Homeschool Chat

[wvdislover]

Quick question for anyone going to Disney for the Homeschooling Days in Sept...I got an email telling me to register for the fun...but the link sent me to a page to order tickets...I already have my park tickets. Is there something else I need to do?

We want to try and get in some of the fun...but don't need to order tickets. We are getting ours through the military salute...


Nini

Good question...we have MYW tickets with free dining, so we don't need tickets, either. I wonder if we can just pay the $16(?) like the AP holders can, and go to the hs activities.

Another question...the YES site is a bit confusing. If the kids want to do a YES program, do they have to pay $25, or is that just a cost for parents who feel they need to stay with their kids? Are the YES programs listed on the homeschool days the only YES programs they're offering during hs days? I'm just not sure if my kids would enjoy any of the programs they're offering

 

[lori1043]

I called about this last year and was told that we couldn't get in on all the cool options with them unless we bought our package through them, but I wanted free dining b//c it was less $$, but was told more than once I could not just pay the $$ to enjoy all the extras. I was told on here that i was wrong, so PLEASE call them and let us know what they say. I have a trip planned for this time with free dining too but gave up on combining the 2 since I was told no last year.

I was also willing to pay for the activities seperately.

I tried many different ways and called them many times-it was very discouraging. It all came down too getting thier package, which had good priced tickets and all the extras, but no free dining, which saved us more.

Please let us know what you learn...

Lori

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Ooo, I would love to know the answer to this as well. We're going back next September and will be booking to get the free dining if it is offered again, I thought we'd still be able to enjoy the HS activities. Bummer.

Lori, were there any activities you were able to participate in, or were you not able to do anything with the HS days at all?

 

[Corinne Johnson]

Hey Corinne~ I pmed you last week, then talked to my friend and said, No Way---that's not her. I don't think she's even hsing anymore!! So, sorry about that!!! I was sure you were her!!!
Anyway, I love the look of your books---I think I am gonna go ahead and order them and we can look over them thru the summer----especially the Epcot countries. They won't even think of that as school----Disney can't be school, right. Can't wait to try this out!!!!!

Nothing to apologize for. I don't even know how to get personal messages. I'm just barely figuring out how to navigate this site.

Our family is still homeschooling... even starting to plan high school curriculum now.

 

[Corinne Johnson]

We started with Animal Kingdom, and so far we are doing some really indepth stuff on the various animals.

My daughter has even marked a few things she wants to go back to once we get back home. My plans are to go through all 3 books before we go in September.

By the way...Corrine, is there going to be one for Hollywood Studios? I know you have included some things about the movies of Disney through out, but was wondering if there was going to be one for that park alone...although it would probably be mainly just film history....

Nini

No plans for a specific Hollywood Studios book at the moment. Thinking about SeaWorld next (it would be similar in design to AK, except more about marine life and oceanography). Next year, I want to write updated versions, and I may pull together a Studios one then.

I'm thinking of offering the countries individually as mini units on the site; like instead of buying the whole Epcot book, you could just buy Mexico. Any thoughts? I love to hear other peoples ideas!

 

[Corinne Johnson]

I don't want a catholic curriculum. I don't want a slanted version of science & history.

Our daughter was just confirmed this year, and she had a class of boys that talked a lot about sports. She didn't feel like she was really understanding the faith that she was being confirmed into from the class. We worked with her at home using the catechism book. We went through the question and answer sections, referenced the corresponding Scriptures and surrounding passages, and made sure that she had a good understanding. We didn't want her to stand before God and say she believed something that she didn't truly. I would suggest using your Bible and your catechism book directly, and not worry about finding a curriculum for this. Just my opinion.

 

[Corinne Johnson]

I was checking your site and tried to see the sample page for the MK book and I got an error. Is there a way to check it out? What are the target ages for your units?

I think I fixed that link just yesterday, and I am working on posting more samples (little by little).

We put the books together using our homeschool co-op kids (about 18 of them ages 4-14). Some of the literature based units in Magic Kingdom do have some more advanced concepts for the older kids.

