Help me make an attractive educational trip school request for my children

[Mskanga]

What can I write that's short and sums up what we can learn at WDW??

 

[rbuzzotta]

My daughter, when in Kindergarten, took a daily log of the whether, what she did that day (Epcot day was wonderful), the various people we met and where they were from and the mileage from their home to Disney.

She also learned how to have fun, fun, fun........how to be a courteous employee (CM's), we counted different states we drove thru, and she (with help) read the trip tik from AAA about each state etc............

Teachers here frown when you take your children out of school for vacations (I understand both sides, not looking for a debate), but it is definetly a learning experience while spending quality family time together.

Have fun

 

[worm761]

there was a thread kind of like this on the family board a few weeks ago.

what about the hall of presidents? epcot? AK?

 

[Cindy B]

Lets see.. you can talk about the different animals at AK, what species, what types of food they eat, what needs to be done, etc.. ( a quick 5-7 question interview with an AK animal person would work)..an interview could be arranged I bet through guest services.. say its a school project.

Maybe go into how AKL is trying to be like Africa, with the themeing.. did any come from Africa? What regions? What are the customs of certain African cultures... why is Zimbabwe different than say, South Africa?

Ask for take home sheets.. I'm sure they are printed out. Maybe a education division or something like that.


Lets see... Epcot.. how did inventions help us? What did technology do to change America? What Uses do a computer have besides internet? (some kids only see it as an internet portal only?)


Magic Kingdom, how did the original fairy tales of Cinderella, Snow White.. compare with the Disney versions... check out versions from the library compare...

If you can interview a face character, or something like that, (maybe a show employee... if you cant do face characters) how is the entertainment industry? (this one would be good for your ten year old).. how challenging was it? What do you need to do for auditions? ...(this could be a career paper)

You could probably talk to guest services and say, hey my children are writing a paper would like to have a very short interview... etc..


Animation process... animation tour at MGM... how a drawing becomes a film.. what processes does it do? What type of things need to be done?

 

[Annie&Hallie'sMom]

I'd definitely think WS at Epcot would be a great learning process. With the Kidcot stations, you could learn a little something about all those countries!

 

[aprincessmom]

We took DD out last year right after Thanksgiving (her school had no formal vacation schedules so we could go whenever). She was in kindergarden. Some of the assignments (that I remember) from her teacher were:

1. 
   Keep a journal and write down the your most favorite memory of that day.
   
   Learn how to pronounce and write "Please" and "Thank you" in at least 5 different languages (if she did them all -- which she did -- she got extra credit)
   
   Learn about holiday traditions from at least 3 different countries and report back to the class
   
   Keep a picture diary using a camera to take pictures of big and little (concepts they were learning that month).
   
   Bring back park maps so they could use them in future lessons on maps and directions
   [/list=1]

 

[Suzy Mouse]

What are the ages of your children?

 

[Mskanga]

The children's ages are 9 and 5. I'm not really concerned about the 5 yr old because the teacher has no problem at all, she already asked me if I would take her, LOL, but my oldest is in 4th grade and the teacher may have a bit more of a problem, I just want to make it a bit more interesting than just the plain going to WDW reason.
Keep the examples coming, I love it and it really helps. Thanks.

 

[Mish19]

Maybe you can find out what makes the monorail or the WDW train run? I'm sure the pilot or conductor could explain some stuff.
The Polynesian resort has many regions, maybe you could speak with CM's there. When I went to the Luau the narrator was very informative of the cultures and traditions.
Doesn't WDW have a junior chef program? Your child could learn to cook/bake.

 

[Mskanga]

Oh MY!! My DD would be in heaven if she could take a culinary lesson in WDW, she loves it!

 

[Mskanga]

Oh MY!! My DD would be in heaven if she could take a culinary lesson in WDW, she loves it!

 

[Suzy Mouse]

I've been trying to look throught a fourth grade curriculum to give you some ideas. Until I find some let me give you the "Disney-freak Teacher" advice.

If one of my students were going to Disney I would be thrilled for them and wouldn't care that their parents feel that Disney is more important than the valuable education I provide for them every day. (I'd rather be in Disney myself at ANY given time!!! )

However..those OTHER non-Disney teachers may feel the following:

1.Your child will be missing work and will be difficult for the teacher to make up with him/her. Make sure you ask for them to send home any work they need to make up..which a teacher may not have ahead of time.

2. They feel that any note you give them is a bunch of hooeybalooey and feel that there is nothing you can do in Disney that replaces what they are doing in the classroom. What is important to them are the big tests that they have to prepare the students for come spring.

Now my final suggestion to you...
Write the note stating how long your child will be out of the classroom. Ask them for any of the work he/she will be missing...if available. Have your child bring home the text books so that they can read any material they will be missing. You might not want to take these books on vacation. Finally...enjoy your vacation and let your child do the same!!!

*I'll still look at that curriculum if you're not happy with this!!

 

[tlgoblue]

Did the teacher request this note? If not, make no apologies. Take your vacation and deal with any fallout upon your return. This may not even be an issue. If your child is a good student, catching up should not be a problem. If this is "one of those" teachers, whose attitude on missing school for a family vacation is less than welcoming, so what? You know your child and your family's situation. Sometimes, in this hectic world, families need some time off, and some families can't afford to take pricey, peak season vacations. Would anyone rather a stressful family life be brought to school every day? If your family needs this vacation, then do it. Not every minute of every school day needs to be about 4th grade. It just might be connecting with each other, so on those bad days we all have, we can remember just how lucky we are to have a family to fall back on.

Write the note stating how long your child will be out of the classroom. Ask them for any of the work he/she will be missing...if available. Have your child bring home the text books so that they can read any material they will be missing. You might not want to take these books on vacation.

I agree. Anything else invites the possibility that the teacher thinks you need to make excuses, and don't feel right about taking your child out of school for a silly vacation. Don't even go there. Have fun!

Tracy

 

[Sandy51]

I teach 7th grade. I don't mind when students take trips. I realize that not everyone can take their vacations in the summer. It only bothers me if it is finals week. I encourage the parents of my students to give their child a disposable camera and let them shoot pictures that they find interesting. It can be made into a creative writing assignment with photos included or something different, for example, a travel brochure.

Have a wonderful trip!

Sandy