Homeschooling at Walt Disney World

It’s been a busy couple of weeks for my family.  We had several birthdays to celebrate (including my 8 yr old son who had his party at the Lego store at Downtown Disney and LOVED it!), we made a quick trip to the Festival of the Masters at DTD to view some wonderful works of art, and then we took a week long cruise on the Disney Magic.

Talk about learning opportunities at every turn!  We wanted to make sure it was a fun and relaxing time with family and friends.  It’s an interesting twist when you think you need to add in “fun time” rather than learning time, but it didn’t take long to for us to again be reminded that learning and fun really do seem to naturally go hand-in-hand.  It was great to see how the kids’ natural curiosities came out as they explored so many new and interesting things. 

Here are a few of the things that really made an impression with the kids:  We did a quick review of ship lingo (it’s very important to know that the Goofy pool is near the “midship” elevator and the Mickey pool is near the “aft” elevator); we brushed up on our geography studies of the Bahamas, Cayman Islands and eastern Mexico; we swam with stingrays and learned all about their anatomy and behaviors (I’ll be sure to include an amusing post this weekend about how my husband was “bitten” by a stingray even though stingrays don’t have any teeth); and the kids even learned how to make Flubber, engineer cars out of soap and dock the cruise ship at Castaway Cay.

There were plenty of learning opportunities for the “big” kids too.  The “Art of the Theme” tour was a fascinating look at how every design detail of a space is planned to support a theme, we learned fun things like plate and cake decorating, we even learned the all important and impressive skill of towel folding (if you’ve ever seen these very cool towel animals you know what an art it is), and then there was that “educational” wine tasting event…I can promise we learned a lot there too!

Many new adventures undertaken and memories made over the past week.  I look forward to sharing some of our learning ideas as I recall a truly Magical experience!!

A special thanks to Debbie C. for passing this information along:

 November is Native American Appreciation Month.  In recognition, there is a Native American Indian Artifiact display in the lobby of the Disney Wilderness Lodge.  The following hands-on, interactive events will also be held in the lobby of the Wilderness Lodge:   

 November 13:  Cherokee and Wamponoag – Flute songs and cultural chat 1-2 p.m. in the lobby

 November 16: Ed “One Who Soars High” and Kathryn “Happy Fire Woman Hall”,  Mohawk: bead work and cultural chat: 2-6 p.m. in the lobby

 November 18: Cherokee and Cherokee/Iroquois: Blessing of the Four Directions, cultural chat and photo op;  2-4 p.m in the lobby.

 These events are open to anyone who would like to learn more about these interesting cultures.

A couple of months ago we were introduced to the world of Mr. Fox.  While watching clips for upcoming movies we saw the trailer for the new movie based on the Roald Dahl book “Fantastic Mr. Fox.”  We are fans of Roald Dahl’s works such as James and the Giant Peach and Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, but we weren’t familiar with Mr. Fox.  I was interested to learn about the book because we have all enjoyed Dahl’s other stories, but my son was very excited to learn more about because the movie was being created using stop motion animation. 

Of course the first thing we did was order a copy of “Fantastic Mr. Fox.”  It is an easy read chapter book, and the kids could have easily read it independently, but we decided to use is as a read aloud so we could enjoy it together.  As we read the book we also started to learn more about Roald Dahl and the new movie.

For background information about Roald Dahl we found some great resources at  http://www.roalddahl.com/.  Not only does this site include biographical information about this prolific writer, it also includes photo albums and audio clips from an interview with Dahl.  The site offers “Tips for Teachers” including lesson plans and ideas for classroom activities.  There are also ideas to help you celebrate Roald Dahl month (he was born on September 13^th, so apparently September is Roald Dahl month…this website has fun ideas, activity sheets, printables and an educator’s guide to help you celebrate).  There is also a lesson plan for “Fantastic Mr. Fox” that covers “Looking at Story Structure and Character.”

