• Using a map at an appropriate scale locate the place of origin of postcards or letters.
  
• Display a map showing the route to a holiday destination.
  
• Plan the detail of a journey - the stops, meal breaks, where and when fuel might be needed, overnight stops.
  
• Search for information about the places to be visited while on holiday.
  
• Make a list of questions to find answers to while on holiday.
  
• Write a letter or send an e-mail request for information from the local Tourist Information office.
  
• Compile a display showing what life is like in the places visited.
  
• Run a question and answer session in class for pupils to ask each other questions about places they visited.

• Make animals from pipe cleaners.
  
• Make up games using the letters and numbers on car registration plates. For example, find words which use the letters in the same order, or devise sums which involve adding or multiplying the numerals together
  
• Complete an 'I have seen ...' tick sheet with words or pictures of things you might see out of the window
  
• Make surveys for about five minutes of, for example, colours of cars, types of vehicles, shapes passed, traffic lights.
  
• Go through the alphabet thinking of objects or names beginning with each letter in turn.

• Send a postcard to the class with a picture which shows some significant landmark, feature or aspect of life in the place you are staying.
  
• Find out what is grown or produced in the local area. Are there any regional or local specialities?
  
• Discover how many different forms of transport are used in the place visited.
  
• Try to discover the meaning and origin of local place names or the meaning of symbols on road signs.
  
• Discover how the place you are visiting is changing. What are the current issues affecting the lives of local people?
  
• Draw pictures or make a sketch map of what you can see from where you are staying. Show it to people who have never been there.
  
• Take photographs of people and places that you can talk about back at school.
  
• Collect artefacts such as coins, stamps, tickets, leaflets, carrier bags and wrapping paper. Do not remove things such as flowers, and taken nothing from conservation areas except photographs.
  
• Find a quiet or a noisy place, look around, and then write down all the words which come into your head.
  
• If you don’t know the language, learn a few words or phrases.

Making good use of your time

• 'I’ve downloaded the last 5 years’ exam papers from exam bodies so that I can be confident that I will be teaching my AS/A2 groups what they need.'
  
• 'I’m going on holiday to Kenya, and I’m specifically going to be looking for good photo opportunities that show the impact of tourism.'
  
• 'I’m teaching a new area so I’m going to spend time getting to know the local area, and in particular getting the local newspaper.'
  
• 'My new school have given me a copy of the school handbook. I’d like to get familiar with their policies so I’m confident about procedures in September.'
  
• 'I’m going to Cuba, so I’m taking my video recorder with me. I particularly want to record people talking about the impact of rationing.'
  
• 'My new classroom has a panoramic view of London. I want to make sure I know all the sites so I can use it as a resource next year.'
  
• 'I’m going to join a union, and read 'How to Survive Your First Year of Teaching’ (Sue Cowley, 2003, published by Continuum International, London).'
  
• 'I want to organise all that I’ve done this year so that I can use it quickly and easily next year.'
  
• 'I have got lots of really cheap plastic folders - I’m going to be doing lots of filing!'
  
• 'I’m worried about differentiation. So I’m going to look through the schemes of work and come up with some good ideas for next year.'
  
• 'I’m going to keep my eye out for information about the Olympics that I could use as resources.' [Check out last month’s theme - Sporting geography.]
  
• 'When I go away, I’m going to check out some cheap fieldwork clothes so I’ve got the right gear!'
  
• 'My school has a really diverse student body. I want to acquaint myself with the different cultural groups.'
  
• 'I’m going to spend the summer getting together some really good pictures for displays.'
  
• 'I’ll be checking out local newspapers so that I can learn about the local feeder primary schools before I start.'
  
• 'I’m going to take some time off and really enjoy myself!'