Summer is a great time to rest up and plan for the next school year but often there is concern about students taking the academic slide. So to prevent that, here are a few fun events that your student can participate in to keep them on course for the next school year.
This last month, my school had an end-of-year book fair. Students were very excited to shop on their own and buy books, pens, posters, and all kinds of fun items. In walking around with my class, I found two books that were inappropriate for primary students to pick without the guidance of their parents. I was grateful to speak with my PTSA leader about the matter and found a solution to continue to protect our children and support parents' rights. I share this with you to let you know that we can no longer just let our students go to book fairs, get on websites, or work with just any instructor without you looking a little deeper to find out whether that book, site, or teacher is going to speak against your beliefs and values as a family. So with any of these resources, I will share a link where you can find more information. -AMW |
Father’s Day is June 18th. Honor fathers in your family by completing a craft. They can be found below in the Art and Craft section.
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Elementary students can take a reading adventure this summer by taking the pledge to read all summer long. Join RIF on their summer reading field trip series! Stories and field trips will include trips to beaches, parks, museums, and the great outdoors. Parents may also download activities to be completed with each book to support reading engagement and comprehension.
Learn more: RIF Summer Reading (For early elementary) |
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Writing camps are led by writers with the mission to inspire creativity and joy in writing. Half-day camps for $250 will be offered in person at our brand-new Denver location at 3844 York St and virtually from 9:30 AM to 12:30 PM and 1:30 to 4:30 PM, Monday through Friday, throughout the summer, starting June 26 - August 11. Half-day camps and lunch care are available for all age groups throughout the summer. Each add-on is $20 for the week. A one-week, full-day summer intensive is offered once per summer for both middle school and high school writers. In-person and virtual camps will run from June 26 through August 11, 2023. For more information visit upcoming camps to research the instructors visit the staff link.
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June 1st is National Pen Pal Day. Writing to other students across the world is a great way to encourage students to practice writing skills. Here are a couple of secure programs to look at. Global Penfriends is a family-friendly connection to meet new pen pals for all ages. If your student is interested in meeting penpals from all over the world, building a new friendship, exchanging culture, learning a language, traveling, and education. Snail mail members enjoy exchanging letters, postcards, mail art, candy, and more. PenPal Schools connects students from 150 countries. Students not only write to each other but they also create projects in over 50 different topics. Topics include robotics, film, protecting the planet, mathematics, music, and much more.
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See how much you know about pollinators by completing this word search.
Bird Seed Ornament
-Thin cardboard (such as a cereal box) -Pencil -Template or large cookie cutters -Scissors -Peanut butter (or comparable, bird-safe spread) -Bird seed -Small nail or tapestry needle -Floral wire Steps: Flatten your cardboard and draw any shape you like with a pencil. In the center, draw a circle about 1 1/2 inches in diameter. Cut out the shape and the inside circle. Use the nail or needle to poke a hole in the top of the shape (adults only). Thread a piece of floral wire through the hole and twist it to close. Spread a thin layer of peanut butter on the shape and cover it with bird seed. Place the ornament on a baking tray lined with wax paper to set. If desired, repeat on the other side Last, hang it outside and wait for birds to show. |
Garden to help pollinators
Certain plants support different pollinators. You can do an herb garden that supports the black swallowtails, peas for sulphur butterflies, grasses for skippers, trees for admirals, or milkweed for a monarch. You will need: -Seeds (dill, parsley, milkweed, hollyhock, or little bluestem) -Large pots -Soil -A peaceful and undisturbed area to place pots For more information visit Garden Ideas |
OUTDOOR MOVIES
Enjoy a family movie, under the stars, on a huge 24-foot movie screen! Bring your chairs and blankets. Concessions will be available for an additional charge. WHEN: June 23 TIME: Seating opens one hour before Dusk LOCATION: North Baseball Field, 56401 Sunset Ave. in Strasburg; FREE admission, but donations are appreciated to help fund Youth Programs and Scholarships. MOVIE: The Blind Side, Sponsored by Crandell Drilling |
Following Dad Craft
-Orange and brown paint (we used acrylic but must use it fast!) -Daddy's shoe -Paintbrush -White card stock paper -Child’s feet With parent permission, grab Dad's boot or shoe and paint the bottom quickly with brown paint. Stamp it on the piece of white card stock paper. Paint your little one's feet with orange paint and stamp it inside the middle of the boot print. Finish off the craft by writing "Following in my daddy's shoes" and add a little heart! |
Photo and Frame Craft for Dad
-wood frame -twigs -high-temp hot glue gun and glue sticks -photo mat to fit the frame opening -favorite camping photo -fine-tipped permanent marker First, collect twigs then break them to fit on the frame. Then hot glue them to the wooden frame. Once the entire frame is covered in twigs, use a fine-tipped permanent marker to write a message to Dad on the mat. Remove the frame backing and clean the glass. Insert mat in frame and place photo on the mat. Last, secure the edges of the photo with tape. Replace the frame back. |
Baseball Mason Jar Gift
-Glass Mason Jar or Plastic Mason Jar with one-piece lids -White acrylic paint -Red acrylic paint or red permanent marker/Sharpie -Red and white gingham ribbon -Paintbrush -Scissors -Pencil -Treats to fill your jar – Baseball Chocolates M&Ms in your favorite team’s colors Candy kisses in your favorite team’s colors Roasted Peanuts Baseball Mini Chocolate Bars First, paint the lid with several coats of white acrylic paint. Next, add the baseball stitching to the mason jar lid. Use a lid from another jar to help draw the two curved lines. Trace your pencil lines with red acrylic paint and a tiny brush or use a permanent red marker. Then add small Vs along them. Then fill Dad’s mason jar with all his favorite snacks. You could make all kinds of snack jars one for game night, fishing trips, road trips, movie night, work snacks, and all kinds. |
National Clay Week is June 13th-19th. Here is an easy recipe to enjoy crafting items.
Air dry clay recipe Materials: - 1 cup Baking soda - 1/2 cup Cornstarch - 3/4 cup Water Add baking soda, cornstarch, and water to a pot and stir together. Place the pot on a burner over low heat. Stir continuously until the mixture starts to pull away from the pot and it forms a "mashed potato" consistency. Pull the pot off the heat immediately when it reaches this thickness. Do not overcook! Put the clay into a bowl or spread it out on a baking sheet to cool. Let the clay reach room temperature before working with it. It will take at least half an hour to cool down. If the clay sticks to surfaces, or your hands, dust the work area with cornstarch. |