The Mad Chatters thread Part 2

[TheDisneyTraveler06]

It was that same night..........started off with just the "cool clique" part and then TF tweaked it with the rest. It came from this thread when Bonnie said now you and I were part of the cool clique.........so Bonnie has a tag from something I said, and I have one from something she said..........isn't that too cool? I think you had already gone to bed.................

How neat! Hers is something about Angelina... right?

 

[TheDisneyTraveler06]

Well, time for me to start dinner.

Nice chatting with you girls!

Have a great week!

 

[jaycns]

Jay, will you school at WDW? I mean, besides Epcot and Animal Kingdom attractions and the cultural/science opportunities on the cruise that will be very educational without you having to add to or follow up on, are you planning any projects/lessons/add tos/follow up ons while there?

Disney themed learning has become my newest hobby...

We spent the summer reading the original fairy tales that the Disney movies are based on, watching the Disney movies and then talking about the rides that they spawned. Jason read the original Peter Pan, Snow White, Alice in Wonderland, Pinnochio and The Jungle Book. **Yep, he really does love to read...lucky me (and him)** I read The Jungle Book, Peter Pan and Alice in Wonderland to the little boys. We also found different versions of the stories in different cultures and read those. All three of the boys wrote their own fairy tales (none of them were very good at being very original...but I guess in time that will come). That should all fit in very well with FantasyLand and of course The Jungle Cruise and Baloo.

Jason also read Tom Sawyer. We are going to listen to Huckleberry Finn on tape on our way down to Disney (sad, but yes, we do have that long of a ride)...Watch out Tom Sawyer island.



For Frontierland

1.We memorized the presidents (up to number 20 so far). The boys also spent an afternoon doing a little bit of web surfing on kid's sites that dealt with the presidents. They all love www.whitehousekids.gov Jason had previously read a lot of the Childhood of Famous Young Americans books that were about presidents.


2. Colonial Times.

More internet searching for the boys.
http://library.thinkquest.org/J002611F/index.htm (a neat site by kids for kids)
http://www.nps.gov/fofr/col_kids.htm (what was life like for kids back then)
Those were two they spent a lot of time at.

Then we spent a two days doing different activities from, Colonial Kids, An Activity Guide to Life in the New World by Laurie Carlson. We made orange peel candy. Seeing the time it took to make a sweet treat and learning how rare sugar was then had a big impact on all three of my boys. We made our own little covered wagons (not a lot to be proud of with those...more like little lopsided lumps...but we tried).Lots of fun and learning activities in this one!!

Last thing we fit in this summer was to study pirates. We did a lesson plan I found online at the Pirate Soul museum website and then we read a few extra pirate books and the boys "coauthored" (mostly Jason) a version of Treasure Island.

Without "real school" our summer school was packed full of Disney learning. We are going to study Africa when we get back and while we are at AK Jason is going to find one animal to study in depth when we get home and do a paper on. I am sure I will think of tons of other things for our next trip!

 

[paigevz]

Yes, we were talking about smilies, and I said I liked this one......... Bonnie had already said she liked the one that's now in her siggy..........anyway, Bonnie laughed at me and said that one is a tart, and that she looks like Angelina Jolie and something about my lips looking like that, but just joking, and then I said my lips really do look big like that. Then I called her Cousin at some point, so the TF said that Bonnie is Angelina Jolie's cousin.....................

 

[jaycns]

NO WAY! Are you serious?! I'm quite jealous...

Well, part of the time we won't be at WDW, we will be on the Disney Magic. It is my all time dream vacation!! I cannot wait! Dh is humoring me but I am sure even he will have a great time! The boys are beside themselves at this point in time with "how many more days-itis". This is the longest vacation ever for our family. WOO HOO. Now I just have to play my cards right for next year...

 

[jaycns]

I am in a swirl of emotions about Jay's trip...........I am sooo excited for her , so sad for me , and so jealous too!!!!!!! But did I mention excited and happy for her?

