Writing Assignments That Complement Class Trips to Washington D.C. And NYC

Educational travel tours headed for Washington D.C.In addition to selecting a qualified educational travel
or New York City are an excellent way to stimulatecompany that employs licensed tour guides, creating
active learning. Visiting historic sites such as the Whitea post trip assignment related to one or more of the
House and the Capitol in Washington D.C. or takingdestinations on the itinerary are an effective way to
the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island Boat tour in Newhelp students process the event.
York City are just the first step in the learningHere are some brief ideas for writing assignments
process.that may follow a class trip to Washington D.C. or
Writing Assignments Help Students Learn about NYCNew York City. Teachers will want to give students
and Washington D.C.the details of these assignments before the tour, so
Creating a post trip writing assignment that requiresthey can take notes while they visit these sites.
students to assimilate the information learned on aThese writing exercises are designed for the high
visit to Washington D.C. or New York City is oneschool classroom. Teachers should feel free to
way to ensure that students have grasped themodify the assignments for specific learning and
information conveyed on student tours.curriculum objectives.
Student tour groups get excited about visiting historicWashington D.C. Writing Assignment Idea After a
sites and learning about the way the U.S. governmentVisit to the Capitol
is run or the manner in which immigrant familiesInstruct students to write a 500-750 word essay
entered the country. Experienced, licensed andabout their visit to the U.S. Capitol. Highlight three
knowledgeable tour guides make all the difference inobservations that stood out on your visit to the
any student tour. In both Washington D.C. and NewCapitol. What did you learn about American
York City, tour guides must be licensed in order todemocracy that you did not know before your visit?
lead groups around the city. A high quality studentExplain in detail. Describe any of the representatives,
tour company will only work with tour guides whopages, aides or people that you may have met or
are licensed.seen on your visit. What are their functions in the
Teachers and educational tour planners shoulddemocratic process?
contract with student travel companies that haveWriting Exercise Idea Following a Tour of the White
excellent reputations and a long history in workingHouse
with school groups. Working with an experiencedAsk students to write a 500-750 word essay about
educational travel company will ensure thattheir trip to the White House. On your visit to the
information conveyed on a tour is in sync withWhite House, which room were you drawn to the
academic standards and learning objectives.most, and why? Describe in detail the furnishings, art,
In order to maintain high standards, licensed tourand function of this room. How does this room play a
guides in New York City and Washington D.C. arerole in diplomatic or political relations? Why is this
required to pass certification tests which areparticular room of the White House important and
designed to measure their knowledge of historical andincluded on the tour?
cultural information about the city where they leadNew York City Writing Assignment to Follow a Boat
student tours. If a tour guide is licensed, then theTour of Ellis Island and the Statue of Liberty
student travel group is sure to receive accurateWrite a 500-750 word essay that brings together at
historical information about the sites. Anotherleast eight different facts about the Statue of
advantage of working with licensed tour guides isLiberty and Ellis Island. In your own words, describe
their ability to accurately answer questions fromwhy these two significant New York City landmarks
student travelers about historical sites.are pivotal places in American history.