Homeschooling moms: How many days can I count as school in DW??

[kpatcamp]

I am going to DW in January 2009 and I am we are a homeschooling family. I have a K-5, 2, and 3rd grader. How many days do you think I can count as school days? Which parks/attractions will be educational enough to count as school??

Thanks

 

[Heluvsme]

I also homeschool, and personally I don't count any days at Disney as school.

Now, that doesn't mean that we don't take opportunities to learn about things while we're there....Epcot lends itself to many educational topics. Animal Kingdom is also fabulous for sparking curiosity!!

But, no, Disney World is our vacation and for me personally, I think it would be stretching it to count it as a school day. If we go during the school year, I simply make up the missed days later on in the year.

 

[anabelle]

If you Unschool, you could count the whole week. But if you are more traditional, I would decide what at WDW ties into your current curriculum. If you are doing American History, then you could talk about elections and such, then go to the Hall of Presidents. I had friends that were studying China, then they spent several hours touring the China exhibit at EPCOT. If you are in Zoology, then you could count an Animal Kingdom day as one day. If your kids take any YES courses while you are there, those would count for half a day.

My daughter is studying Botany and we did the Behind the Seeds tour and counted it as a half a day.

 

[deia]

Hahaha! I'm so glad someone else does this! I'm a homeschool grad and my mom would count Disney as several days of school - all my traditional-schooled friends were soooo jealous!

Basically, you need to check on the requirements in your state for what counts as a "day" of school. For example, back when we were worrying about this, my state required either 1) lessons in three separate subjects or 2) three full hours of one subject to count as a day.

So, my mom would have us bring schoolbooks in the car with us and do three subjects (sometimes more) while we drove to FL and back. That's two days.

Then, Epcot was geography, science, art, social studies, and history. And we actually did learn stuff! She would quiz us while in line or explain stuff to us about whatever ride we were just on or waiting to go on.

Animal Kingdom wasn't open back then, but you certainly could count that as over three hours of animal and conservation science.

Magic Kingdom was a bit more difficult. When we were younger, it would be a day of PE (like field days in traditional school) because there was so much walking and stuff, but when we got older, we just didn't count the Magic Kingdom as a school day.

Honestly, I don't remember what we did for MGM. There used to be a tour of the animation studios, which would probably have counted for art. Now there's a Walt Disney museum (history!) and a Prince Caspian exhibit (literature!). Throw in some flashcards while in line and it seems like a good school day to me.

The way my mom made this to where we actually learned was she would tie what we were seeing and doing in the parks to what we were learning in our lessons at home. What you can do, since you've got a little bit of time leading up to your trip, is you can do some "unit studies" that would culminate in the "field trip" to Disney World.

For example, you could have your students read the original Little Mermaid story, then watch the movie, and compare. Then go to the Little Mermaid show at MGM and discuss how it compared to the first two (while in line for your next ride, of course) What are the differences in the three mediums? Which one did they like best? Why?

Another example: Have your students read about a certain animal that they will see at Animal Kingdom. (Where does it live? What does it eat? How can you tell that it's a mammal? Is is endangered?) Then, they can go visit that animal during the trip and tell the rest of the family all about it.

Another example: The "big ball" in Epcot has a ride inside that chronicles the development of communication. You could have a few lessons on milestones in communication technology before you leave, and then challenge your students to find all the things you studied on the ride. In line for the next attraction, talk to them about how those milestones fit into the overall time line of the ride. (There's also a hidden mickey in the stars to look for, too). That might be over the head of your K-5 student so take him/her to the Imagination Pavillion for an art lesson. This is still one of my favorite rides! In the lobby they have some interactive stations where you can learn about mixing colors and making music.

Last example: Unfortunately, the Hall of Presidents will probably be closed while you're there - that's the most educational attraction at Magic Kingdom. So I would recommend studying unique characteristics of different cultures, and using the Small World ride as a social studies lesson on respecting all cultures. Read them the lyrics of the Small World song while in line and talk about what it means to be a "small world." You can easily carry this same lesson into the World Showcase at Epcot.

So that was probably way more info than you ever wanted. Let me finish up with a list of all the attractions I can think of that might be educational so you can get some ideas for exciting lessons for your students. (some of these may be closed, it's been a while since I was homeschooling at Disney World!) I'm including everything in case someone with older students happens to read through this as well - I know your kids may not be tall enough for some of these attractions.

