School Troubles?

Originally Posted By LESOS

I just got a note from my daughters school asking me to define the educational aspects of our trip. I seem to be drawing a blank,I am thinking rides and Mickey and other fun things. I know there is educational aspects to this. She is in grade one and is in a special learning center. I kind of got panicky when I got it and wondered what happens if they deny it? (We are paid in full for April 25-30th we are going no matter what) Is this a normal request?

 

Originally Posted By -em

Educational points:

When you get to Epcot, get a passport and when you visit each country a Cast Member from that country will stamp and write something in the countries language.

Animal Kingdom- Take the Safari and the treks and take pictures of the different animals seen.

DAK also as lots of guides out to tell kids about different animals. Often times they have animals with them or near them to make it more interactive.

Studios and MK are a bit harder for educational points for that young but could be done if needed.

-em

 

Originally Posted By sherrytodd

Wow, I've never gotten anything but "Have fun!"

There is definately lots of educational opportunities at Epcot and Animal Kingdom. Even MGM Studios could be looked at as educational from a career standpoint. We did the behind the seeds tour at the Living with the Land Pavilion and they gave my son the information to build his own hydroponic setup and he came home and we set it up and he's growing plants hydroponicly in the basement. What is your daughter interested in? Besides Mickey and Princesses. =)

 

Originally Posted By tiggerdis_

Arggg, I had half a page and I lost it. Here are some ideas:

1. Keep a journal. Have her write about all her adventures. Make sure she uses her own “spellingâ€. Make sure this includes her feelings as well as what you did each day.

2. In Epcot, have her pick up the mask and have it signed at each of the world showcase pavillions. It makes a great souvenir, and an even greater sharing tool.

3. Keep a video journal. Have her interview some of the employees. If you keep it to about 15 minutes, she can share it with her class when she gets back.

4. Have her record the temperature each day, then either graph it with her, or have her do a pencil rubbing of the equivalent money (ie. If it’s 78 degrees, have her do a pencil rubbing of 78cents)

5. The animals in the animal kingdom should be good for science. She can help to describe each animal, the country they come from and what Disney does to keep them comfortable (I was just looking at our learning outcomes for grade 1 science and it says “describe how the basic needs of animals are met in their environment), so this would be very basic.

6. Do you have a pedometer? For physical education, you could count steps each day.

7. Help her mark on a map where you live and where you’ve travelled to.


I hope this helps!

 

Originally Posted By LESOS

Thanks so much! I guess they are looking at passing a bill or something here that will fine parents for taking their kids out of school outside of holidays. I just do not like the bottom of the form which says request approved or disapproved. Like I said we are going no matter what!

 

Originally Posted By danyoung

I don't have kids, but I have a real hard time with this, LESOS. If it were me I'd respond that I'm taking my kids out of school from this date to this date, and we'd appreciate help with homework assignments that they can do while on vacation. Other than that, it's none of their business!

 

Originally Posted By tiggerdis_

Unfortunately, and I'm not an American, I believe that you have a law that states children must attend school. If that is the case then, they do have the right to say no. I also believe that the way schools are funded, if you pull your child for a week the school does not get paid for the week.


Oh, gee, I hope this doesn't end up in world events.


<<steps off her orange crate

 

Originally Posted By dsnykid

As a teacher and someone who got pulled out of school every year:
GO!!! HAVE FUN!
-Make and Disney Dictionary with pictures of things she sees
-Definitely do a weather journal, it covers math and science curriculum for most grade one curriculums
-If she is getting spending money, have her write down how much she spends on everything - it's basic math
-The cultural experiences at EPCOT are perfect for Social Studies and HIstory
-all the reading she will be doing in restaurants, signs, brochures, etc.. is recognizing print in everyday settings, an important part of early reading
-The time spent with family is important for her health and well- being and should be considered above and beyond any curriculum standards she may miss while away from school, at least in Gr. 1

 

Originally Posted By LESOS

Thanks to all who have responded. I filled out the form and put it in her backpack for tomorrow..will let you all know. I used many of the suggestions, and added Family Enrichment as one of them.

 

Originally Posted By nemopoppins

LESOS, I think it's nice that your school is letting you define the educational experiences. One thing I really hate is when my kids' schools send homework that tells ME to do something specific with MY kids. I'M NOT IN SCHOOL! I'll teach my kids the way I want. So far my kids have only missed two days at a time for Disneyland trips so they've never been assigned independent study, but this November we'll be going to WDW for a week. I'm hoping the assignments won't detract too much from our trip. It would be really good if my kids' schools would let me do it my way. I liked the suggestions above, I'll save them if maybe I'll get to use them.

