Must fill sandwich size zip lock with 100 items!

[Lintasare]

I don't get making a big deal about the 100th day of school. It's just another day of school. When I was in school the only days we made a big deal of was the first and last days of the school year. That was it.

 

[Mkrop]

The OP said her daughter is five and that the child's imagination was limited to what she could see in the pantry. That tells me that the OP wants it to be Disney themed and that the OP wants it to be different from the others.

I was responding to another poster who said that a kid themselves would not come up with a Disney theme, that it is the obessed parents. My post was to prove that no, through the years(K-8) my kids on their own have chosen Disney themes as well.

And I did help my kids pick themes based on what I had in the house or what I knew we could easily get for any of their projects. I am not running out and buying a 100 Legos if I dont have them in the house just bc that is what the kid suggested. I mentioned I pushed an animal theme for one of our 100 day projects bc I had about 80% of the stickers in the house already. DS10 (in K at the time) turned it into AK Safari vs a zoo.

I also had a very disappointed child when DS15 was in K bc his project was not like the others, he wanted it to be different and special like the other kids were...with a special 100 Day theme like rainbows or Noah's ark etc. His was just 10 random things of 10 and he was bummed. But I let him pick and he thought his project stunk. Both were acceptable and he got the A but I had no idea that the projects were more elaborate. Maybe the OP knows that the kids like bringing the most unique item vs everyday household stuff, you never know. And I think it is a fun way for her to incorporate learning into her upcoming WDW trip. I think any of my kids would have had more fun counting 100 Mickey heads than a 100 qtips.

 

[FayeW]

I was responding to another poster who said that a kid themselves would not come up with a Disney theme, that it is the obessed parents.

Actually, that's not what I said. I never said that OP was obsessed, or that the kid couldn't come up with a Disney theme.

 

[Mkrop]

Actually, that's not what I said. I never said that OP was obsessed, or that the kid couldn't come up with a Disney theme.

Originally Posted by FayeW
You know what I don't understand? Why it seems like everything has to have a Disney theme! Pet names, school projects, gifts, desserts, jewelery...

I understand this is a message board devoted to Disney fans but not every.single.thing. needs or should be Disney themed.

Mom, it's great that you are helping your 5 year old with her project, but really, the Disney theme is for you, not her.

Isnt this what you said....so I said that kids can come with their own Disney themes, that isnt always us parents doing it. I didnt say you said that THIS parent was obsessed, just that some people are bc of your issues with everything asked about needs a Disney theme on a Disney msg board.

 

[bound4wdw]

Thank you to everyone for all the great ideas, I will post back which one my DD decides on. She has a new camera, and loves taking pictures. So when I mentioned all the ideas that had been posted, the one seemed to excite her the most was the hidden Mickeys, although could be challenging to get it done during our vacation at WDW this weekend. And any food will be out of the question, we do not need a pot luck of harvested germs coming home, the flu is bad enough around here.

Sorry that so many people who somehow believe that interacting with their children on a family project sent home from school is an evil thing. I never thought I'd see a group of people so judgmental on a Disney Blog....

 

[Mkrop]

Thank you to everyone for all the great ideas, I will post back which one my DD decides on. She has a new camera, and loves taking pictures. So when I mentioned all the ideas that had been posted, the one seemed to excite her the most was the hidden Mickeys, although could be challenging to get it done during our vacation at WDW this weekend. And any food will be out of the question, we do not need a pot luck of harvested germs coming home, the flu is bad enough around here.

Sorry that so many people who somehow believe that interacting with their children on a family project sent home from school is an evil thing. I never thought I'd see a group of people so judgmental on a Disney Blog....

There is a hidden Mickey book that you can buy, I have seen them in bookstores or at the resorts, if you can get it before you venture out, we had fun with ours. Or maybe ask on the Theme Park Board where some are, since a 100 is a lot to get.

The dried pasta is food but no one is going to eat it... at least I would hope not

Have fun with it!

