Discussion includes the qualities needed for real ship construction, and the needs of planning and packing for a voyage. Students embark on a mock voyage and list all possible needs and wants. Guidelines are set and they work in groups using pictionaries for help. They group items under headings such as Food, Clothing, Health, and Other. The list is sent home to parents who are invited to donate usable items to send to school for a local outreach program.
Students construct a large model ship to hold the items.
They keep a record of all incoming items. They fill the ship, then remove items, sort them into categories and evaluate their worth for the mock voyage. Selected items are packed into the trunk. Success is determined when the lid closes on the trunk. Students research famous ships and explorers, and report to the class sing books, maps and a globe.