Amothersrandomthoughts.com Copyright 2018  Introduction to Homeschooling with Movies with Disney’s A Christmas Carol and Mickey’s Christmas Carol Movies

INTRODUCTION TO HOMESCHOOLING with MOVIES

Using DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL AND MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL MOVIES

Introduction and Overview:

Read these notes and overview before beginning to study A Christmas Carol. This Introduction to Homeschooling with Movies using Disney’s A Christmas Carol and Mickey’s Christmas Carol Movies is designed to give you a clear understanding of the differences between the movie and the Charles Dicken’s story. It is also an outline of what to expect during the next two weeks. It is designed to be used with Elements of Fun Learning Curriculum found here! Enjoy!

• The Charles Dickens story was originally published on December 19, 1843.
• The story is set in London, England.
• Many of the same elements are in both the short story and the Disney movie and Mickey’s version.
• Most movie versions follow a similar plot line
• A miserly older gentleman (Ebenezer Scrooge) hates Christmas, loves money, and is not kind.
• The story begins before Christmas.
• Bob Cratchit is Scrooge’s employee.
• Cratchit’s son, Tiny Tim, is ill and most likely will not see another Christmas.
• Scrooge’s business partner, Jacob Marley is dead and reappears to him carrying chains. The chains represent his greed and selfishness.
• Marley tells Scrooge that he has a chance to redeem himself and not be eternally damned. 
• Scrooge is visited by 3 spirits – Ghost of Christmas Past, Ghost of Christmas Present, and Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come (sometimes called Christmas Future).
• The Ghost of Christmas Past takes him to some childhood scenes. 
• Scrooge’s fiance left him because he loved money more than her.
• The Ghost of Christmas Present shows Scrooge his nephew’s Christmas party. He also shows him Cratchit’s house and Tiny Tim. The spirit tells Scrooge that Tiny Tim will die unless he gets some medical care.
• The Ghost of Christmas Yet To Come shows Scrooge a Christmas Day in the future and the funeral of a disliked man who is later revealed to be Scrooge. Scrooge also sees the Crachit family mourning Tiny Tim’s death.
• Scrooge pledges to change his ways.
• Scrooge awakens on Christmas morning a changed man.

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DIFFERENCES BETWEEN DISNEY’S A CHRISTMAS CAROL AND CHARLES DICKEN’S STORY:

There are some differences between the movie and the story. Some of the obvious differences are as follows:

In Dicken’s story:

• Scrooge is disowned by his father and sent to Fessiwig where Scrooge is the apprentice.
• The three ghosts visit over three nights.
• The Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come visits on Christmas Eve.
• The poor are very poor.
• Scrooge appears to be about 70 and is frail.
• The Ghost of Christmas Present blows away at midnight. Tiny Tim says, “God bless us every ONE.” This represents each person.

In the Disney movie:

• Scrooge receives a small inheritance from his father.
• This movie was made in 3D and many scenes were made for that effect.
• The three spirits visit on Christmas Eve.
• The movie isn’t as somber as the book.
• The people in the movie appear to be “richer.”
• Scrooge appears to be younger.
• Ghost of Christmas Present simply disappears.
• This movie adds action scenes that obviously wouldn’t be in the book such as Scrooge flying over the city.
• The intro into the future has a scene where Scrooge is being chased by a carriage through the streets of London. Tiny Tim says, “God bless us everyone.” This represents a group – the whole group.

GENERAL NOTES

(These basic notes are included with additional suggestions for learning activities)

The Walt Disney movie is the first full-length animated color movie.

Suggestions: For Two Weeks: During week one if there is any work you haven’t finished, continue on into week two. I have additional book suggestions if you need more work for week 2. During week 2 work on planning a traditional English Christmas Feast, costumes, and catching up on any work that you fell behind. Additionally week 2 can be used for Field Trip activities.

MY REVIEW OF DISNEY’S MICKEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL, DISNEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL (2009 Starring Jim Carrey)  AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR VIEWING:

Mickey’s Christmas Carol Review can be found here! This movie may be scary for some children. However, Disney’s 2009 Christmas Carol (animated) starring Jim Carrey is bizarre. While it is rated PG, many people said it was too scary for their children. Here is the Common Sense Review for you to judge if you want to watch it. We have watched it, but this is not a movie we enjoy.

GEOGRAPHY/HISTORY:

BEGINNER, INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED:

All three levels will include a study London, England during the time of Dickens Christmas in England.

ADDITIONAL STUDY:

• Christmas traditions of the Victorian Era
• Food and Drink
• Christmas Cards

SCIENCE:

Experiments with Christmas items – Candy Canes, Pine Needles, Christmas Tree Lights

LITERATURE/ENGLISH/LANGUAGE ARTS:

BEGINNER, INTERMEDIATE, ADVANCED:

All ages should read Charles Dicken’s  A Christmas Carol. You may want to select an abridged version or Mickey’s Christmas Carol for younger children.

ADDITIONAL STUDY:

• Study the tenses – present, past, and future
• Additional reading selections include: The Gift of the Magi, The Nutcracker and more

HEALTH/PHYSICAL EDUCATION:

BEGINNER, INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED:

This week we will briefly study nutrition and lack of proper nutrition during the Victorian Era. Speculation on what disease Tiny Tim had.

ADDITIONAL STUDY:

• Diseases linked to poor nutrition – Rickets, Scurvy, kidney failure.

MUSIC/ART:

BEGINNER, INTERMEDIATE AND ADVANCED:

Study and learn Christmas Carols from the 1800’s.

ADDITIONAL STUDY:

Design Christmas Cards

ADDITIONAL STUDY:

• Visit a Victorian town at Christmas
• Study the Character Traits of Generosity/Greed
• Plan a traditional English Christmas Dinner
• Visit Christmas Lights and Displays such as Lumaze Lights

For a complete Lesson Plan, VISIT ELEMENTS of FUN LEARNING – DISNEY’S CHRISTMAS CAROL