Carousel of Progress (history, social studies)
Wedway People Mover (science - magnets)
Peter Pan (literature, drama if you can see the play beforehand)
Tom Sawyer's Island (literature, PE, probably do some simple machines here too)
Swiss Family Robinson Treehouse (literature - and get the Dole Whip across the street!)
Big Thunder Mountain (physics)
20,000 Leagues Under the Sea (literature - but I think this is now a Little Mermaid thing)
Mad Tea Party (physics - centrifugal force)

Listen to the Land (ecology, biology)
Living Seas (ecology, biology)
Mission: Space (never been on this, but it looks like it would be good for science. I hear there are moments in space exploration history painted on the walls where you wait in line)
Energy Pavilion (Science - energy and dinosaurs)
Innoventions (Science, technology, etc. You can't go in there and not learn something)
Jammitors (Music, rhythm. They can inspire a Stomp-style rhythm band with household items!)
ALL of World Showcase (geography, social studies)

Great American Movie Ride (Art - film)
Tower of Terror (physics - terminal velocity)
Beauty and the Beast (Music/art - this is a mini version of the Broadway show)
The Times Square Set (Art - forced perspective)

Dinosaur! (more dinosaur science!)
Kilimanjaro Safari (ecology, conservation, biology)
Conservation Station (ecology, conservation, biology)
Gorilla Trail (ecology, conservation, biology)
Lion King show (Music/art - this is also a mini version of the Broadway show. Pay special attention to the costumes!)

Petting zoo at Fort Wilderness (science - biology)
Horseback rides at Fort Wilderness (science, sports)

I hope this helps! One of the best things I learned from homeschooling is that every life experience can be a learning experience! Especially Disney World!

Deia

ps - you are doing a wonderful thing by homeschooling your kids. I am forever grateful to my mom for homeschooling me. (tearing up right now) I know it's probably scary and challenging right now, but let me tell you that it's worth it. Just thought you should know.

 

[anabelle]

Deia , you rock. Thanks for the list. I will use this as well.

 

[koolaidmoms]

Love the ideas Deia. Thank you!!

One math item for MK might be estimate how many people get on the ride to Buzz Lightyear in 2 minutes. Then count the people that actually get on and how could you have improved your estimate. There are many ways to fit math/problem solving into much of your day in any park such as crowd estimates and statistics.

 

[LadyShea]

I hope to homeschool (got two years to convince DH), but my state doesn't seem to have any requirements beyond me reporting school days, and apparently I get to make my own criteria for what counts. I love that as I can always find educational value in pretty much any activity.

What are your state requirements? What is your personal criteria?

 

[anabelle]

I am in Michigan. We don't actually have to conform to any requirements, but I still looked at my state's dept of education website to see what the minimums for a college prep path were. I use Homeschool Tracker software to track their progress. It is a nice tool if you need to submit progress reports to the state or transcripts. For curriculum, I use Amblesideonline to get my lessons plans. I choose my own math (Teaching textbooks) and science (Apologia) along with the rest of the curriculum. Ambleside follows Charlotte Mason principles, which is similar to Classic Education or Sonlight.

You need to see what your children are like and decide the best way to educate them. There are so many curriculum types, it could make your head spin. My kids were big readers, so a living books style really fit well for them. Some kids love videos, some love computer learning, some like what we call Eclectic style which is a little of everything.

Good luck.

 

[bumbershoot]

deia, that was great info! It's always good to hear from people who have been through it.

 

[Family Loves Disney]

subscribing. Wow, we are going to homeschool next year and this will be a great reference thread.

 

[DawnM]

Well, we school year round really, and I count everything.....including field trips! Everyday that my children are with me they learn something and we count it as school!!!!

We are not unschoolers either. We do workbooks, reading, writing, math, etc....

Last month we took a trip to Montreal. My sons only took their notebooks and a pencil. They drew pictures of our trip, wrote short paragraphs about our trip, and learned a LOT about Canada and even some French words while we were there. They will remember this far more than studying about it in some book!

As long as my kids are preforming at grade level, I really don't stress about exact number of days. When I was a teacher, there were SO many days that nothing got done. I taught high school and between pep rallys, assemblies, field trips, and sporting events, many days were a complete waste. In fact, out of the 163 days of school (yes, we only had 163 in year round school in CA), I would say only 140 at best were spent actually studying in class.

Dawn

 

[PoohHappens]

Do not want to change subject, but I guess I am too curious not to. What is unschooling?? We do not homeschool as I have a very headstrong child and the two of us even have a difficult time with homework. We have chosen a private school for now. But I very much respect those that are homeschooling and would love to know what unschooling is.

 

[LadyShea]

Here is a brief synopsis from Wikipedia

The term unschooling was almost certainly coined by John Holt in the 1970s,[1] who is also widely regarded as the "father" of unschooling.[1] While there is significant variation in what is meant by "unschooling", generally speaking, unschoolers believe that the use of standard curricula and conventional grading methods, as well as other features of traditional schooling, are counterproductive to the goal of maximizing the education of each child. Instead, unschoolers typically allow children to learn through their natural life experiences, including game play, household responsibilities, and social interaction.

