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Mother, Son, Giraffe, Kilimanjaro Safaris, Animal Kingdom, Savannah
  • On Jul 13, 2008
    Lori from MA Asked Note: This answer was provided prior to the change to planDisney and may still contain references to Disney Parks Moms Panel.

    Experiences, policies, pricing and other offerings are subject to change and may have changed since the date of this answer.

    I have heard that when you pull children out of school to go to WDW (depending on the age) that a teacher might assign a report on the trip instead of normal schoolwork. Has anyone else had this experience? If so, what will they be looking for?

    We enjoy traveling in the off-season not only to WDW but to historical places too. From speaking with other parents, it seems that requirements for missed schoolwork differs greatly between schools, teachers and grade levels.

    Since our son began Kindergarten (he'll be starting 3rd grade) our school allows 10 days each year for "educational" trips. Permission for any trip must be granted by our school's principal. For vacations to WDW, I stress the educational value of travel. Reading maps, exploring Epcot's World showcase, learning about new cultures, etc.

    Our son is typically given school work, including math worksheets. Usually he is at least asked to keep a journal and include pictures that will be shared with the class upon his return. In grades K-2, was asked to do daily reading as well. We have always found it very easy to complete the assignments whether traveling by car or plane. He oftens does his worksheets on our travel days and then reads each day in the hotel room either during an afternoon rest or before bed.

    Keep the teacher informed of your plans. Give the teacher as much notice as possible to prepare assignments. Make sure to show your gratitude as this is extra work for the teacher.

    Since our son has started his elementary education, we have taken winter and spring vacations resulting in a total of 10 missed school days per year for these trips. So far, we have not had any academic setbacks and teachers have been very encouraging of our travels. Of course, we would re-evaluate our plans if needed.

    Traveling is a great learning experience for many families. Even WDW offers educational value. Ask your teacher how you as a parent can help your child stay up-to-date with class work. A great teacher is invaluable but travel also offers an engaging world to explore. At Walt Disney World, your child can read, budget money, read travel maps, learn about animals, presidents, cultures, dinosaurs, conservation and more!
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Meet the Panelist: Kimberly, Tennessee

I am a stay-at-home mom with a 12 year old son. I thrive on planning vacations, especially to WDW. Inspiring families to vacation at Disney with a memorable itinerary and budget-saving tips is extremely rewarding for me. Learn More About Kimberly

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