Information for parents
Welcome to Feltwell Elementary School's Host Nation website. My name is Miss Grantham, and I am the Host Nation teacher for all grades from Kindergarten to 5th Grade. I hope you enjoy your time here in my home country, and that you will be able to explore as much of it as possible while you are here. Remember that a significant number of Americans never leave the U.S.A. and according to statistics issued by the State Department in January of 2011, the number of Americans holding a passport is 114,464,041. Given the country’s population of 307,006,550, about 63% of the population does not have one. This means that your children are incredibly lucky to have the opportunity to learn about the wider world through first hand experience.
In the Host Nation class your children will learn all about the United Kingdom. This will give them a better understanding of the place where they are living and it's people. The grade level they attend will determine the topics that they cover but there will be many opportunities to learn about the history, geography, culture and flora and fauna of the country.
In the Host Nation class your children will learn all about the United Kingdom. This will give them a better understanding of the place where they are living and it's people. The grade level they attend will determine the topics that they cover but there will be many opportunities to learn about the history, geography, culture and flora and fauna of the country.
How can I enhance my family's stay in the United Kingdom?
Get to know the locals! Whether you live on or off base, try to allow your children to mix with local children. A good, safe place to do this is signing your children up to local clubs. Instead of joining the on-base scout groups, why not let them join the local Rainbows, Brownies, Girl Guides or Beavers, Cubs, Scout groups - that way your whole family can get involved in the community through the children. If your children are interested in sport, allow them to join a local sports group. There are so many clubs and societies to join - just find one which suits your family in your local area.
Another idea might be to go to one of the local markets. East Anglia has many old market towns - some hold markets once or twice a week, others have them every day. There is nothing like shopping for fruit and vegetables from an open air market! There are great markets at Bury St. Edmunds, Downham Market, Swaffham, King's Lynn, Cambridge and Norwich to name but a few.
Food is another way to engage with British culture. Treat yourself to fish and chips, or eat a traditional Sunday lunch (Roast beef, yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings) at a local pub, for a reasonable cost. Alternatively, make friends with an English family and get invited to Sunday lunch! You could also enjoy a cup of tea served with scones, jam and cream at a traditional English tea room.
Finding places to visit isn't difficult. Of course, many of you will want to visit London and "do" Stonehenge; however, there is much more to this wonderful country than the obvious destinations. For good value visits to many of our stately homes, castles and other heritage sites, why not join the National Trust or English Heritage? - for economic purposes I recommend that you join one of these in your first year here and make the most of the free entry that membership offers you, and then join the other organisation the following year. That way, you'll never be short of anywhere to visit, but will ensure that you'll get the best value for money from each one!
For information about the local area and places to visit please visit the 'Out and About' pages on this website.
...and if you do run out of places to go and things to do, or you want to do something for free, you could always try Geocaching. Its something you can do anywhere in the world! Check out www.geocaching.com. I have also set up the Host Nation Challenge, so please check the Miss G's Host Nation Challenge page, too.
Of course, if you'd like more suggestions of places to visit (including places related to the topic I'm covering with your children), please come and ask me. I'll be more than happy to help.
Another idea might be to go to one of the local markets. East Anglia has many old market towns - some hold markets once or twice a week, others have them every day. There is nothing like shopping for fruit and vegetables from an open air market! There are great markets at Bury St. Edmunds, Downham Market, Swaffham, King's Lynn, Cambridge and Norwich to name but a few.
Food is another way to engage with British culture. Treat yourself to fish and chips, or eat a traditional Sunday lunch (Roast beef, yorkshire pudding and all the trimmings) at a local pub, for a reasonable cost. Alternatively, make friends with an English family and get invited to Sunday lunch! You could also enjoy a cup of tea served with scones, jam and cream at a traditional English tea room.
Finding places to visit isn't difficult. Of course, many of you will want to visit London and "do" Stonehenge; however, there is much more to this wonderful country than the obvious destinations. For good value visits to many of our stately homes, castles and other heritage sites, why not join the National Trust or English Heritage? - for economic purposes I recommend that you join one of these in your first year here and make the most of the free entry that membership offers you, and then join the other organisation the following year. That way, you'll never be short of anywhere to visit, but will ensure that you'll get the best value for money from each one!
For information about the local area and places to visit please visit the 'Out and About' pages on this website.
...and if you do run out of places to go and things to do, or you want to do something for free, you could always try Geocaching. Its something you can do anywhere in the world! Check out www.geocaching.com. I have also set up the Host Nation Challenge, so please check the Miss G's Host Nation Challenge page, too.
Of course, if you'd like more suggestions of places to visit (including places related to the topic I'm covering with your children), please come and ask me. I'll be more than happy to help.