 

[mdsoccermom]

Thank you to everyone for all the great ideas, I will post back which one my DD decides on. She has a new camera, and loves taking pictures. So when I mentioned all the ideas that had been posted, the one seemed to excite her the most was the hidden Mickeys, although could be challenging to get it done during our vacation at WDW this weekend. And any food will be out of the question, we do not need a pot luck of harvested germs coming home, the flu is bad enough around here.

Sorry that so many people who somehow believe that interacting with their children on a family project sent home from school is an evil thing. I never thought I'd see a group of people so judgmental on a Disney Blog....

This was a family project, or your daughter's project?

 

[Disney Doll]

I'd be kind of ticked off if my kid came home with a "family project".

OP, if you are going to WDW and this project is due after the the trip, I'd suggest the stickers they are always giving out, the confetti that seems to be everywhere, buy a bag of the Mickey pasta, maybe a couple of pressed pennies, a coupel fo the cheaper pin-trading pins, take some pictures of various hidden Mickeys, Mickey head shaped beads.

 

[badblackpug]

This was a family project, or your daughter's project?

I have found that there is no longer any such thing as a kids' project. All you have to do is go into the classroom and look at the projects and know that parents had a very heavy hand in them. When a 2nd grader builds a nuclear reactor for their science project you know it was a parents project.

I know all sorts of posters will chime in that their kid is gifted or has artistic talent, and, sure, there are 1 or 2 kids in a class that will fit that description, but the majority of the kids should be turning in age appropriate projects. ...and someone will always try to throw in the barb that you don't want to interact with your kid, or talk to them. We talk about it, but I'm not doing it, or telling them what to do. I think the need to have really creative or different things at such a young age more feeds the parent's pride. The kid really just thinks it's a fun thing to do, even if they are just counting out 100 paper clips.

Long ago, I was advised by a counselor not to do kids homework, or walk them through it. It doesn't teach anything, or any work ethic, or any pride in achievement. My kids do their own work, in their own room, and I check it. I don't do it, and I don't sit and walk them through it. If they truly don't understand something, I help.

Yes, I have had the disappointed child who lamented about other projects being better, but I always put it in this light: Did you do your best? Did you get a good grade? Were you happy with your project before you saw the others? As the kids get older they come to understand that some of the kids have parents doing their work. At that point they are able to verbalize, "I didn't build a scale model nuclear reactor, but I did it all by myself." and they are proud of it.

Thank goodness the teachers are smart enough to figure out whose parents are "heavy handed" in their projects.

As for the 100th day thing. In our schools it has always been a lesson, presented in a fun way, to help kids count to 100, or group in 5s or 10s. Since we are "fighting childhood obesity" my kids weren't allowed to bring in edibles, unless it was of the macaroni glued to something variety.

 

[BernardandMissBianca]

I don't get making a big deal about the 100th day of school. It's just another day of school. When I was in school the only days we made a big deal of was the first and last days of the school year. That was it.

Kindergarten makes a big deal about it because one of the goals for math in kindergarten is counting to 100.

Thank you to everyone for all the great ideas, I will post back which one my DD decides on. She has a new camera, and loves taking pictures. So when I mentioned all the ideas that had been posted, the one seemed to excite her the most was the hidden Mickeys, although could be challenging to get it done during our vacation at WDW this weekend. And any food will be out of the question, we do not need a pot luck of harvested germs coming home, the flu is bad enough around here.

Sorry that so many people who somehow believe that interacting with their children on a family project sent home from school is an evil thing. I never thought I'd see a group of people so judgmental on a Disney Blog....

Ask cast members too. We were looking for Hidden Mickey's in the Osborne Lights and the guys that set the lights up were working on a section. They showed us the mickeys each of them was responsible for hiding.
But I would also buy the book, it will really help.

 

[Mkrop]

I have found that there is no longer any such thing as a kids' project. All you have to do is go into the classroom and look at the projects and know that parents had a very heavy hand in them. When a 2nd grader builds a nuclear reactor for their science project you know it was a parents project.

