*** Homeschool List ***

[Jesussavedme]

Some More Disney Homeschooling Ideas:

The trip itself teaches budgeting and you could have your child write a trip journal.

Epcot - Besides the Geography factor, take in the Living Seas and study ocean life, take in The Land and study horticulture etc...
BTW, I created mini passports for my kids (more interesting than the ones you can buy at Epcot). Each page the country listed, their flag, had 3 questions about the country which they had to find answers for from a Disney cast member. The CM's got into this and enjoyed it. Also, learn how to say and write one thing in the other language and cost permitting, try one new food from the country's fast food places.

Magic Kingdom - Read Tom Sawyer and the Swiss Family Robinson and visit Tom Sawyer's Island and the Treehouse at MK.
Study the physics of the rollercoaster, for older kids.
Read the biography of Walt Disney.
Review the Disney shareholders report and look at financial statements, for older kids.


http://www.teachyourchildrenwell.org/forum/viewtopic.php?p=2981
if you want to read the whole thing.

Have fun!

 

[Jesussavedme]

a good link to explore...

http://dep.disney.go.com/educational/lessons

 

[Jesussavedme]

Loved the you know you're a homeschool mom...!

Magic Kingdom= PE (running to all the rides)

Can anyone tell I'm excited to go in less than 2 weeks?

I am still laughing my head off! What a good idea!!!!!!
And how TRUE!

Have a great time, are you out of school by that time or are you working in a lesson?

 

[daretodream]

We've been homeschooling since 1999. I was a public school educator that thought homeschooling was just an awful thing to do to a child. My how things change! We began by taking one year at a time, and now it's hard to believe it's been 7 years! We have found what works for us!

 

[Denine]

I am still laughing my head off! What a good idea!!!!!!
And how TRUE!

Have a great time, are you out of school by that time or are you working in a lesson?

We will and DD is only 3-1/2, but it is never too early to learn!

 

[jaycns]

I AGREE!! This is a great catalogue!! Also, if you like Love to Learn, you will probably like TIMBERDOODLE!! They are very similar, and I love the educational games and thinking games they have to offer!!

Oh, BTW - My name is Chris, and I am a homeschooling mom to three kiddos ages 11, 8 and 5. I have been homeschooling for 5 years, and I LOVE IT!! I am a relaxed homeschooler - not totally unschooler (although, lately we look like unschoolers!!) I've used miquon math (which is just amazing, and sold for a very low price at timberdoodle) and Singapore math, again, a great program for a low price.I also love Teach YOUR CHILD TO READ IN 100 EASY LESSONS! This uses the DISTAR method of reading, and It is a few minutes a day sitting with your child on your lap! YOUR CHILD WILL BE READING BY A THIRD GRADE LEVEL upon completion! It is amazing. Of course, nothing works the same for every child. But, I liked it very well!! phonics pathways is another great program, History of the World (all volumes) and FIAR (for my littlest, she loves to read!!) The boys love anything Captain Underpants - or magazines, and reading is reading to me - I am involved in our local homeschooling organization, and we do many co-op classes, letterboxing, field trips, gym classes, etc.!! I believe nature is the best classroom!! We are planning our first FAMILY trip to Disney for Jan 13, 2007 (I've been before, well - a million years ago as a child )
I can't wait! My copy of The Passporter came a few days ago, and I am even MORE excited (if that is possible) - actually, I think I am more excited than my kids!!

It is nice to meet all my fellow homeschoolers

Chris

Nice to meet you too Chris. It has been a lot of fun seeing that other DISers home school too.

When my copy of the Passporter came in the mail (I got mine from eBay) I did a happy dance.

When you said History of the World, did you mean Story of the World or is there another series **always on the look out for great history stuff**. We use Story of the World (we are on year/book 3 right now) and we LOVE it!!

Will any other home school families be at WDW from 9/16-9/23? How about from 9/30-10/3?

Hope you all have a great day!

 

[disneymom3]

hey jaycns--we are on year two of SOTW! Just got my year 3 stuff from Amazon yesterday and I had hold back from reading it.

Denine, my current fav book is Abundant Life Homeschooling by Diana Waring. She was at our convention last year and I basically told my friends "If you want me, I'll be in Diana Waring's room!" I just bought this last weekend Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe and it is really good too. Makes me laugh and cry. It is written by Todd Wilson and I actually went to the talk he gave of the same title. He is even funnier in person!

I have a question--are you all taking the summer off or do you just push on through?? We take the summer off of things like math and spelling, but this year we will be studying Yellowstone to prepare for our trip in Sept and we will be finishing up our Astronomy book that we are making very slow progress in. We take the summer off more for me to gear up for a new year than anything else and to be able to take advantage of the decent weather while we can!

