Back in December, I wrote Part 1 of The Mickey Mouse Over School Dilemma. As a teacher and parent, I have seen both sides of this rather controversial topic within the world of Disney Driven people. In Part 2 of this series, I am going to put my teacher hat on for a little while. I will pretend I am not the mother who is once again planning to take her child out of school and focus on teacher thoughts, challenges, and responsibilities.
Photo Credit: Beth L.
There are definitely some controversial topics when it comes to the Disney Driven Life and the world of education. The first one that cropped up into my head brought me back to December 2008. It was the winter when my husband and I decided to book our first ever family trip to Walt Disney World. When we looked at dates, no matter what we did, school days were involved.
Photo Credit: Beth L.
Did you celebrate the 100th day of school when you were a child? Do your children?
Times have changed in schools across the country. These days they celebrate various items. Most elementary classrooms will talk about Columbus Day, Thanksgiving, Veteran’s Day, President’s Day and other holidays that most people in our community will observe. Of course, to help with multicultural education, they will scatter in some about Christmas, Chanukah, Kwanzaa, Chinese New Year and other holidays. On Halloween, most schools only allow really young children to dress up for Halloween. Oh and a lot of classrooms ask children to dress up as their favorite storybook character. Good thing there are Disney books right?!
Photo Credit: Beth L.
Let’s face it, going back to school can be a challenge for all students. Sure they miss their friends, they like the routines, but the unknown is there. Each August and September, kids around the country head back into the classroom. No doubt, home schooling children also wonder what the year will bring for them. As a teacher, I would also wonder about my students.
Photo Credit: Beth L.
I admit it, I am the parent who never introduced her children to scissors early. I know, I know – bad teacher, but it never seemed like the right time. Then, my oldest son NHL was receiving Occupational Therapy and his therapist asked about his lack of cutting skills. He was barely three, but I had to put my fears aside and work on this with him.
Photo Credit: Beth L.
Being a Disney Driven person living in an educational world, I quickly grew to appreciate all different forms of art. Not only did I adore original Disney Art cells, but other works that were inspired by Disney. Case in point, the Disney Traditions by Jim Shore. So many beautiful pieces that our entire family adores. While getting my undergraduate degree, I took an art in education course. I loved being able to integrate art into literature, math, science, social studies, and beyond. I even did one of my projects based on Walt Disney related items. Shocked, aren’t you?!
Photo Credit: Beth L.
Have you ever walked down Main Street USA and an idea popped into your head? This happened to me during a trip to Walt Disney World in May 2009. While walking out of the Main Street Bakery, we saw a Cast Member “painting” something in the street. We did a double take and captured the image above. Although not in a classroom right now, the teacher in me is constantly churning lesson plans in my head.
Photo Credit: Beth L.
Kids all around the country are already on summer break right now. My son will be finishing up second grade this week. Summer time is not only filled with fun in the sun, but lots of hidden learning in our house. As a certified reading teacher, I make sure that we get in some reading with the boys each and every day when we are home. We have a lot of books and go to the library often (hello, air conditioned location). In many of our local libraries, they have summer reading programs.
Photo Credit: Disney's Photo Pass
No matter where you go, you read stories about children being bullied. Schools across the country are working on programs to teach children how to react to bullying and how to avoid being a bully. The act of bullying has changed a lot over the years. These days we not only worry about kids being physically hit/kicked/punched/harmed, but emotionally picked on as well. Name calling is just the start of the taunting that children can do to each other.
Photo Credit: Beth L.
I still remember it like it was yesterday. My son’s face lit up as we set off on our adventure. He sat on the far side of the boat and could not wait to see what Living with the Land involved. We had only told NHL that there would be surprises that included lots of fruits and vegetables that would make him hungry.
Photo Credit: Beth L.
Looking back, I was a reluctant poetry writer as a student. You see, if it didn’t rhyme – I checked out. It was a challenge for me to get past my childhood views when I was a teacher. If you show any hesitation with children in your classroom, they see right through you. I could tell them it was not my favorite, but had to show them I could get past it and have some creative fun.
