Need help! Epcot country questions????

[cocacolamom]

Since we will be going to Disney while school is in session, I thought I'd give my DS(13) and DS(9) "homework" Disney style. I'm asking for your help. Any ideas or questions for any of the countries for them to check out and answer. Some of the things that I already have are....What are two traditions that you learned in Mexico, What does the totem pole stand for in Canada? Name two presidents in the American Adventure Show?

Just things like that or any tidbit that you may have learned! Thanks!

 

[WeRblam]

Since we will be going to Disney while school is in session, I thought I'd give my DS(13) and DS(9) "homework" Disney style. I'm asking for your help. Any ideas or questions for any of the countries for them to check out and answer. Some of the things that I already have are....What are two traditions that you learned in Mexico, What does the totem pole stand for in Canada? Name two presidents in the American Adventure Show?

Just things like that or any tidbit that you may have learned! Thanks!

Mexico brought to the world chocolate! Mexico city is also sinking 6 - 8 inches per year - why? (Answer - it was built on a lake)

What are the country flag colors and what do they represent?

What country sent their people to build the "country exhibit" in Epcot and then donated it to WDW? (morrocco)

What do the lions represent in China? Which one is the female?

How do you count to five in Japanese?

Have a blast! You should also have them see a CM in each country and write their names in the native tongue as well as hello and goodbye!

 

[Robin K]

If you go to themouseforless.com they have a section of questions for Epcot. I am not sure how difficult they are for the ages of your children.
have a great trip.

 

[cocacolamom]

Thanks for the tips. I am heading over to mouseforless.com

 

[KJ Luvs Pluto]

Could you have them do research before hand and find out how to say a phrase in each of the languages of the countries that are represented and then have them use that phrase when visiting that country? The CM's in those pavillions would probably love to hear a small child utter some words of the native language. Just a "hello" or "my name is". They could even write it down phonetically on flash cards and look at them right before entering the country.

 

[princessbee]

You could have your children (briefly!) interview a CM in each of the countries and then report back to you what they've learned. And some of the countries have places where you can learn some trivia--for example, when I went, there was a blackboard in the Canada gift shop with Q&As about Canadian history.

 

[cocacolamom]

Wow! What great ideas. I guess I never noticed the board in Canada. I like the idea for the boys to learn a phrase before they go. Mexico will be easy....thier both taking Spanish in school right now

 

[etail]

I like the phrases or someitmes learning to count from 1 to 10 ideas. We also pay attention to the traditional foods and music or intruments in each country (they toatlly plan the "soundscape" in each country). If you have a map, each cast member lists where they are from so having them point it out on a map can help the kids get even more perspective on the world.

 

[nolanboys]

I would suggest getting a book like Hidden Magic of Disney World. It gives so many interesting facts about the countries in Epcot and many details that are built into the countries. Read it before you head into each country and your kids will learn so much. I know I did!

 

[DisneyTravelers2008]

I heard an idea on the boards once that was cool---get a notebook and have a CM write "hello" or some short one line greeting to the kids in your childs class....after the trip, add a picture of the country and / or your kid w/ the CM...i thought this was a pretty cool idea---

 

[cocacolamom]

Oh, I love all these ideas. We leave in 3 weeks and I will have to input your suggestions before I print it out! This will be so great for the boys to take back to class. Thanks for the help!

 

[bear74]

love all the ideas.

 

[LockShockBarrel]

What about asking some of the CMs where in whatever country they're from and having your kids try to locate it on a map?

 

[bcvmargs]

These are a lot of good facts but why give kids homework on vacation?

 

[cocacolamom]

Typically we pull our kids out of school to go on vacation in the fall, and have done this since they were in kindergarten. They know that if we do this that we will have "homework" time. This book that I am making is something that they can take back to class with them!

 

[robinsegg]

Did you think of having them hone their observation skills? Give them a worksheet on the way to your room to see how much they noticed at each park!

 

[NEVERENOUGHWDW]

What are the large gardens shown in the France movie?
What are snails called in French?

What country is Off Kilter from?
What's the largest city in Canada?

What continent is Morocco on?
The name of the hats that men wear in Morocco?

Name of the fish in the Japan pond?
What shellfish/mollusks make pearls?

What are the boats called in front of the Italy pavilion?
What city in Italy uses gondolas as public transportation?
What is ice cream called in Italy?

Great way to teach while on vacation
Have a great time!

 

[bear74]

What are the large gardens shown in the France movie?
What are snails called in French?

What country is Off Kilter from?
What's the largest city in Canada?

What continent is Morocco on?
The name of the hats that men wear in Morocco?

Name of the fish in the Japan pond?
What shellfish/mollusks make pearls?

What are the boats called in front of the Italy pavilion?
What city in Italy uses gondolas as public transportation?
What is ice cream called in Italy?

Great way to teach while on vacation
Have a great time!

great ideas

 

[mwmom]

After learning about the countries, how about some higher level thinking questions that they can journal? Here are some samples....

If you lived in (country), what would be the biggest adjustment you would have to make? What would be your favorite thing there and why? Least favorite?

Design a totem pole and explain what you put on it and why.

If you could design your own maze for kids to go through, what would it look like and what native plants would you use to design it? This would take a little research.

After learning about different cultures, what questions do you have for the CM's about their country?