Summer is here!
Are you
looking for a way to connect with students and their parents over the
summer? Mailing off a list of
summer activities that promote literacy and math during the vacation months
might be what you are looking for. Many times parents ask us for ideas of
things they can do at home with their children during the summer, but lose the
list as summer sets in. Mailing
them a checklist of summer activities connects you with them.
Here is a
list of great weekly activities parents can choose from:
·
Library
Time! Go to the public library
once a week
·
Old
and Young! Visit a senior center once a week and read someone there a book.
·
Estimate
It! Keep an estimation jar and
have your kids guess the amount once a week! Make sure they count the beans, rocks, etc. to verify their
estimation.
·
Clean
Up Day. Choose a local park to
visit weekly. Pick up any trash
you find and then have a picnic!
·
Journal
Time. Once a week have your child
write in a summer journal. Orally
review the week together and then give your child time to write about the
events of the past week.
·
Wrap
It Up! At the beginning of the summer pick out 8 to 10
books that your child wants to read. Wrap them up in gift-wrap and once a week
let your child chose the book he/she will read for that week.
·
Game
Day! Reserve one day a week for
game day. Gather together several
games and let your children choose which game they want to play. Young children can build math skills by
playing go fish or concentration with a simple deck of cards.
·
Research
It! Catch bugs and research them
with you kids! Great fun and
builds investigation skills in your children.
·
Put
on a Play! Once a week read a play
with your children. Dress up and
act it out. This is a great way to
continue literacy during the summer.
·
Local Museum. Call your local museum and ask when they offer free hours.
In the summer many museums offer free hours and days.
·
Lemonade
Stand! Teach your child about
money and responsibility by having a lemonade stand once a week during specific
hours. Shopping, counting change,
and determining profit are all great Math skills for your child!
·
Keep
in Touch! Let your kid write a family newsletter once a
week. This is a great way to learn
about summarizing as they describe the weeks activities. Kids can type up the newsletter, add
photos and send them out to all the grandparents.
Happy
Teaching!
Granite School District also made great word wall cards you can print out. 