 

Originally Posted By layna

If she's in public school, then I wouldn't stress about it too much.

Essentially what happens, is someone far removed from the actual classroom makes up some silly law and the administrators (also far removed from the classroom) design the note that is sent home to parents, is barely looked at because schools are understaffed and have mounds of similiar paperwork, and then gets filed somewhere in case the state department of education comes in and *might* by chance be concerned with a Disney trip taken by 1 teeny tiny 1st grader over other serious issues like drugs, teen pregnancy, or gang violence.

 

Originally Posted By sun-n-fun

They obviously never compared the price of going to WDW during vacations and during school. As a teacher I always hated when parents took their kids out of school for vacation but expected you to put in time getting a weeks worth of notes and work ready for them. Then I priced a week for my mom who was going the 2nd week in Feb - compared to our 3rd week (Pres day). WOW What a difference. The flight alone was almost $200 cheaper per person. I wish I could go at other times. It can be such a savings and maybe the only way a family can afford to go.

 

Originally Posted By vbdad55

<Unfortunately, and I'm not an American, I believe that you have a law that states children must attend school. If that is the case then, they do have the right to say no. I also believe that the way schools are funded, if you pull your child for a week the school does not get paid for the week.
<

It entirely has to do with the funding issue...a concern to me. Especially let's say this child has an impeccable attendance rate, they have to make up for some who do not.

I believe school is of the utmost importance - however on the other end - many times the last weeks of school books have already been collected -and the full force learning has stopped - but that seems to be OK, because as long as butts are in seats they get their per child contribution.

Also if my student was struggling with classwork / failing etc, then school becomes the priority, unfortunately the way the funding is applied there is no room for decision making, it's all or nothing.

Enjoy your trip as a family... that time is also needed for development.

 

Originally Posted By layna

Schools don't lose money if a child is enrolled but absent.

I'm saying that as a fact that I'd bet money on. If I'm wrong, then it will blow me away.

I'm a teacher, too. Even though I'm ok with you taking your kid out of school for vacation. I *probably* would not do that for my kid. My kid has missed 3 days all year because he had strep throat once. I also don't miss work.

It just depends on priorities. Education is my #1. I'm too afraid he might get behind the other kids. But, I know the kids who go on vacation and get their work ahead of time, are usually my best kids and they don't get behind. They are conscientious to make sure they get their work done, and they usually come back with better work than the kids who sat in class did. In school there are a lot of distractions, both in the class, lunch, friend issues, bf/gf issues, etc.

 

Originally Posted By tiggerdis_

<a href="http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17521763/" target="_blank">http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/17
521763/</a>

I was pretty sure I had read this in the news.

And for the record layna, I'm a teacher too.

 

Originally Posted By layna

There's a record?

 

Originally Posted By layna

I just read that link. Woah! That's not how it is in my state (Arkansas).

Schwarzanazi's really kinda' insane, huh?

Is he still spending your retirement money?

 

Originally Posted By Ursula

Regardless, I suggest buying postcards from every country in Epcot and sending them back to the classroom for all to enjoy and maybe learn a little about the outside world.

You can even stop someone from each country and ask them to write "hello" in their own language.

 

Originally Posted By ourmagicears

Cali Resident here! Yes, our Governer is insane! I am a SITE council member for our school (We approve the schools budget) and passed school board member. Our County is really cracking down on the attendence "problem." My sister-in-law is on the SARTS board (they are the ones who say if you (parent) gets turned into the District Attorney or not. People here are getting fined BIG $$$$. My Sister-in-Law says that the majority of the cases that are being turned over the DA are low income families. In one case the DA has taken away their government assistance until their high school child attends school for 20 consecutive days (she missed 6 weeks straight of the same class). This is going
to really hurt their family, but will this make their daughter stay in school???!!!
Well, we are leaving next Wednesday for our vacation, our children will miss three days of school. By our county regulations my kids will not be placed on "independent study". I still asked their teachers if I could get their school work. Both teachers have stated that my children are way ahead and that since this is the week leading into Spring Break, and they won't be doing anything "educational", there isn't any work going to be sent home. SOOOOOO why did I wait to take my kids during Spring Break, answer: So I could spend a heck of a lot more $$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$!

 

Originally Posted By nemopoppins

California's method of school funding that the article speaks about was in place well before Schwarzennegar, but he sucks anyway. California's funding is also very uneven. It's nice to see that they're getting $36 per student per day in Scott's Valley because in Pacifica we get something more like $14. Anyway, don't let politics ruin your trip. You just do what's best for your children.