Now, for a glimpse of what to expect from the new film, look no further than the official movie website at http://www.fantasticmrfoxmovie.com/.  There are funny video clips in the “About the Film” section. For the past year my son has been fascinated with the art of stop motion animation.  He has even learned to make his own stop motion films.  He was particularly interested in the clip that showed how the movie’s sets, costume and models were created as they were all hand made.  Stop motion animation is not an easy process, for this film it took 24 shots for every second of film.  That’s a lot of time, patience and model making!  Another resource we’ve found useful is a new book called The Making of Fantastic Mr. Fox.  This book  is: Filled with photos, script pages, storyboards, and interviews with cast and crew, this book is a delightful and intriguing peek at the magic that happens as the filmmakers bring to life one of children’s literature’s most beloved characters: the outrageous, audacious, Fantastic Mr. Fox. This isn’t your traditional picture book based on the movie version of a story, but for those like my son who are totally interested in the nuts and bolts of the behind the scenes action, this is a great resource.

I think we’re all set.  We’ll be at the Downtown Disney theatres on November 25th, ready to explore the crazy adventures of that Fantastic Mr. Fox!

Today we spent an interesting day at SeaWorld.  This year my son is taking a science class and about once a month his instructor offers guided trips to local spots of interest.  Today’s trip was especially interesting because for years our instructor worked as the education coordinator for SeaWorld.  Between his love of nature and knowledge of the park we learned more about the plants and animals at SeaWorld then we could have ever imagined.

What I think I really enjoyed most about the trip was the fact that he approached it much the same way we do when we visit a park for a field trip (vs. how we approach it for a fun, family day).  He took time to point out plants and structures around the parks as well as various types of animals (both those that are local and those that are part of the “collection”).  He gave us interesting background information and pointed out subtle characteristics that could easily be missed if you were just rushing from one ride to another.

I’ve been thinking about different ways to document our field trips.  I know we don’t want to carry around a big notebook, but it would be nice to have a way to remember important facts learned during our visit.  During our trip today we were given a type of scavenger hunt with clues and a space to write the name of a plant or animal that met that description.  It was short and to the point (and only a ½ sheet size piece of paper so it was easy to carry around) but it was also a handy way to make notes and serve as a reminder of our adventures.  I’m going to plan some similar science related trips to WDW after the first of the year so I think I’ll give this method of documentation a try.  The preparation will take a bit of research on my part but I’m sure I can come up with basic questions to help guide our trip and record our learning…I’ll keep you posted on our success with it.

In case you are headed to SeaWorld soon, or are just in the mood for some trivia, here are a few of the interesting scavenger hunt questions we explored today.  The answer to each is a plant or animal:

-          Swims by moving tail up and down

-          Swims by moving tail side to side

-          Was used for postcards or plates

-          Sleeps while standing on one leg

-          Lives only south of the Equator

-          Has five pairs of gills

-          Is an animal, but looks like a plant

-          Has “balloons” to keep it upright

How many do you know?  I know that I learned some new things!

(here are the answers: marine mammal, fish, seagrape leaves, flamingo, penguins, shark, leafy sea dragon, kelp)

Sea Turtle chalk art 2008

OK, so I’ve realized that we have many “favorite” events that take place at WDW every year…but this one really is very special, and we never miss it!

The Festival of the Masters is held every year in mid-November at Downtown Disney.  This art festival includes displays by some of the best artists in the country, as well as music and activities for the entire family. 

One of the truly unique activities of this festival is the chalk art.  Members of the The Central Florida Chalk Artists Association decorate more than six thousand square feet of sidewalk.  Hopefully your kids will be inspired by the art they see around them.  If they are, kids can create their own chalk art masterpieces in a specially designated area. If you have the time it’s worth it to try to visit the festival on Friday as things are getting underway, and then stop back again later on Saturday or on Sunday to see how the chalk art masterpieces take shape.  It is easy to spend hours watching these artists work!

The very best part of the festival – it’s FREE! 

Here are a few additional details –

November 13-15, 2009 

9:30am – 5:30pm (event ends Sunday at 5:00) 

 The art Festival is centered at Downtown Disney Westside, and features the works of some of today’s top artists. Artwork mediums such as photography, glass work, paintings, sculptures, prints, drawings, jewelry, leather & wood, mixed media and collage, and  Digital art are displayed. At the Marketplace, amazing chalk artists create masterpieces on the sidewalks.

This year’s Festival of the Masters features charity art which will benefit the Red Chair Project.  Both the participating artists and their works will be at the Yellow Shoes Creative Group Tent which is located outside Once Upon A Toy.