I know all sorts of posters will chime in that their kid is gifted or has artistic talent, and, sure, there are 1 or 2 kids in a class that will fit that description, but the majority of the kids should be turning in age appropriate projects.

Long ago, I was advised by a counselor not to do kids homework, or walk them through it. It doesn't teach anything, or any work ethic, or any pride in achievement. My kids do their own work, in their own room, and I check it. I don't do it, and I don't sit and walk them through it. If they truly don't understand something, I help.

Yes, I have had the disappointed child who lamented about other projects being better, but I always put it in this light: Did you do your best? Did you get a good grade? Were you happy with your project before you saw the others? As the kids get older they come to understand that some of the kids have parents doing their work. At that point they are able to verbalize, "I didn't build a scale model nuclear reactor, but I did it all by myself." and they are proud of it.

Thank goodness the teachers are smart enough to figure out whose parents are "heavy handed" in their projects.

As for the 100th day thing. In our schools it has always been a lesson, presented in a fun way, to help kids count to 100, or group in 5s or 10s. Since we are "fighting childhood obesity" my kids weren't allowed to bring in edibles, unless it was of the macaroni glued to something variety.

I respect your decision but I disagree and so far it has been successful with DS15 and DS10.

My kids are the least artistic kids in the planet. Give DS15 a report to write and he will do a fantastic job, perfect grammar and all. But ask him to do a poster board, a diaorma etc, and you get the deer in the headlights look.

Kids are taught many things in school, most times they are NOT (at least in my experience) taught how to do a proper presentation. They are even taught how to write research papers but they are NOT taught about how to make a poster board that is presentable and eye catching and conveys the message of the subject matter. I work with my kids on these projects, I dont do them for them but we work together until they reach an age to do them alone. I have taught them how to line things up, center a title on a poster, put pictures in the proper order or class depending on the project. I have taught them ways to get around them not being able to draw more than a stick figure by tracing or using peel off letters or stencils vs using their own handwriting.

Eventually DS15 got to the point that he could do them more independently, or knew the workarounds to make his project look decent and not be ashamed of it(his words). Despite his lack of artisitc ability to this day, he learned to hand in great posters, dioramas, cells in shoe boxes etc.

He loved when they allowed the kids to do power point presentations instead bc he could control that much better, but the foundation was still laid down so that it needed to be colorful and centered etc.

I also am a stickler for the projects looking presentable. He may have done it but if I dont think it looks neat and well done, he would do it again. They dont need to be perfect, far from it, but if I cant read one of your headings bc you didnt print it nice enough, you are doing it again.

My parents never helped me with my projects as a kid, would barely run out and get me the materials I needed. It was embarrassing when the other kid's projects looked good and mine looked crappy.

I do the same for DS10.

If I can help them study for a test by showing flash cards or quizzing and that is ok, than so is helping them learn how to do a project properly.

And yes my kids projects still look like a kid did them bc they did!

This has worked in our family YMMV.

 

[Pikester]

I respect your decision but I disagree and so far it has been successful with DS15 and DS10.

My kids are the least artistic kids in the planet. Give DS15 a report to write and he will do a fantastic job, perfect grammar and all. But ask him to do a poster board, a diaorma etc, and you get the deer in the headlights look.

Kids are taught many things in school, most times they are NOT (at least in my experience) taught how to do a proper presentation. They are even taught how to write research papers but they are NOT taught about how to make a poster board that is presentable and eye catching and conveys the message of the subject matter. I work with my kids on these projects, I dont do them for them but we work together until they reach an age to do them alone. I have taught them how to line things up, center a title on a poster, put pictures in the proper order or class depending on the project. I have taught them ways to get around them not being able to draw more than a stick figure by tracing or using peel off letters or stencils vs using their own handwriting.

Eventually DS15 got to the point that he could do them more independently, or knew the workarounds to make his project look decent and not be ashamed of it(his words). Despite his lack of artisitc ability to this day, he learned to hand in great posters, dioramas, cells in shoe boxes etc.