 

[Corinne Johnson]

Newbie over here in the homeschooling department. My oldest is 5

Any info would be great, I kow I'm not going to get the moral support from my family.

Just a word of encouragement. We've been homeschooling 8 years, and my experience is that the people who are your strongest opposition today will likely be your biggest supporters later. This is because they are the people who care the most about your children. My mom was certain I was screwing up (even abusing) her grandchildren when we first started; now she loves to take the kids out on "school" days and show them off, saying, "MY DAUGHTER homeschools, see how wonderful her children are."

It takes time for some people to come around, but those who care for you now, will still care for you later, and they will see the results in the young men and women that you are raising.

 

[Corinne Johnson]

I called about this last year and was told that we couldn't get in on all the cool options with them unless we bought our package through them, but I wanted free dining b//c it was less $$, but was told more than once I could not just pay the $$ to enjoy all the extras. I was told on here that i was wrong, so PLEASE call them and let us know what they say. I have a trip planned for this time with free dining too but gave up on combining the 2 since I was told no last year.

I was also willing to pay for the activities seperately.

I tried many different ways and called them many times-it was very discouraging. It all came down too getting thier package, which had good priced tickets and all the extras, but no free dining, which saved us more.

Please let us know what you learn...

Lori

We've gotten great info. from 3DTravel (they host the Ultimate Field Trip for homeschoolers every year). The agents that work there are homeschoolers and cater specifically to homeschoolers. They ARE authorized Disney agents, also, which means they can usually work through any Disney restrictions and help you get what you want. I know that if you book through them, you can get in on all the educational group activities and get togethers (these are an extra fee), and still get free dining. We did get a quote from them for this coming September, and were very happy with the service/prices, etc.

I don't know the specific answers to your questions, but I think they would.

 

[lori1043]

Ooo, I would love to know the answer to this as well. We're going back next September and will be booking to get the free dining if it is offered again, I thought we'd still be able to enjoy the HS activities. Bummer.

Lori, were there any activities you were able to participate in, or were you not able to do anything with the HS days at all?

No , but Corinne mentions a place (above) that you can try. I may try them next time, but I am already booked. Don't think badly of me now, but if we do get to go on the Seote 2009 trip, I am so wigged out over the move thing that I don't wanna do anything educational-I just wanna relax and have fun!!I tend to educational things anyway, so i sure some will get in thier little brains, but man! we are stressed.

No plans for a specific Hollywood Studios book at the moment. Thinking about SeaWorld next (it would be similar in design to AK, except more about marine life and oceanography). Next year, I want to write updated versions, and I may pull together a Studios one then.

I'm thinking of offering the countries individually as mini units on the site; like instead of buying the whole Epcot book, you could just buy Mexico. Any thoughts? I love to hear other peoples ideas!

Thank you Corinne, for the info.

Please post your website(again, if you've done it, please), I am interested. I think I have seen it before while browsing. I have a half written WS curriculum that we did Jan 2008 and loved it, but I never finished it. I think it is cool what you are doing!

A Sea World one sounds great-esp b/c we are moving closer to one!


Lori

 

[NiniMorris]

No plans for a specific Hollywood Studios book at the moment. Thinking about SeaWorld next (it would be similar in design to AK, except more about marine life and oceanography). Next year, I want to write updated versions, and I may pull together a Studios one then.

I'm thinking of offering the countries individually as mini units on the site; like instead of buying the whole Epcot book, you could just buy Mexico. Any thoughts? I love to hear other peoples ideas!

Corrine...I love the idea of a mini unit on each country! Our next visit won't be for 2 years...bummer...that would give a lot of exra time to add and supplement.

BTW, we just started EPCOT (about half way through Animal Kingdom) and my daughter was upset that we were through with Mexico! She is actually WANTING to research on her own!

Nini

 

[disneyelaine]

Has anyone used Winter Promise here? Did you like it ok? We have used Sonlight 3 & 4 and I am thinking of Quest for Ancient World Winter Promise this year. I really HAVE to have a boxed type set, that tells me what to do each day. I liked Sonlight, but it seems we only get thru half the books each year. It is way too much reading & I hate not getting thru in one year! But it did work ok. I hear Winter Promise is similar, but not as much reading.
Anyone have any experience?

