games in the car

Another way to engage children in learning over the summer is playing games while going places in the car.  There are a variety of games to play, depending on your children's ages or interests.  Here are few that I have played with a variety of children.  (These can be played while walking, too.)

The easiest game to play is the Alphabet game.  The goal is to find the entire alphabet on signs and vehicles outside the one you are in.  Start with looking for the letter A.  After that is found, then look for B, followed by C, until you get to Z.  It can be done individually or as a group.  

The license plate game is for longer trips.  Make a list of all the states in the United States.  Then everyone looks for cars with plates from other states.  Every time a new state is noticed, it is marked off on the list.

Another way you can play with words is by choosing a topic or category.  In two or three minutes, try to think of all the thing that would fit in the category.  A few categories to get you started thinking are vegetables, things that swim, transportation, things that are triangles.

There is also the geography game.  The first player names a place anywhere in the world.  Then you take the last letter of that word and the next person names a place that begins with that letter.  Players take turns naming places but cannot repeat places.  For example, the first player says Madagascar.  Then the next player says Rhode Island, the next says Delaware.

The Year Comes Round

The Year Comes Round by Sid Farrar and illustrated by Ilse Plume is a book to add to your poetry collection.  Farrar has written 13 haiku for the year.  Each of the first twelve poems represent a month in the year.  He does well with word choice in each poem. I liked all the poems, but my favorite is the one about cornfields.  Read this book to enjoy a journey through the seasons in a temperate climate.  Even if you don't have children to read to, it is worth checking out from your local library.

writing letters

This summer you and your children could spend some time writing letters.  Writing letters to relatives who live in another town or state will probably gain a reply.  You could also pick favorite authors and write to them.  Sending a letter to some authors will mean a return letter.  On occasion, my students have received a signed copy of an author's book.  Many author's have websites with contact information.  If you cannot find an address you could also send the letter to the publisher, who normally forwards it to the author. 

Green Eyes

Green Eyes by A. Birnbaum is not a new book (it was a Caldecott Honor Book in 1954), but it is a book that children will still enjoy.  It is the story of a kitten in his first year of life.  He describes what he likes to do each season, from one spring to the next.  He then explains what he will enjoy during each upcoming season.  The book reminded me of Kevin Henkes' works, especially Waiting and Kitten's First Full Moon.  The text is simple enough for preschoolers to understand, yet not so simple that elementary students will find it too babyish for their tastes.

science experiments

Science experiments are engaging for children to do at home.  There are many simple experiments you can do at home that don't take a lot of extra stuff and will nurture you child's interest in science.  A book I found at the library, 365 Simple Science Experiments with Everyday Materials, has more that enough experiments to last for the rest of the summer.  The directions are straightforward and explain the why for each experiment.  Even children not too interested in science at school should find something to pique their interest.  If you look online, there are plenty of websites with experiments to do as well. 

The Little Red Fort

The Little Red Fort is written by Brenda Maier and illustrated by Sonia Sanchez.  Ruby finds some boards and decides to build a fort.  At every step of the process she asks her three brothers for help.  Every time they refuse, until it is time to play in it.  This is a new twist on the well known story of the Little Red Hen.  Anyone who likes new versions of old stories will enjoy this book.  I added this to books I will read to my students next school year.   

making books

Making books with children is a perfect activity for a rainy or really hot summer day.  You can make a fairly simple book by stapling multiple pieces of paper together.  A simple sewn book can be made with the directions at this page.  Here I blogged about a book that tells how to make mini books, too.  Once you get the book made, the possibilities are endless.  You can make books together or alone, as detailed or as simple as you like.

Summer Supper

Summer Supper by Rubin Pfeffer with pictures by Mike Austin is a picture book that may impress adults more than children.  Pfeffer wrote a story in which all words begin with the letter S.  A family plants a garden, cares for it, and has a summer party.  The text is concise due to all words beginning with the same letter, but children beyond preschool can enjoy this story.  Teachers could use this book when the class is focused on the letter S or when doing a unit on gardens or teamwork.

nature walks

Nature walks are a great way to enjoy the outdoors with your children while feeding their curiosity and wonder about our world.  With younger children, look for signs that animals have been around or listen for nature sounds, regardless of whether you can see what is making the noise.  Give older children a checklist and mark off the things you see.  Whether you live in town or the country, this can be done by walking around your neighborhood.  If your children enjoy this, try to go the same route at different times of the day to see the difference in animal sightings.  For a longer walk, drive to a nearby park or trail and take along water and a snack.