Awww...thanks Paige! I am excited beyond excited...gonna miss you guys, sad that my nephew and his dgf will be spending so much time at our home but we won't be home to visit with them (they are coming from WI to have a vacation and to house/dog sit for us at the same time). I may be able to log in from time to time. Dh's computer has a sat. dish connection...WOO HOO. But, it's slower than molasses!! So, it won't be very often at all.

 

[paigevz]

Very cool, Jay..........how do you make orange peel candy?

Nick has read those stories as well, some due to teacher influences, mostly me having him do it.............

I do animal research papers with my second graders..........have you heard of research by the pocket? It's an easy way for them to organize their notes and sources...........

 

[jaycns]

Oh and we started back in June with looking into this:
**the following is just a cut and paste job of part of another post I made in another thread...I didn't rewrite it all...but we did many of the things I had as suggestions and the only things we have left to check off from the list is after we return Jason will build a model of his idea for a theme park ride and draw out a plan for his very own theme park.

The "big man" himself...Walter E. Disney...this was a fun topic to look up. And one my kids have had a ball learning about!

Books:

1. From the Childhood of Famous Americans series, Walt Disney: Young Movie Maker by Marie Hammontree. The card catalog describes the book as "A biography concentrating on the boyhood of the cartoonist and film maker who created Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck." AGES 9-12 are the reccomended ages. However, both my 6 yr. old ds and 5 yr. old ds love hearing it read aloud to them. My 9 yr. old ds loved reading it to himself.

2. Discovering Walt by Jean-Pierre Isbouts. The suggested reading level for this book is grade 4-8. My 9 yr. old ds enjoyed this book. My younger two ds's didn't have near as much interest. Although many photographs/pictures are included it is more biography than a story and thus not as riveting for the younger ages. THIS IS A GREAT BOOK!!

3. The Story of Walt Disney: Maker of Magical Worlds by Bernice Selden. Another biography about Walt Disney...this one has the suggested reading level of grades 4-7. We have yet to read this book but my eldest ds will be starting soon.

4. The Man behind the Magic : The Story of Walt Disney This book is rec. for grades 5 and up.

5. From the "I Like Biographies" collection: Read about Walt Disney by Stephen Feinstein. This book is suggested for grades 4-8.

6. From the "Community Builders" series: Walt Disney: Creator of Magicial Worlds by Charnan Simon. Suggested for grades 4-8.

7. Walt Disney: His Life in Pictures by Russell Schroeder. Suggested for grades 4-6.

Although all of those books are suggested for my 9 yr. old ds's age group I have found that reading them to my younger ds's works well.

A great site on the internet is: http://disney.go.com/disneyatoz/fam...drensguide.html


Ideas for study/discussion/writing projects:
-animation (tons of good how to draw character books out there...also lots of good history of animation books)
-imagination
-business (how Walt worked his way from the poor house into the "Castle")
-following your dreams
-create your own cartoon character
-write out movie story boards and then act out your characters adventures
-food for thought: What do you think Disney would like most about WDW today? What do you think he would like least? What would he be most proud of?
-design your own theme park layout
-design your own theme park ride (build a model)
-Why do you admire Walt Disney?
-make a Sculpey clay model of your very own cartoon character

Okay, not so much on the organization front...but that's my jumbled folder of ideas/finds.

Of course this all ties in with "Walt Disney: One Man's Dream" at MGM and also would work well with The Magic of Disney Animation.

 

[paigevz]

I would imagine you're about jumping out of your skin...........especially with going for that long, all the buttoning up and packing................all the planning and preparing.........I do want to try a disney cruise, those things cost a pretty penny!

Do get on and update us if you get a chance, but don't go out of your way...........after all, you'll be in DISNEY!

 

[paigevz]

Oh and we started back in June with looking into this:
**the following is just a cut and paste job of part of another post I made in another thread...I didn't rewrite it all...but we did many of the things I had as suggestions and the only things we have left to check off from the list is after we return Jason will build a model of his idea for a theme park ride and draw out a plan for his very own theme park.

The "big man" himself...Walter E. Disney...this was a fun topic to look up. And one my kids have had a ball learning about!

