The Passport Club is a geography program for elementary students to learn the world’s countries, continents, and many geographic locations (such as capitals, oceans, and mountain ranges).  Over 140 schools in the U.S. and around the world participate in this program.  Participation in the program is voluntary, although some teachers may encourage their whole class to participate in this enrichment program.

At the beginning of the year, students receive a passport to keep track of how many countries and locations they have learned.  Each student chooses their individual level of study and earns postage stamps for their passports.  

How does it work?

At Bonny Slope, students in the 1st through the 5th grade are eligible to participate.  At the beginning of each month, students are given a study map with new countries.  Students study primarily at home with family and friends.  At the end of the month parent volunteers will test students by asking them to point to a blank map and identify where each country is located.

Choosing a Passport Level

The Passport Club has five levels to choose from and each level builds on lower levels. The program was designed so students graduate to the next level each year, learning five to ten more countries with the lower levels as a review.  First graders learn level 1.  Second graders learn levels 1 and 2.  Third graders learn levels 1-3.  Fourth graders learn levels 1-4.  And fifth graders learn levels 1-5.  A student may learn more levels than is indicated by grade if he or she would prefer. 

Changing levels during the year

If a student finds the level he or she chose is too hard or too easy, the student can switch at any time.  Students should talk with their parents or teacher to decide which level is best for him or her. 

Passport Club check days

Passport Club Check Days are the last instructional Wednesday of each month.  CLICK HERE TO SEE THE TEST SCHEDULE.  

Passport makeup or retake

If students are absent on a Check Day, or miss some of the countries in their selected level, they can test for items missed during the next month’s Check Day. We will test items from the previous month.  Let the parent volunteer know before you begin testing.   

What are Special Itineraries?

For students who have mastered the Passport grade levels, we also offer additional tests for third, fourth, and fifth grade students.  Third and fourth grade students can learn the Passport levels plus a special itinerary designed for their grade.

Fifth grade students have the option to take the Continent Challenge and learn all countries in a single continent OR continue to study the various countries in the Passport levels (Levels 1-5).  CLICK HERE TO DETERMINE WHICH CONTINENT WILL BE TESTED.  

What if I am not a fifth grader, but want to take the Continent Challenge?

We suggest that students learn the Passport levels according to their grade.  If they require an additional challenge, students can also learn the Special Itineraries for their grade. The Special Itinerary often matches what is being taught at their grade level.  The continent challenge helps 5th grade students see all the countries in relation to each other within the seven continents.

How volunteers help students

The Bonny Slope Passport Club strives to help students retain what they have learned by offering geography enrichment programs.  Students can develop a better understanding about the countries they are studying. We have created several tools to help.

• Passport Club Study Hour.  Parent volunteers are available at school to review the study map with students.  If you would like your child(ren) to receive extra study time at school, he or she may sign up for the Passport Club Study Hour which meets every month the Tuesday before Check Day.  The scheduled time is from 3:15 to 4:15.This is a monthly commitment   It is extremely important for parents to remind children of their after school class and send a note to their teacher asking that your child(ren) be sent to the lobby for the Passport Club. Tutors are responsible for your child from the time they reach the lobby until the time they are picked up. Please pick up your child from the classroom where the Study Hour is held. There are signs in the school lobby that will direct you to the designated area. Children will not be allowed to go to the parking lot for pickup.  If requested, the tutors can escort the student to Student Stop at the end of the Study Hour. Please be on time when picking up your child(ren).

• Study Guides.  Study guides are available on the website and in the library.  The guides include study strategies, tips, instructional crossword puzzles, and word searches that will help students remember different countries and locations. 

• Bulletin Boards.  In the school hallway, look for the Passport Club bulletin board. Each month you will see an oversized study map with pictures of children, animals, and monuments from the countries being tested that month. We will also post interactive posters and ask students to help fill in maps, answer geography quizzes, and solve crossword puzzles and word searches displayed on the bulletin board. Our hope is that this material will help students remember the countries easier.

• Extra Materials.  If you lose a map or study guide, extra copies are kept in the library.

• Educational Resources.  Passport Club volunteers have compiled a list of their favorite geography TV shows, books, and websites.  The geography websites provide excellent interactive tools to help students identify geographic locations.  CLICK HERE FOR RESOURCES

How parents can help 

• Help your child(ren) decide which level is right for him/her.
• Support your child by learning together. Teachers may provide some time for learning at school, but students will succeed if you practice regularly at home. 
• We invite you to be a Passport Club volunteer. Parents, grandparents, and other caring adults have the opportunity to encourage children to succeed and feel good about geography.  Volunteers test students, distribute maps, help with traffic flow, create bulletin boards each month, and cut stamps.  Contact us to explore how you can help. 

Why participate in the Passport Club?

The Passport Club gives back in so many ways.  Students who participate in this program during the elementary years do well in middle school when world geography is part of the curriculum.  

Not only do students get to know other countries around the world, but they get to do so in an encouraging and caring atmosphere. They experience the excitement and challenge of being “tested” by moms, dads, and grandparents who are truly rooting for their success.

Volunteers get a chance to visit with one another on Check Day and, best of all, get to see their own child(ren) and their school’s student body.