He loved when they allowed the kids to do power point presentations instead bc he could control that much better, but the foundation was still laid down so that it needed to be colorful and centered etc.

I also am a stickler for the projects looking presentable. He may have done it but if I dont think it looks neat and well done, he would do it again. They dont need to be perfect, far from it, but if I cant read one of your headings bc you didnt print it nice enough, you are doing it again.

My parents never helped me with my projects as a kid, would barely run out and get me the materials I needed. It was embarrassing when the other kid's projects looked good and mine looked crappy.

I do the same for DS10.

If I can help them study for a test by showing flash cards or quizzing and that is ok, than so is helping them learn how to do a project properly.

And yes my kids projects still look like a kid did them bc they did!

This has worked in our family YMMV.

I agree with so much that you said. My DS15 loves being able to do the power point presentations as he is not very artistic.

As someone who works in the school system I was able to recently watch 4th graders work on a regions project. They had to research using a text and take notes about their region and then create a poster board for their presentation. The teacher tried to show them how to create their board but most kids just slapped the title on it and other info without even trying to make it straight. I guess they'll keep learning.

I also had to teach my DS15 about adding too much info to a project. He would sometimes get off track and add things that didn't really have any baring on the subject.

 

[bound4wdw]

I also had to teach my DS15 about adding too much info to a project. He would sometimes get off track and add things that didn't really have any baring on the subject.

I know what you mean, that never goes away. Someone asks me about Port Orleans, and somehow I have got to tell them about how it was called Dixie Landings when we came on our honeymoon!

 

[badblackpug]

I respect your decision but I disagree and so far it has been successful with DS15 and DS10.

My kids are the least artistic kids in the planet. Give DS15 a report to write and he will do a fantastic job, perfect grammar and all. But ask him to do a poster board, a diaorma etc, and you get the deer in the headlights look.

Kids are taught many things in school, most times they are NOT (at least in my experience) taught how to do a proper presentation. They are even taught how to write research papers but they are NOT taught about how to make a poster board that is presentable and eye catching and conveys the message of the subject matter. I work with my kids on these projects, I dont do them for them but we work together until they reach an age to do them alone. I have taught them how to line things up, center a title on a poster, put pictures in the proper order or class depending on the project. I have taught them ways to get around them not being able to draw more than a stick figure by tracing or using peel off letters or stencils vs using their own handwriting.

Eventually DS15 got to the point that he could do them more independently, or knew the workarounds to make his project look decent and not be ashamed of it(his words). Despite his lack of artisitc ability to this day, he learned to hand in great posters, dioramas, cells in shoe boxes etc.

He loved when they allowed the kids to do power point presentations instead bc he could control that much better, but the foundation was still laid down so that it needed to be colorful and centered etc.

I also am a stickler for the projects looking presentable. He may have done it but if I dont think it looks neat and well done, he would do it again. They dont need to be perfect, far from it, but if I cant read one of your headings bc you didnt print it nice enough, you are doing it again.

My parents never helped me with my projects as a kid, would barely run out and get me the materials I needed. It was embarrassing when the other kid's projects looked good and mine looked crappy.

I do the same for DS10.

If I can help them study for a test by showing flash cards or quizzing and that is ok, than so is helping them learn how to do a project properly.

And yes my kids projects still look like a kid did them bc they did!

This has worked in our family YMMV.

There is a big difference helping study for a test and giving suggestions to help a child improve the appearance of something, than actually doing the work on the project, or hanging over them the entire time they are doing their homework and directing them what to do.

In the OP's case, she is actually telling the child what she should be doing with the project, instead of letting her decide herself. The OP thinks a Disney theme is cute, it never crossed the child's mind, and not even being non specific, like saying, "maybe we can find something fun in WDW,' and letting the child decide.

It's a different thing when you have a kid come home with a project on a topic and you say things like, "what can you do to make this stand out?" or make it look neater, or less crowded, or whatever.