 

[Praise2Him]

jaycns,

We will just miss you - DD and I will be at PC Sept. 7 - 14 for Night of Joy!

On the subject though, it would be neat to plan a homeschool meet at the World sometime!

Lisa

 

[learnhome]

Nice to meet you too Chris. It has been a lot of fun seeing that other DISers home school too.

When you said History of the World, did you mean Story of the World or is there another series **always on the look out for great history stuff**. We use Story of the World (we are on year/book 3 right now) and we LOVE it!!

Oooops! My mistake, I DID mean to say Story of the World.......did I mention that in actuality, it is MY children that are homeschooling ME??

I DO love Story of The world Series!!! Also, MY fAVORITIST FAVORITIST book in the whole world of homeschooling is "A practical guide Homeschooling the Challenging Child" by Christine M. Field.....although it IS written by a Christian Mother.......it can still be enjoyed (or at least I think so) by non-Christians...(I am not saying I am not....but, some religious related books can be hard to read if you are not in that particular religion, and I like to be kind and considerate of ALL Faiths!!! I have a challenging child (my middle boy, 8 years old) He has dislexia, and severe food allergies......makes each day interesting depending on his mood... Anyway, I am happy b/c I went shopping at the Disney Store today and saved a bunch of $$$$$. I had a 15% coupon off entire order, and they are having an extra 25% off of anything marked 25% off today.....so, I got my kids tons and tons of awesome t-shirts, pants, ect. for bargain prices.............oh, I love to save money

Chris

 

[jaycns]

Oooops! My mistake, I DID mean to say Story of the World.......did I mention that in actuality, it is MY children that are homeschooling ME??

I DO love Story of The world Series!!! Also, MY fAVORITIST FAVORITIST book in the whole world of homeschooling is "A practical guide Homeschooling the Challenging Child" by Christine M. Field.....although it IS written by a Christian Mother.......it can still be enjoyed (or at least I think so) by non-Christians...(I am not saying I am not....but, some religious related books can be hard to read if you are not in that particular religion, and I like to be kind and considerate of ALL Faiths!!! I have a challenging child (my middle boy, 8 years old) He has dislexia, and severe food allergies......makes each day interesting depending on his mood... Anyway, I am happy b/c I went shopping at the Disney Store today and saved a bunch of $$$$$. I had a 15% coupon off entire order, and they are having an extra 25% off of anything marked 25% off today.....so, I got my kids tons and tons of awesome t-shirts, pants, ect. for bargain prices.............oh, I love to save money

Chris

I am going to take a look at that book. I was spoiled by my first son, curious, always ready to work, loves to learn, actually excited about learning almost (he does have his very few off days but then we just don't work since they are so infrequent)every time we start any lesson. Then it was back to reality for me this year when I added in my second son. Next year, I will be adding in my third son (who has sensory problems...mild at this point, he has almost outgrown them but still there). THANKS for letting me know about it!

 

[jaycns]

Have any of you put together any lesson plans featuring any of the Disney parks?

I was thinking of starting to do a little bit of work on that for our trip this coming September (we will be there long enough to do a few days of "fun work" and still have a lot of time to just enjoy the magic). I am not looking for anything work intensive...just some ideas for learning oppurtunities before to kick start our trip, after to follow up (and extend my "magic" time even longer) or even something to do during.

We are also taking a cruise. I found a GREAT pirate unit study online at the Pirate Soul Museum. This link takes you right to the unit study itself. The museum is located in Key West and during our shore time here we are going to visit.
http://www.piratesoul.com/downloads/Pirate_Soul_Educators_Guide.pdf

We are also going to study beach ecosystems, tides, marine biology, island ecology and a bunch of other related subjects to prepare. I figure it will make more of an impression if they are able to say "OH look, that's a _________".

So...long question short, have any of you ever heard of a Disney unit study or developed one you would be willing to share yourselves?

Also, any and all ideas for learning activities while at WDW would be appreciated. Thanks!!

 

[Denine]

Thanks for the book suggestions, especially the challenging child. I know I have one!

 

[learnhome]

Thanks for the book suggestions, especially the challenging child. I know I have one!

Just know that you are not alone with that one! But,the very fact that you are aware, you homeschool, and you are willing to invest the time and energy on your child, he/she will grow to become a wonderful human being! I truly believe this in my heart!!! Sometimes I look at my little Jordan (i.e. challenging child) and I want to just scream at the top of my lungs!! Then, I sit back, relax, and focus on all of his wonderful qualities. It isn't always easy. But, momma always said "raisin' kids was the hardest job you'll ever have!" Boy, was momma right

He is going to be so overwhelmed with Disney. Speaking of which, any suggestions on how you can possibly "ease" a child into Disney??? Which park to visit first/last??? Any good books on Disney for kids?