One year I bought the Whole Calvert Grade 5 set and only got to use it about a week before I tossed that aside. It was too much textbook. Costly
mistake. So I don't want to do that again. BTW, if anyone wants the Calvert Grade 5, PM me. I will let it go cheap!

I bought Oak Meadow once, but was able to send it back. Did not like it at all.

 

[GoofyG]

Just a word of encouragement. We've been homeschooling 8 years, and my experience is that the people who are your strongest opposition today will likely be your biggest supporters later. This is because they are the people who care the most about your children. My mom was certain I was screwing up (even abusing) her grandchildren when we first started; now she loves to take the kids out on "school" days and show them off, saying, "MY DAUGHTER homeschools, see how wonderful her children are."

It takes time for some people to come around, but those who care for you now, will still care for you later, and they will see the results in the young men and women that you are raising.

Thanks for the encouraging words!

 

[GoofyG]

First I would say slow down, don't worry about getting books etc for the 3 yo...........not necessary, just using imagination and play they learn thru living life! here is a great article
http://www.besthomeschooling.org/articles/lillian_jones_ps_kdgtn.html

when you say you have a learning disability in math, what do you mean?
you hate math, can't learn it, can't do it, had lots of trouble understanding?

I had to go into a lab class for my math. Like I said it was a learning disability. Alot of times, it was needing different wording. I had to have IEP's in school and everything.

 

[Denine]

Has anyone used Winter Promise here? Did you like it ok? We have used Sonlight 3 & 4 and I am thinking of Quest for Ancient World Winter Promise this year. I really HAVE to have a boxed type set, that tells me what to do each day. I liked Sonlight, but it seems we only get thru half the books each year. It is way too much reading & I hate not getting thru in one year! But it did work ok. I hear Winter Promise is similar, but not as much reading.
Anyone have any experience?

One year I bought the Whole Calvert Grade 5 set and only got to use it about a week before I tossed that aside. It was too much textbook. Costly
mistake. So I don't want to do that again. BTW, if anyone wants the Calvert Grade 5, PM me. I will let it go cheap!

I bought Oak Meadow once, but was able to send it back. Did not like it at all.

I have looked into Winter Promise and was intrigued. DD likes Calvert though so we are not switching.

 

[lori1043]

I am SOOOO graduating my kids in Disney. 3D travel has some awesome.

Lori

 

[graygables]

Good question...we have MYW tickets with free dining, so we don't need tickets, either. I wonder if we can just pay the $16(?) like the AP holders can, and go to the hs activities.

Another question...the YES site is a bit confusing. If the kids want to do a YES program, do they have to pay $25, or is that just a cost for parents who feel they need to stay with their kids? Are the YES programs listed on the homeschool days the only YES programs they're offering during hs days? I'm just not sure if my kids would enjoy any of the programs they're offering

Yes, you can just order the tickets separately (I'm a Cast Member, so our admission is already covered ) The YES programs are $25 per person, with a limit of one adult ticket for each child ticket (both parents can't attend with one child). Each attendee must have his own ticket. I did not attend w/ my DDs, so I just bought them tickets. As for the programs, yes, those are the only ones offered during the homeschool days. I was a bit disappointed with the choices myself.

 

[3princesses+aprince]

Ok, I don't want to sound dumb here but are the YES programs different from other programs offered? Or are they the only ones? I thought I remember reading a trip report one time where they had tables set up through the park to stop at and participate in an activity! Do you have to pay for those separately, besides the $25 for the YES program?

Thanks

 

[Corinne Johnson]

Thank you Corinne, for the info.

Please post your website(again, if you've done it, please)


Lori

Our website is www.vacationeducationbooks.net
Thanks for asking.

 

[Corinne Johnson]

Corrine
BTW, we just started EPCOT (about half way through Animal Kingdom) and my daughter was upset that we were through with Mexico! She is actually WANTING to research on her own!

Nini

That is so great to hear!