My kids aren't artistically inclined either and when they complain about having to have pictures or wording I ask them things like, "do you have to draw them yourself? How else can you get them?" It's about problem solving, not saying..."Let's do this!"

 

[dogluva]

I have found that there is no longer any such thing as a kids' project. All you have to do is go into the classroom and look at the projects and know that parents had a very heavy hand in them. When a 2nd grader builds a nuclear reactor for their science project you know it was a parents project.

I know all sorts of posters will chime in that their kid is gifted or has artistic talent, and, sure, there are 1 or 2 kids in a class that will fit that description, but the majority of the kids should be turning in age appropriate projects. ...and someone will always try to throw in the barb that you don't want to interact with your kid, or talk to them. We talk about it, but I'm not doing it, or telling them what to do. I think the need to have really creative or different things at such a young age more feeds the parent's pride. The kid really just thinks it's a fun thing to do, even if they are just counting out 100 paper clips.

Long ago, I was advised by a counselor not to do kids homework, or walk them through it. It doesn't teach anything, or any work ethic, or any pride in achievement. My kids do their own work, in their own room, and I check it. I don't do it, and I don't sit and walk them through it. If they truly don't understand something, I help.

Yes, I have had the disappointed child who lamented about other projects being better, but I always put it in this light: Did you do your best? Did you get a good grade? Were you happy with your project before you saw the others? As the kids get older they come to understand that some of the kids have parents doing their work. At that point they are able to verbalize, "I didn't build a scale model nuclear reactor, but I did it all by myself." and they are proud of it.

Thank goodness the teachers are smart enough to figure out whose parents are "heavy handed" in their projects.

As for the 100th day thing. In our schools it has always been a lesson, presented in a fun way, to help kids count to 100, or group in 5s or 10s. Since we are "fighting childhood obesity" my kids weren't allowed to bring in edibles, unless it was of the macaroni glued to something variety.

We stopped homework projects for awhile. The kids who can't write a coherent sentence brought in reports with words in them they couldn't even read. The poster boards looked like professional artists did them. Why don't we see these skills at school? It's insulting to the teachers. We want the child's work-the parents are not in third grade anymore. Stop doing your kid's homework. They don't learn anything from you doing it for them. And don't disguise it as "helping their creativity".

 

[DisneyJen0504]

I don't get making a big deal about the 100th day of school. It's just another day of school. When I was in school the only days we made a big deal of was the first and last days of the school year. That was it.

In kindergarten one skill they need to master is counting by rote to 100. It's something we work on daily and culminate with a fun 100th day.

But to comment on your post, yes it's another day of school. But what's so terrible about makings big deal out of it? The children enjoy it and isn't that really what it's all about? Enjoying learning? I teach kindergarten so I see how important special days are to little ones and I enjoy helping them create memories.

 

[descovy]

Our teachers are getting smart. The big projects are done at school, not at home. They may be allowed a little computer research at home, but that's it. School says send a poster board, or a shoe box... and kids do the projects at school

(elementary school, btw...)

I've always held to "I passed 2nd grade already... now it's your turn" I don't do anything for my kids that they can do themselves

 

[bound4wdw]

So wile watching the "move it shake it" parade at the Magic Kingdom, when it was over these 2inch Mickey heads shot out of a tube all around the circle in front of the castle and my DD decided to take those as her 100 items. I think we got way more than needed. Thanks again.

 

[torinsmom]

I teach K and when we have done a 100th day project, it was a family project. The reason is because most 5 year olds do need direction and help in counting to 100.

OP, I like the idea of Mickey beads. I bought several of those bracelets a couple of years ago and each child got one bead to make a necklace. After the projects are returned, maybe your child could give her friends beads.

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

Our teachers are getting smart. The big projects are done at school, not at home. They may be allowed a little computer research at home, but that's it. School says send a poster board, or a shoe box... and kids do the projects at school

(elementary school, btw...)

I've always held to "I passed 2nd grade already... now it's your turn" I don't do anything for my kids that they can do themselves

Smart parenting and smart teachers! BRAVO!