Copyright: J.B. Conway
Last week, I introduced you to the idea of writing poetry in the name of Disney. For National Poetry Month, I thought it was fitting to spend a bit of time exploring different types of poetry. Poetry is a great way for children and adults to express their love for the House of Mouse using the power of words.
In my first segment, I introduced acrostic poems. I wrote one about me, and also shared a hidden acrostic poem that is within Lewis Carroll’s Through the Looking-Glass. Acrostic poems are a way to get into the poetry groove, to learn about people/places/things, and to have fun. The best part about acrostic poems is that there really are no rules.
Do you and/or your children like to write poems? Have you ever used Disney characters, people, places, and things to let your inner poet shine?
If you haven’t, don’t worry about it. Now is the perfect time to join in for a little poetry fun. My plan is to introduce you to different styles of poems that you can use with your children. You can use them for fun, as part of a homeschool poetry lesson, while driving/flying to Disney World, or to try yourself as we head into National Poetry Month in April.
Photo Credit: Beth L.
As a parent and educator, one of of the items that has always made me happy with Disney is the ability to put snippets of learning into everything. Even their programing for toddlers has been top notch. When my oldest was little, we used to watch Playhouse Disney. We’re talking long before Disney Junior when Clay, not Ooh and Aah, was the host of the morning programing.
Photo Credit: Beth L.
Last week I did a refresher on how Bill Nye is really the Disney Science Guy. Of course, I also teased a little about having the chance to see Bill Nye.
Flash back almost five years ago.
I was sitting at the desk in my classroom, and the phone rang. It was the principal of our school. She wanted me to come down to her office to chat. This is not usually something you want to hear as a teacher, but her voice sounded excited and not upset. At the end of the day, I went down to meet with her. Mrs. F wanted to read me an e-mail that the president of the school had received and then forwarded to her.
Copyright: Bill Nye
Teacher, geek, scientist, neurotic Disney mom/wife/daughter/child at heart. What do these words have in common? Well, they pretty much help describe who I am. Now imagine how said person would react to the opportunity to meet Bill Nye. Yes, I mean Bill Nye the Science Guy. Do you remember Bill as the host of the Disney children’s science show from 1993-1997? Here is a refresher to jog your memory:
Photo Credit: Beth L.
Getting kids to practice items that are tedious is a challenge, especially while trying to boost their self confidence. Imagine attempting to motivate your three-year-old son to practice his language skills for speech therapy. Yes, this is the “homework” that we have had to do recently.
JSL started speech back in September 2010 while at nursery school a few days a week. My little guy was dropping sounds at the start, end, and even middle of words. As a teacher, I knew something was wrong, but qualifying for speech can often be a battle with Early Intervention Services. This was not simply a second child being lazy, there was more to it. His hearing was fine, but for some reason, even though he was talking a lot, we could not understand a lot of what he was saying.
Photo Credit: Beth L.
What do you do when a child tells you that they don’t like to write? As a teacher, I have had worked with reluctant writers many times. Even children that once liked to write, may not always be enthusiastic about sitting down to write an essay, story, or general assignment. The fact is that most kids have a time in their academic careers where they move away from writing.
Imagine being trapped at home with your children thanks to a storm. Oh wait, I’m living this right now as I type. Rather than whine too much about the current weather, I have been thinking outside the box for something educational to do with my boys. Of course, something Disney immediately came to mind.
A mini-lesson on geography seems like a great place to start. As many people living the Disney Driven Life will know, kids of all ages are always asking to go back to their beloved magical lands. Why not take this opportunity to show kids just how near or far you are to Walt Disney World, or another Disney park?
Photo Credit: Beth L.
Memories of nearly annual trips to Walt Disney World as a child are plentiful. My parents are the first generation in our family’s Disney Driven Life. Disney items filled our house, and we always were doing things related to the House of Mouse. My husband and I continued this with our honeymoon in Disney almost ten years ago. Now, we are making memories with our two boys via adventures to Florida and within our daily lives.