The Event artwork features one of a kind paintings for purchase ranging in price from $195 to $6000.  Festival of the Masters merchandise includes T-shirts, mugs, hats, bags, a watch, poster and limited edition pen set.

Here is some great info about bats from the Disney Parks Blog

The Disney’s Animal Programs and Environmental Initiatives team really gets into the Halloween spirit each year, hosting a variety of activities throughout the Walt Disney World Resort. Of course, there’s lots going on at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. For example, our bats, which Guests can see every day on the Maharajah Jungle Trek in Asia, get their annual physical exams each year in the days surrounding Halloween. The exams take place in the mornings in view of our Guests at our veterinary hospital at Conservation Station.

To us (and we hope you’ll agree!), bats are “special not spooky.” The bats at Disney’s Animal Kingdom primarily eat fruit, but the smaller bats you might see in your backyard are insectivores—they just love eating all those pesky mosquitoes. A great way to help out the bats in your neighborhood is by building them a bat box. Another way is to support the Disney Worldwide Conservation Fund (DWCF) when you visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom and many other locations at the Walt Disney World Resort. DWCF supports wildlife conservation around the world and here in the U.S. and is helping to protect bats by providing funding for the great work of Bat Conservation International. To learn how to build a bat house and much more, visit the Bat Conservation International Web site here.

Bat fact: The Malayan Flying Fox, which Guests can see when they visit Disney’s Animal Kingdom, is one of the largest bats in the world with a wingspan of close to 6 feet. Being an Old World fruit bat, they can’t echolocate and instead use their excellent eyesight to fly at night and sense of smell to locate food.

In our house we can never get enough of LEGOs or Toy Story, so yesterday my kids just about came unglued when they went to the mailbox and found, addressed to them, a postcard that read:

“You’re Invited to a LEGO Building Event! — Ever wonder how those giant LEGO models are made?  Here’s your chance to find out!  A LEGO Master Builder is coming to the LEGO Store and you’re invited to help him build an 8-foot tall LEGO model of Buzz Lightyear!  You’ll get an Official LEGO Building Certificate for participating!”

Every year during the Festival of the Masters at Downtown Disney the LEGO store creates a larger than life model.  We helped to build R2D2 a couple of years ago, and I know we’ll be there lending a hand this year to build Buzz.  During the Festival the LEGO store usually also has local LEGO builders on hand sharing some incredible pieces they have created.  Last year the theme was transportation and some of the creations included models of the space shuttle and the train station at the Magic Kingdom.  They were amazing!

Here are the details about this year’s Master Builder event from the LEGO website.  Mark it on your calendar, you don’t want to miss it!

The LEGO Store at Downtown Disney
November 13-15
Join in an incredible LEGO event and help a LEGO Master Model Builder construct an 8 foot tall LEGO model of Buzz Lightyear for the first time ever during the 34th annual Festival of the Masters! You’ll get a free LEGO Certificate of Achievement for helping, while supplies last! Plus, visit the LEGO Store during the event to enter for a chance to win a $50 LEGO Store Gift Card! No purchase necessary to enter. This event is fun and free for the whole family!

Friday, November 13: 9:30am - 5pm
Saturday, November 14: 9:30am - 5pm
Sunday, November 15: 9:30am - 5pm

Yesterday was our turn to visit the Fire Station.  During the month of October the wonderful staff at Reedy Creek Emergency Services has hosted six visits for our homeschool group’s families.  They have graciously spent time sharing information about their operations and general fire safety, giving a tour of their fire house and equipment, and answering many questions from our children (and curious parents too!).

 My family has visited many fire stations in the past, but there was something very special about meeting with the team that provides emergency services to Walt Disney World.  We’ve never been to a station affectionately referred to as “the Dalmatian Station” (take one look at the exterior of this amazing facility and you understand the name)!  We took a tour of the building, one of the firefighters put on his complete suit and talked to the kids so they wouldn’t be afraid if they saw a firefighter in uniform offer them help, the kids had a chance to get inside the vehicles and even use the hose. 

We were reminded to go home and update our family evacuation plans (something my kids told the firefighters that we haven’t done since we moved into our new house…talk about incentive to get it done ASAP!) and replace the batteries in our smoke alarms this weekend when the time changes.  These were valuable lessons and things we will put at the very top of our list of activities for the week!