School Project Help

[Pooh-Cop]

My DW and myself are feeling a bit guilty (but not TOO guilty ) about pulling our kids (ages 6 & 9) out of school for a week in November to hit WDW. (With the weather and the low attendence it is hard to pass up.)The teachers are generally behind it and, like last year, will double up on their homework assignments the week prior so that they don't miss anything and get behind in their school work. Also, if we can show the trip is also educational the school will allow for a couple of excused absences for that week.
Of course Epcot and Animal Kingdom are the naturals when it comes to any type of learning activity. Does anyone have any suggestions or can recommend any curiculum or lesson plans that are not too involved (this is a vacation after all) that would fit the bill?


Thanks,
Pooh-Cop

 

[Melissa R]

We just returned from a weeklong trip where my son missed 5 days of school. To try to make up for the lost time in school, we did (and are still working on putting together) a detailed journal with our six year old. He has dictated to me the events of every day, and I am writing it for him (it would take him all year to write it - he has a lot to say). I am having him write one sentence by himself for each day. I also had him choose what pictures to put into the journal to show what we did. Not only is this going to be a great memory book, but I figure he's working on recalling details, writing, sentence structure, etc.

We also bought a passport at Epcot and had it signed by CMs at each country, and also made a pressed penny at each country.

 

[Mimi Q]

A while back someone posted a great learning plan that they submitted to their school. I have been looking for it but the search function is disabled. We are going to WDW in November and wanted to use it for my DD's school. Hopefully someone will share it with us again.

 

[Jordan's MOM]

Try letting your child do research on one country that is in the world showcase. Spend time there on your trip and take lots of pictures. Put it all together for a report when you get back home.

Try doing the same for one particular animal at AK, or do something with Africa and spend time there and on the safari ride.

Have your children ask CMs from the parks where they are from. Most love to talk with families. Plot on a map where all the different people you meet are from.

Let you child pick a book from one of the WSC gift shop and do a short report on it.



Try to not overdo it. Making up homework can be quite enough though we find it quite worth it!!!!!!

Have a blast!

Jordan's mom

 

[mommyflower]

I like the journal idea. How about adding to it something new they may have learned that day? Or maybe a simple report on the history of Walt or Disney World? I know there are always little tid bits of info about Walt and WDW on rides throughout the park. Maybe a fact sheet with a kind of did you know theme (more for the older one). Like did you know that MK is actually the second floor, the first floor is where all the cast member activity happens. They built that at gound level and then built MK over it. I read that some where, but I'm not sure where. But you could do it with more kid interesting facts. I'm sure you could look in the guide books, internet, and ask cast members for little facts. Good luck with whatever you do! My son is only 2 1/2 so we don't have this issue just yet!

 

[micks]

How about a picture/paragraph journal? Give them each a disposable camera and when the pictures are developed have them post them on a paper and write a descriptive paragraph about each one. Maybe do a little a little extra research and add that to the paragraph. Have the 6 yr. old write down what time special events were and have him/her draw the hands of a clock to show the time.

They could also do some math type activities. Give them each $20 or so and have them keep track of what they buy, how much change they got - maybe in a blank checkbook register.

I'll keep thinking and check back later...

 

[tjmw2727]

We picked one attraction, event etc from each park and had my girls do something more indepth on that.

My 8yo did a written report on her impressions and one thing she learned while at, Hall of Presidents, MK, Japan pavilion, Epcot, Animation tour at MGM and the vet area of AK.

My 6yo did the same but on her level with more pictures, kind of scrap book style instead of a written report. She chose Mexico, Epcot, the Gorilla's, AK, Movie making (backstage tour) at MGM and also HOP at MK.

It was alot of fun taking time out to "research" and we met and talked with CM's we may not otherwise have met.

TJ

 

[tinaluis]

There is a great thread at the top of this board entitled "Printable activities" which has links to WDW themed journal pages. I've printed them out and will take them to my meeting with DDs teacher to show her that our almost 3 week trip will be educational.

 

[EthansMom]

How about doing a little research ahead of time about the physics involved in some of the rides, like the rollercoasters? You might be able to find some simplified info. on the internet that would interest the 9 year-old.

Also, agree with a "What I learned from Hall of Presidents (MK) and American Experience (Epcot)" idea.

Don't forget Innoventions and The Land at Epcot.

Maybe you could spring for the Behind the Scenes Tour at MK and the kids could learn about how things really work at DisneyWorld -- great for them to learn that there's a lot of hard work going on.

Well, those are a few of my ideas. Might be a bit of a higher level than your kids.

EthansMom

 

[Beth E. (NJ)]

Hi Pooh-Cop! Welcome to the DIS -- it's nice to see you here!

Don't let the teacher give you the guilts. In this busy world we live in quality family time is very important. I'm taking my two daughters -- kindergarten and 3rd grade out of school. I know that the older one will miss stuff since the school won't give in advance and boy does 3rd grade move fast, but we will play catch up when we get home. They won't be young forever!

 

[tink85]

As a kid who survived being pulled out of school every other year for my entire school career, I have a few things my teachers have had me and my sister do over the years...
- Keep a journal and write at least one very cool thing and one very educational thing that we saw, did, learned ect. and have a character sign it as 'proof' it was true
- Take a picture with one person in each country at Epcot and learn a little about where they're from (it's really cool to do this with the Passport that you can do around the World Showcase 'cuse then you have written messages from each country which is a really neat souvenir and something cool to show off back home)
- My french teacher one year had me do a whole picture study on the French Pavilion as welll as have a french pastry and take a picture of me eating it (which wasn't a bad assignment at all if i recall )
- My history teachers always wanted me to do the American Adventure and the Hall of Presidents and then write a little something about it
- Science teachers loved my 'What I learned better at Epcot than in School' list I had to keep one year

*You can make anything educational at Disney, trust me I've done it! Hope your trip's a blast!