The PP and I rarely agree
, but in this case we do.
Why use - even adapt - a format from a website? Couldn't the OP determine her/his own reasons why this trip will be educational for the student? For that matter, can't the student have some input? What does he or she think will be educational; possibly even how will that tie in to what's being taught in class?
I actually didn't use a form letter. I started with the form letter that was posted here but when a PP posted for me a blog link where a Disney blog has made a post explaining how all the Disney parks are educational and what parts of them are educational, I used the blog post more than the letter.
I asked for help with it because I didn't know what to say. I couldn't say what was or wasn't educational at Disney, but I do now.
Since the school asked for the letter I am giving them the letter. She didn't say it had to be an original letter written by me in my own words. There were no specific details.
Let me post a copy of what I am using here so you can all see what I concocted from the form letter and the blog post.
OK< here it is, it's long.
TO: (Principal name & Teacher name)
FROM: (Parents name)
RE: (Child’s name) Disney vacation dates 10/27-11/5/11
Please be advised that (Child’s name) will be out of school during the week of October 27th through November 5th. We ask that their absences be excused.
The reason for (Child’s name) absence is that our family will be out of the state during this week. While we are gone, we will be visiting Walt Disney World. We believe that the kids will be learning many things during this trip and that his education will continue in his absence from school.
There are so many educational aspects at WDW. It’s teeming with history, geography, culture, science, math, economics, science and more!
Some things (Child’s name) will learn about:
Epcot World Showcase: Children can explore the different cultures of the world in the 11 various World Showcase Pavilions of Canada, United Kingdom, France, Morocco, Italy, Germany, Japan, China, Norway, Mexico, and America. My children will be able to learn about the architecture, languages, diet and dress of each country. They will also be able to talk to the cast members in each country. The World Showcase cast members are actually from the country in whose pavilion they work! They can learn about the flags, learn to say hello in each language, learn capitals and more!
American History: Children can learn all about the U.S. Presidents by witnessing the The Hall of Presidents presentation at the Magic Kingdom. This show highlights every U.S. President from George Washington to current President Barack Obama. The show focuses on the role of slavery in America and tells how early leaders debated slavery from the Constitutional Convention to the Lincoln-Douglas debates. They can witness the American Adventure Show in the American pavilion in Epcot and learn about the beginnings of the United States of America. This show combines film footage and Audio-Animatronics of dozens of historic figures and is as moving as it is educational. Listen to Ben Franklin and Mark Twain tell the story of America, beginning with the Pilgrims and going through World War II. Children will see George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, Will Rogers and Rosie the Riveter.
Epcot Future World: Children can learn about science by exploring Mission:Space. My children will have the chance to see and feel what it would be like to travel by rocket to Mars. Children can experience the Universe of Energy exhibit, which teaches about fossil fuels energy and conservation. The Circle of Life show in The Land Pavilion teaches about environmental protection. The Innoventions Pavilion allows children to participate in hands-on activities showcasing interesting innovations and new technologies. The Living with the Land ride is an indoor boat ride through greenhouses full of plants and aquaculture tanks. Many of the plants that you see growing are used in the Garden Grill. The Seas with Nemo and Friends teach children about aquatic life and offers many exhibits for children to take part in. Children can view marine exhibits complete with dolphins and manatees. Spaceship Earth is a slow-moving ride in the “big golf ball” (as children call it) that uses Animatronics to teach about the history of communication. Test Track lets children take part in a GM test vehicle as they zip around an indoor-outdoor track, learning what tests cars have to go through before they can be sold to the public. Throughout Future World, there are numerous learning activities for children of all ages!
Disney’s Animal Kingdom- What better place to learn about nature and conservation? This 110-acre theme park, the largest Disney theme park, features an African savanna and safari, up-close encounters with animals of all kinds as well as a Conservation Station, where children can learn about conservation efforts being made across the world as well as Disney’s part in those efforts. Disney’s Animal Kingdom’s zoological operations are respected worldwide, but Disney keeps them fully hidden from its guests by man-made hills, rivers and rocks. Scientists are breeding endangered species, and on-site researchers are there studying animal behaviors. DAK is a member of the AZA (Association of Zoos and Aquariums). Disney wants you to see the “real” world of animals, however, and not a zoo. Observation windows at Conservation Station let you look in on medical procedures on animals while veterinarians explain what is going on. Other windows display researchers studying elephant vocalizations and tracking a sea turtle off of the Florida coast. Kids can learn more about the park’s primates and other animals with remote animal-cams. Children can listen to hear thunder and insects; they can “speak” with Dr. Jane Goodall or George Schaller of the Tibet Wildlife Reserve. They can view a film on endangered species and get a closer look at various animals when the Cast Members bring out animals for closer viewing.
Economics: Children have the opportunity to learn about economics as well by managing his/her own spending money. Children are able to make budget decisions on how to spend their money. They can also work with saving at the hands-on at The Great Piggy Bank Adventure. T. Rowe Price worked with Disney to create this interactive game to teach families the importance of financial planning. You can do the game as a single or up to 3 people can compete on a team. There are a number of stations where you start the game. There are plenty of cast members to help you along the way.
Art: Children can learn about art, animation and the history of film at Disney’s Hollywood Studios.
(Child’s name) will also be learning about map reading by navigating in and to the different theme parks, as well as the resorts and water parks via the Disney bus system, sociological aspects of crowds including patterns and behavior, physics of the different rides, breakthroughs in technology at the Innoventions computer lab in Epcot, art and animation and the history of film, and mathematics.
We believe this will be a wonderful and educational experience for the kids and hope you agree not to charge him with unexcused absences as a result. If it is possible for (child’s name) to make arrangements to get any work that will be due while they are gone, please let us know as soon as possible. I am not sure if you want him to do the work before he goes or if we will just get a packet of work when he gets back.
Thank you for your attention to this. If you have any questions or need any further information, please feel free to contact me.
(Parent’s name)
(Parents signature)
(Parent’s phone number and email)
