The World Is Our Classroom: How One Family Used Nature and Travel to Shape an Extraordinary Education
Bronze Medal, Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition, Society of American Travel Writers

"Cindy Ross is one of today's most eloquent and thoughtful writers on the connection between humans and the natural world."Richard Louv, New York Times bestselling author

Cindy's story begins in the Rocky Mountain wilderness on a unique and extraordinary journey: two parents leading their young children 3,100 miles on the backs of llamas. This Canada-Mexico trek illustrated to Cindy and her husband what experiential education can do. Inspired by the experience, they went on to create a new way of supplementing their children’s education, focusing on two arenas for learning: the natural world and travel.

In this age of world connection, it is important to raise broad-minded and empathetic children who are knowledgeable about other cultures. To accomplish this goal, Cindy chose an unorthodox approach: she orchestrated learning opportunities for her children, Sierra and Bryce, in twelve countries. The family traveled the world, moving about on foot and bicycle, living simply and intimately. But just as important, and more accessible for many parents, were the opportunities for learning closer to home.

These adventures brought intangible gifts: values—such as compassion, empathy, resilience, self-reliance, and gratitude, among others—not always fostered in a traditional curriculum but crucially important to raising children.

By sharing her story, along with honest insights from her children about the importance of their unusual education, Cindy aims to empower parents to believe they can be their children's best and most important educators. It is for parents who are seeking inspiration, who love a good story, and who are looking for an unorthodox way to raise the happiest, healthiest, and brightest children they can.
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The World Is Our Classroom: How One Family Used Nature and Travel to Shape an Extraordinary Education
Bronze Medal, Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition, Society of American Travel Writers

"Cindy Ross is one of today's most eloquent and thoughtful writers on the connection between humans and the natural world."Richard Louv, New York Times bestselling author

Cindy's story begins in the Rocky Mountain wilderness on a unique and extraordinary journey: two parents leading their young children 3,100 miles on the backs of llamas. This Canada-Mexico trek illustrated to Cindy and her husband what experiential education can do. Inspired by the experience, they went on to create a new way of supplementing their children’s education, focusing on two arenas for learning: the natural world and travel.

In this age of world connection, it is important to raise broad-minded and empathetic children who are knowledgeable about other cultures. To accomplish this goal, Cindy chose an unorthodox approach: she orchestrated learning opportunities for her children, Sierra and Bryce, in twelve countries. The family traveled the world, moving about on foot and bicycle, living simply and intimately. But just as important, and more accessible for many parents, were the opportunities for learning closer to home.

These adventures brought intangible gifts: values—such as compassion, empathy, resilience, self-reliance, and gratitude, among others—not always fostered in a traditional curriculum but crucially important to raising children.

By sharing her story, along with honest insights from her children about the importance of their unusual education, Cindy aims to empower parents to believe they can be their children's best and most important educators. It is for parents who are seeking inspiration, who love a good story, and who are looking for an unorthodox way to raise the happiest, healthiest, and brightest children they can.
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The World Is Our Classroom: How One Family Used Nature and Travel to Shape an Extraordinary Education

The World Is Our Classroom: How One Family Used Nature and Travel to Shape an Extraordinary Education

by Cindy Ross
The World Is Our Classroom: How One Family Used Nature and Travel to Shape an Extraordinary Education

The World Is Our Classroom: How One Family Used Nature and Travel to Shape an Extraordinary Education

by Cindy Ross

Hardcover

$23.99 
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Overview

Bronze Medal, Lowell Thomas Travel Journalism Competition, Society of American Travel Writers

"Cindy Ross is one of today's most eloquent and thoughtful writers on the connection between humans and the natural world."Richard Louv, New York Times bestselling author

Cindy's story begins in the Rocky Mountain wilderness on a unique and extraordinary journey: two parents leading their young children 3,100 miles on the backs of llamas. This Canada-Mexico trek illustrated to Cindy and her husband what experiential education can do. Inspired by the experience, they went on to create a new way of supplementing their children’s education, focusing on two arenas for learning: the natural world and travel.

In this age of world connection, it is important to raise broad-minded and empathetic children who are knowledgeable about other cultures. To accomplish this goal, Cindy chose an unorthodox approach: she orchestrated learning opportunities for her children, Sierra and Bryce, in twelve countries. The family traveled the world, moving about on foot and bicycle, living simply and intimately. But just as important, and more accessible for many parents, were the opportunities for learning closer to home.

These adventures brought intangible gifts: values—such as compassion, empathy, resilience, self-reliance, and gratitude, among others—not always fostered in a traditional curriculum but crucially important to raising children.

By sharing her story, along with honest insights from her children about the importance of their unusual education, Cindy aims to empower parents to believe they can be their children's best and most important educators. It is for parents who are seeking inspiration, who love a good story, and who are looking for an unorthodox way to raise the happiest, healthiest, and brightest children they can.

Product Details

ISBN-13: 9781510729568
Publisher: Skyhorse
Publication date: 09/11/2018
Pages: 264
Product dimensions: 6.10(w) x 9.10(h) x 1.10(d)

About the Author

Cindy Ross has written about raising children alternatively, via outdoor adventures and travel, for a variety of publications, including the Los Angeles Times, the Toronto Star, and Backpacker magazine. The author of six published books, she has lectured on the virtues of this educational approach and its effects on children’s creative minds and their thirst for learning for twenty-five years. Cindy lives in New Ringgold, Pennsylvania.

Table of Contents

Foreword xiii

Preface xv

Introduction: The Trail-Where the Learning Begins 1

Chapter 1 Learning from Play 15

Chapter 2 Learning from History 37

Chapter 3 Learning from International Travel 57

Chapter 4 Learning about Values and Priorities 77

Chapter 5 Learning from Wild Animals 91

Chapter 6 Learning from Other Faith Cultures 107

Chapter 7 Learning from Independent Travel 123

Chapter 8 Learning from Our Ancestors 139

Chapter 9 Learning from Self-Propelled Travel 153

Chapter 10 Learning from Pushing past Your Comfort Zone 171

Chapter 11 Learning to Blaze Your Own Trail 187

Epilogue 215

Reflections from Sierra and Bryce 219

Acknowledgements 227

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