or a larger Earth and environment unit.

Most importantly, it helps children begin answering that original question:

How can something we can't see be so important?

We may not be able to see air, but after a week of reading, experimenting, observing, creating, and wondering, our little learners will certainly know it's there!

So this September, step outside, feel the breeze, take a deep breath, and invite your students to discover the amazing invisible world that's been around them all along. 

We can't see air, but we can discover it, appreciate it, and learn how to help keep it clean.

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Keep Exploring! Discover Norway

Have you ever dreamed of visiting a place with towering mountains, sparkling waterfalls, deep blue fjords, and colorful villages tucked along the coast? Welcome to Norway, one of the most beautiful countries in Scandinavia!

One of the best parts of learning about countries is discovering that every place has its own unique story. Norway is known for its breathtaking landscapes, rich Viking history, delicious traditions, and people who love spending time outdoors. Recently, Norway has also been in the spotlight because of its talented soccer players, reminding us that sports can inspire us to learn about countries from all around the world.

Grab your Passport Journal because our next adventure begins in Norway! Here are some facts about Norway:

 Continent: Europe, Capital City: Oslo, Language: Norwegian, Currency: Norwegian Krone, Famous For: Magnificent fjords, Viking history, Northern Lights, Midnight Sun,

Stave churches, Mountains and waterfalls, Winter sports and soccer

Five Fascinating Facts About Norway

 Norway has one of the longest coastlines in the world because of its many beautiful fjords.

Hundreds of years ago, Vikings sailed from Norway in large wooden ships to explore new lands.

 During the summer, parts of northern Norway experience the Midnight Sun, where the sun barely sets!

 During the winter, visitors may see the magical Northern Lights dancing across the night sky.

 Norway is home to world-class athletes who compete in soccer, skiing, biathlon, and many other sports.

    Explore Norway with Our Classroom Resources

Learning becomes even more meaningful when students can read, research, create, and draw!

Our Norway Fact Booklet gives young learners an exciting introduction to this beautiful Scandinavian country through easy-to-read nonfiction text, research opportunities, comprehension activities, vocabulary development, and a fun Norwegian-inspired craft. Students can also complete a book report by using the included illustrations or creating their own drawings, making each project unique.

To continue the adventure, our How to Draw Norway resource lets students create their own Norwegian masterpieces step by step. They'll learn to draw:

   Norway Flag, Borgund Stave Church,  Urnes Stave Church, Viking Ship, Viking Helmet, Fjords, Krumkake, Traditional Soup. Royal Palace,  Ancient Rock Art, and Nordkapp (North Cape).

   Each drawing includes three differentiated writing activities, helping students strengthen writing, listening, fine motor skills, and confidence while learning about Norway.

Five Wonderful Read-Aloud Books

1. The Princess and the White Bear King by Tanya Robyn Batt: A Norwegian folktale filled with adventure and beautiful illustrations.

2. Children of the Northlights by Ingri D'Aulaire & Edgar Parin D'Aulaire: A charming introduction to Norwegian folklore and traditions.

3. Leif the Lucky by Ingri D'Aulaire & Edgar Parin D'Aulaire: Learn about Viking explorer Leif Erikson and early exploration.

4. The Race of the Birkebeiners by Lise Lunge-Larsen: A true story inspired by Norwegian history, courage, and perseverance.

5. If You Were Me and Lived in... Norway by Carole P. Roman: Perfect for introducing young learners to everyday life, culture, food, language, and traditions in Norway.

Five Classroom Activities:

 1. Stamp Your Passport

Locate Norway on a world map, color the Norwegian flag, and add a passport stamp to your classroom Passport Journal.



 2. Fjord Geography Exploration

Compare Norway's famous fjords to rivers, lakes, and mountains students may already know. Discuss how glaciers helped create these amazing landforms.



 3. Viking Engineering Challenge

Using recycled materials, paper, or craft sticks, invite students to design and build their own Viking ship.

4. Directed Drawing Adventure

Complete several drawings from the How to Draw Norway resource, then write fun facts or short stories about each picture.

5. Taste of Norway

Learn about traditional Norwegian foods like krumkake, lefse, and brown cheese. If possible, sample a Scandinavian treat or compare foods from Norway with foods students eat at home.



  Keep Exploring! Every country has something wonderful to discover. As your students travel through Norway, they'll explore breathtaking landscapes, fascinating history, delicious traditions, and amazing people. Along the way they'll strengthen reading, writing, geography, research, art, and critical thinking skills, all while discovering that our world is filled with incredible places waiting to be explored.

   So grab your Passport Journal, stamp your next destination, and keep your curiosity growing. Whether your journey begins with a map, a storybook, a directed drawing, or a nonfiction fact booklet, every adventure helps children become lifelong learners and world explorers. Where will your Passport Journal take you next?

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