Books:

1. From the Childhood of Famous Americans series, Walt Disney: Young Movie Maker by Marie Hammontree. The card catalog describes the book as "A biography concentrating on the boyhood of the cartoonist and film maker who created Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck." AGES 9-12 are the reccomended ages. However, both my 6 yr. old ds and 5 yr. old ds love hearing it read aloud to them. My 9 yr. old ds loved reading it to himself.

2. Discovering Walt by Jean-Pierre Isbouts. The suggested reading level for this book is grade 4-8. My 9 yr. old ds enjoyed this book. My younger two ds's didn't have near as much interest. Although many photographs/pictures are included it is more biography than a story and thus not as riveting for the younger ages. THIS IS A GREAT BOOK!!

3. The Story of Walt Disney: Maker of Magical Worlds by Bernice Selden. Another biography about Walt Disney...this one has the suggested reading level of grades 4-7. We have yet to read this book but my eldest ds will be starting soon.

4. The Man behind the Magic : The Story of Walt Disney This book is rec. for grades 5 and up.

5. From the "I Like Biographies" collection: Read about Walt Disney by Stephen Feinstein. This book is suggested for grades 4-8.

6. From the "Community Builders" series: Walt Disney: Creator of Magicial Worlds by Charnan Simon. Suggested for grades 4-8.

7. Walt Disney: His Life in Pictures by Russell Schroeder. Suggested for grades 4-6.

Although all of those books are suggested for my 9 yr. old ds's age group I have found that reading them to my younger ds's works well.

A great site on the internet is: http://disney.go.com/disneyatoz/fam...drensguide.html


Ideas for study/discussion/writing projects:
-animation (tons of good how to draw character books out there...also lots of good history of animation books)
-imagination
-business (how Walt worked his way from the poor house into the "Castle")
-following your dreams
-create your own cartoon character
-write out movie story boards and then act out your characters adventures
-food for thought: What do you think Disney would like most about WDW today? What do you think he would like least? What would he be most proud of?
-design your own theme park layout
-design your own theme park ride (build a model)
-Why do you admire Walt Disney?
-make a Sculpey clay model of your very own cartoon character

Okay, not so much on the organization front...but that's my jumbled folder of ideas/finds.

Of course this all ties in with "Walt Disney: One Man's Dream" at MGM and also would work well with The Magic of Disney Animation.

Very nice!

Just to add to your folder: at Disneyquest there is a game where you design and RIDE (in a simulator) your own rollercoaster. Then there is another game where you design using a computer, your own SID toy (you know the kid on Toy Story who took parts of other toys and put them together in weird combos?), and then you are given a printout of your design and the pieces to build the toy with...........they just snap together. My son did these on our last trip.

When my son wanted a playground in the backyard, we had him design one on paper, then "paint a picture with words" on the back, then he and dh went to the store and picked up the slide, wood, rope ladder, bolts and so on, printed up some plans and built it. Now we are at a new house, so we are waiting until Luke is old enough to do the same, and we'll put one in here.

 

[jaycns]

Very cool, Jay..........how do you make orange peel candy?

Nick has read those stories as well, some due to teacher influences, mostly me having him do it.............

I do animal research papers with my second graders..........have you heard of research by the pocket? It's an easy way for them to organize their notes and sources...........

No, I will have to look up research by the pocket. That might be perfect for Griffin. He will have to do the same thing...but I was wondering how a six year old would figure out how to organize stuff. It will be his first "research" paper. I figure he can write a few paragraphs and add pictures and stuff. He likes animals a lot. So that will really help with his interest level staying high.


ORANGE PEEL CANDY aka Candied Orange Peel (taken from the Colonial Kids Book)

-3 oranges
-water
-1 tbsp salt
-2 cups sugar
-sugar to roll peels in
------------------------------
-measuring spoons
-plate or medium bowl
-strainer
-spoon
-knife (a butterknife works well)
-saucepan
-measuring cup
-waxed paper

1. Wash oranges, then peel them carefully trying to keep the peels in long strips. (Eat and enjoy the oranges!)

2.Place the peels in a large bowl. Add water to cover them and the salt. Set a plate or smaller bowl on top of them to hold them under water. Let them soak overnight (to remove the bitter taste).

