Buy your child a disposable camera, proclaiming him/her to be a reporter who is doing a photo journal on WDW. The cameras are pretty foolproof and you may be surprised at the pictures he'll be able to capture. Once the pictures are developed, have him paste them into an album and write captions for each. A photo journal is my personal #1 favorite when I need to provide an extended-time assignment for a student!

Elementary

language, art, manipulative skills

In conjunction with the photo journal, have him sort and classify the pictures in some logical way. Show him several ways to sort and let him decide on what makes sense to him. (Character pictures, attraction pictures for example). Have him determine how many pages he needs to place all the pictures he has selected to include.

Elementary

science, math

Have the child write a trip report inside an autograph book specifically designed for this purpose. You might suggest that he illustrate each of his comments on a facing page.

Elementary

language, art

Bring a world map with you. After your visit to World Showcase, have your child find all the WS countries on the map. Perhaps once you're home you can mount the map and use stickpins to mark his "travels." Make special stickpins with flags representing the flags of those countries. The Discovery Center gives out sheets with pictures of flags, phrases in the native languages of World Showcase countries, and assorted trivia about the countries (Thanks to Craig Wingerson for this tip!)

Upper Elementary/Middle

social studies

Ask him/her to write to this prompt: "If you could blink your eyes and land at any place in WDW, where would you go? Why?" Here again, this could be illustrated. This writing could be directed toward many types of poetry such as haiku, diamante, and cinquain, depending upon grade level.

Upper Elementary/Middle/High

language arts

While on the trip, look for inexpensive things that could be pasted easily into the album as lasting mementos of the trip. (Admission ticket, Mickey napkin, clippings from the park guidemap, Disney sticker). Remember--when you're making memories, happy days will reappear!!! Be sure to include the trip report in this album!

All levels

Mom and Dad: write a page about YOUR perspective on experiencing this trip with your children. Write it TO the children...they'll treasure it. Write about seeing WDW through their eyes.

Any level, but especially elementary

If driving to WDW, charge your child with the task of planning the trip route. Have him/her do calculations for things such as: estimated total mileage; gasoline consumption and cost; hotel expense; food expense, etc. Would an alternate route result in a lower projected expense?

Upper Elementary/Middle

math, social studies

Calculate the cost of buying a WDW vacation package and weigh it against buying the same features separately. Which plan saves you money? The answer will depend on what options you choose.

Middle/High

math

Use the TV, newspaper, or the Internet to monitor the Orlando area projected weather forecast prior to leaving home. Use the satellite and radar maps to track precipitation trends.

All levels

science, social studies, technology, language arts