PreTrip Learning...

[sconnell]

I'm looking for lots of fun things to help us learn about the countries in WS and the animals at AK and any other thing... BEFORE we go! What do you do?
I want to maximize our learning experience by starting now! When we are there we'll get a Passport for WS and the animal book thing at AK, but what can we do before?

ETA: She's in kindergarten, so we're talking basics! lol.

 

[Minniemouse07]

We picked up Guide to the Magic for Kids for dd (6yo & in 1st grade).

Before we left dd and I sat down and read about each of the countries (in the book...it is short), found them on the globe and then colored in the flag. I drew any of the lines, etc for the flag and then dd colored them in.

In addition:
- we made countdown chains where we counted up to 150 and sequenced patterns
- we did measuring and comparisons w/ dd's growth chart and a list of height requirements, figuring out the rides both she and her 2yo brother could and could not ride
- we did A LOT of map reading before we even left. Dd was able to identify all the symbols, find her way around the parks and tell you exactly where the parades went!
- dd wrote in her journal every day...what the weather was like, what rides/attractions we experienced, where and what we ate, etc. (you could definitely talk about these and record it all for younger kids)
- dd used her camera to record our trip and made a Powerpoint presentation to her class when we returned (I helped put together the presentation)

Does that help?

 

[sconnell]

We picked up Guide to the Magic for Kids for dd (6yo & in 1st grade).

Before we left dd and I sat down and read about each of the countries (in the book...it is short), found them on the globe and then colored in the flag. I drew any of the lines, etc for the flag and then dd colored them in.

In addition:
- we made countdown chains where we counted up to 150 and sequenced patterns
- we did measuring and comparisons w/ dd's growth chart and a list of height requirements, figuring out the rides both she and her 2yo brother could and could not ride
- we did A LOT of map reading before we even left. Dd was able to identify all the symbols, find her way around the parks and tell you exactly where the parades went!
- dd wrote in her journal every day...what the weather was like, what rides/attractions we experienced, where and what we ate, etc. (you could definitely talk about these and record it all for younger kids)
- dd used her camera to record our trip and made a Powerpoint presentation to her class when we returned (I helped put together the presentation)

Does that help?

Sweet! This is exactly what I was looking for! Where did you get the book?

Anyone else?

 

[Minniemouse07]

Sweet! This is exactly what I was looking for! Where did you get the book?

Anyone else?

You can just google the name of the book and the website will pop up. I ordered it from the site but Amazon has it too.

The book is not short.. the discriptions of the countries are!

The book is VERY comprehensive, probably the only thing it is missing is Toy Story Mania! (understandably)! There are places for the CM signature and country stamp for all the World Showcase stuff at Epcot as well as journal pages for up to 14 days.

One of dd's favorite activities was keeping track of the monorail colors we saw during our stay. There is a page in the book to check off the ones you see as well as the ones you ride on!

 

[sconnell]

Wow, it's amazing how many new things I learn every day on the DIS.

 

[Sorsha]

http://www.themouseforless.com/downloads/kids/educational.shtml
Epcot stuff - a bit geared towards older kids, but maybe you could do it together... also letter and number writing practice sheets at the bottom of the page

http://www.themouseforless.com/downloads/kids/journal.shtml
Kids' journal pages... cool "Land" themed pages start on page 3

http://www.learningpage.com/pages/menu_wkshts/fact_zoo.html
You have to sign up for this one (free) but from here you can print "fact sheets" (geared towards young kids) on lots of animals, insects, fish, ets, then print out huge mural sets to make a mural on your wall, and add cut-outs of all the animals. An AWESOME site...

 

[sconnell]

I love you guys!