3. Drain the salt water off and rinse the peels in fresh water.

4. Scrape the white inner membrane off of the peels with the side of a spoon.

5.Place the peels in a saucepan and cover with water. Heat to a boil and cook for 20 minutes.

6. Drain the peels, cover with fresh water and repeat the 20 minute boil.

7. Let the peels cool.

8. Cut the peels into strips about as wide as a pencil.

9. Place the peels back in the saucepan and add 3/4 cup water and 2 cups sugar.

10. Cook slowly over low heat until the water has cooked away.

11. Let cool.

12. Roll the peels in sugar and set them on waxed paper to dry.

**This works with lemon, lime and grapefruit peels too. We think they are great to suck on or we add them to our tea for sweetness and a little burst of orange.**

My boys really learned how valuable sugar was and oranges too. It showed them the difference in how things readily available now were VERY hard to come by then. Also, since it takes so long to make the boys learned how long people worked to get simple things back then and although we didn't cook over a woodstove or by candle light, we did talk about how much more they would have had to do to have this treat back then (ie cut the wood, start a fire, get the water from the creek, etc).

 

[jaycns]

Very nice!

Just to add to your folder: at Disneyquest there is a game where you design and RIDE (in a simulator) your own rollercoaster. Then there is another game where you design using a computer, your own SID toy (you know the kid on Toy Story who took parts of other toys and put them together in weird combos?), and then you are given a printout of your design and the pieces to build the toy with...........they just snap together. My son did these on our last trip.

When my son wanted a playground in the backyard, we had him design one on paper, then "paint a picture with words" on the back, then he and dh went to the store and picked up the slide, wood, rope ladder, bolts and so on, printed up some plans and built it. Now we are at a new house, so we are waiting until Luke is old enough to do the same, and we'll put one in here.

All great ideas!! I just copied and pasted those into my "ideas" file and wrote the other ones down in my Disney notebook. I really love the swingset idea!

Well, I better run. The meeting is only 5 minutes from my house, but I need to throw my hair up before I leave.

See you later cousins!!

 

[paigevz]

Jay, we could have done a lot more math with the playground, but Nick was just 4 years old at the time.............he did help read the numbers when daddy measured. He also counted and sorted the materials and we made a picture/number list.

Luke's not quite as advanced, so we'll wait for his.

When Nick was 8, he wanted a "real wood" sandbox. So we had him go out with a tape measure and decide where and how big his sandbox would be. They had their wood cut at Home Depot the right length, and then we took one bag of play sand, dumped it and piled it to the height he wanted, measured it, and then figured how many more bags of sand he needed to fill the whole sand box...........great introduction to area!

Do you have a Home Depot there? Do you know they give a Kids Workshop and the kids can make wooden toys? Nick made a race car, sailboat, shelf, bubble gum machine, wagon and truck. They provide the tools and glue, the precut pieces and instructions and the space.............they also give little orange tool aprons and pins for the aprons for each project done. I think it was the 1st Saturday of each month here. (DH used to work for Home Depot........first in the outside garden dept and then in lumber).

 

[paigevz]

Waitin' for my cousins.............waitin' for 'em to come and play...........HEY COUSINS!

 

[Bbgrizzle]

Here I am, Paige! I'm here to play!

 

[paigevz]

Hi Bonnie! I missed you come on.............I was reading Stepharoonie's post..........scary...........

 

[Bbgrizzle]

Hi Bonnie! I missed you come on.............I was reading Stepharoonie's post..........scary...........

Link, please!

I just found this smilie, very appropriate for me!

 

[Grumpy's Wife]

Hi Ladies.

Bonnie are you feeling better yet?

 

[paigevz]

http://www.disboards.com/showthread.php?t=1221175

That smilie is hilarious..........but not you.............your Joey smilie is appropriate for you.

 

[paigevz]

Hi Ladies.

Bonnie are you feeling better yet?

Hello Tricia, what you been up to this afternoon/evening?