Chris

 

[disneymom3]

Hey, guys--first off, have any of you ever heard Todd Wilson speak? If you get the chance go--he is awesome. Hilariously funny and totally on target all the time. We had our state conference last weekend and I went to two of his sessions and loved them both. One was on Lies Homeschooling Moms Believe--y'know those ones about how everyone else's house is cleaner, everyone does a better job schooling their kids, everyone else's kids are learning more or are better behaved, etc. Very good and helped me take a step back and relax. Then yesterday we were supposed to have friends over to play on our new playset in the backyard and it was raining. Ugh! The kids were all so excited--mine and those coming--to get together and just play, that I said to just come on over and we could all be inside. I kept reminding the moms--okay, I am being real now. My house is messy. Actually, it looked worse than this, but this is about as good as it gets. And you know what? The kids had a great time, all played together really well and us moms had a fun visit. I am quite sure they didn't care that my kitchen counters are stacked with papers and books etc!

The other thing I just have to shout about is that I went to a used book sale today by the local teenager homeschool co-op. I found so many things that I really wanted and needed! I am so excited! I got the teacher manual for the K level of Moving with Math for less than half price. Yippeee! Some of you might remember that I have been really debating and praying about what program I should get for my harder to school child. I have just prayed that I would be led to the right thing for him and God would see to it that I knew what I should choose. So, I had narrowed it down to two programs and came across both of them at the sale! How cool is that? The one, I looked at first just really didn't ring any bells for me and I decided to go on past it. Then I came to the Moving with Math one. I couldn't believe I had found it as these book sales are just so hit and miss. So, it was an awesome price and I decided it was a sign from God that that was what I was supposed to do!! I have looked over the teacher's manual and while I do have to get the workbook still, I can already tell that it will work great for him. I am sooo pleased!

I also found a balance scale that I have intended to buy for like a year or more but just wasn't spending the $15 on for half price and last week we just ran out of green and yellow fingerpaint and I found a bag of four colors of finger paint for $1. Got some puzzles for my youngest, some new Kid K'nex which my boys love and a whole bunch of Think It Through Tiles books for $2. I am very pleased with all I got.

Today I am going out to purchase one of those shelf with the buckets things they carry at Target. My plan is to separate out all of the toys I consider learning toys==K'nex, legos, bristle blocks, geoboards, etc--from the reg toy shelf. Then my boys will be able to choose anything from the buckets to do during school time and I don't have to worry about saying yes or no about what they are playing with. They can play and I can feel it has value and hopefully we will all be happy. It will also be a lot easier to deal with than the big rubbermaid bucket I currently have their manipulatives and hands on things in. Hey, DH is planning to buy a new computer, so I just may get TWO shelves!

We have a rainy rainy weekend ahead of us here! Hope you all enjoy yours.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

Town hall thread on the CB--I asked about our request for a sub-forum and take a peak here to see what they said:


http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?p=12501452#post12501452


Basically--we must submit to the moderator of this board as they have the power to do things within the forums they moderate.

So if we all begin PMing our mod- for the family forum--we may see better results.

 

[house_of_princesses]

if anyone has put together or found a WDW related lesson plan, or perhaps educational highlights pamphlet/unit study? Anyone? I wonder if WDW has one of their own? It would make sense.

Perhaps if I have an educational excuse, we can go more often!!

 

[disneymom3]

Lisa--thanks for the info and getting an answer to what all of us have been wanting for so long! It is nice to have some sort of feedback on the issue. I am off to contact the mods now. A sub forum would be awesome and so much easier than 59 pages of posts to wade through!

 

[THESCHULTZFIVE]

I just emailed the Mods, begging for a sub-forum.

 

[Lisa loves Pooh]

I PM'd our mod (Beth E (NJ)).

I will later PM the team.


I requested a homeschool sub-forum--and if that was too specific--then a general education subforum. i feel that would be a compromise and appeal to all DISers on the family board especially since the topic of pulling kids out of school, making disney trips educational, and all around educational topics. Maybe the mods will feel the warm fuzzies on that suggestion.

The idea just came to me when typing the message since WM Alex and WM Kathy suggested that many things factor into having a new board.

 

[mommyseven]

Add me to the list. I've been homeschooling for twenty years. My youngest is six, so I have several more years to go.