<snip>

Although unschooling students may choose to make use of teachers or curricula, they are ultimately in control of their own education.[9] Students choose how, when, why, and what they pursue. Parents who unschool their children act as "facilitators," providing a wide range of resources, helping their children access, navigate, and make sense of the world, and aiding them in making and implementing goals and plans for both the distant and immediate future. Unschooling expands from children's natural curiosity as an extension of their interests, concerns, needs, goals, and plans.

Should get you started on the concept. I am really drawn to it, personally, and it is one of the things I am researching as well.

 

[TheRatPack]

We've been homeschooling for 2 years and I think we're going to have to try out unschooling with mine....grades and normal 'school' things just don't get it for them. I'd rather them love to learn and be knowledgeable....not after a letter grade or a GPA.

 

[kjetjl]

Home schooler here. We just discovered the animation classes offered every 1/2 hour at the end of the animation tour on our Sept. trip.
My kids are a little older (7th and 8th) but they LOVED this. They ended up attending 3 sessions our last day at DHS and learned how to draw Tink, Minnie and Donald. I just wish we had known about this earlier. Our 3rd and 4th graders wanted to watch Fantasmic so they didn't take the classes. But their older brother and sister gave them an "art class" when they got home and showed them how to draw Minnie and Donald.

 

[PoohHappens]

thanks for the info I did some other reading online too--I forget sometimes when I ask a question how easy that is. It looks like there is kind of a broad range in unschooling from a free for all to slightly more structured (a plan at least). I am unsure of how one would teach reading without some material or phonics or something. I don't think my child would just pick it up with exploration. I do see how other topics though could be taught experientially. Thanks, Have a great trip and keep on learning.

 

[anabelle]

I hope to homeschool (got two years to convince DH), but my state doesn't seem to have any requirements beyond me reporting school days, and apparently I get to make my own criteria for what counts. I love that as I can always find educational value in pretty much any activity.

What are your state requirements? What is your personal criteria?

Just as a side note, next year I am going to start tailoring my oldest boy's curriculum to be a more in line with what he wants to have as a career. My son wants to do film editing. My brother is an admissions manager at Art Institute of Portland, Oregon and we discussed the courses needed for him to be admitted. He will actually be taking some community college classes before he finishes high school. He will also be taking some co-op seminars on filming before as well. I know families that knew that their children were not on a college prep path, so their classes were tailored around the construction industry. They studied drafting and accounting.

I recommend the Homeschool Legal Defense Website for links to each states requirements.

 

[gillenkl]

We homeschool from July thru- May. I'm required to do 180 days. Our vacation to Disney is usually in June so it doesn't affect our school year. For me the term "vacation" means just that and I wouldn't count it toward my school time even though some learning might be involved. But that's one nice thing about homeschooling, every family can decide that's right for them.

 

[deia]

thanks for the info I did some other reading online too--I forget sometimes when I ask a question how easy that is. It looks like there is kind of a broad range in unschooling from a free for all to slightly more structured (a plan at least). I am unsure of how one would teach reading without some material or phonics or something. I don't think my child would just pick it up with exploration. I do see how other topics though could be taught experientially. Thanks, Have a great trip and keep on learning.

Honestly, you would be surprised what kids pick up on with exploration when there's no one there making learning "boring" or "hard."

Little kids are absolutely ingenious when it comes to getting into trouble. (there are some things my mom still doesn't know about!) They can figure out how to do almost anything if they set their minds to it - the problem is that workbooks and math problems don't give the fun reward that mischief does.

So unschooling parents simply create situations where their students must learn something in order to get what they want. I knew a family that raised chinchillas. The younger kids wanted pets, the older ones wanted to make money, so they learned how to raise, breed, and sell chinchillas at a profit. My parents did this with me for the "non-essential" subjects. I wanted to make a computer game, so I learned QBasic. I wanted to build a website, so I learned HTML.

This method not only teaches kids skills, but it also instills in them the values of independence, self-discipline, and self-motivation. I can't tell you how many of my students (undergraduates!) tell me, "I can't learn unless I have someone kicking me in the pants to do the work." Even one of my coworkers was today telling me how he could never telecommute because he'd never get anything done without a boss there making sure he was actually working.

It's crazy - these are adults without the life skills necessary to motivate themselves to get what they want. Homeschooling and unschooling can't teach a kid everything they need to know - but they do an excellent job of showing students how to learn everything they need to know.

Word of caution, though - unschooling in high school can be really difficult during the college admissions process or if your student wants to transfer back to traditional school.

 

[Loverly]

I had friends that were studying China, then they spent several hours touring the China exhibit at EPCOT. .

REALLY? I've spent several hours at the Metropolitan Museum of Art In NYC, but can not imagine looking at the China Epcot exhibit for more than 15 minutes.