In this very special edition of 5 Rae Friday, we'll explore tips to make summer learning fun and productive. Miss Shannon likes to use the phrase “Summer is just a season” and what she means is that Summer is a great time to cement what we've learned during the school year, catch up on areas we've fallen behind, or even getting ahead on Reading, Math or a language for the next year. Of course summer vacation is for family and fun, but let's not let those learning muscles atrophy and let's also make sure we foster that love of learning we talk so much about here at Reading Rascals….year 'round

Miss Shannon Fun Fact of the Week: Miss Shannon loves the beach. Do you have a favorite beach?

Nature Exploration: Encourage children to explore the natural surroundings. Take them on hikes, nature walks, or visits to parks or gardens. Encourage them to observe plants, insects, and animals, and engage in discussions about what they discover. Create games or make believe and use nature as your backdrop. I've been on many an expedition in my backyard. Use nature to paint vivid colors.

 

Scavenger Hunts: Create scavenger hunts tailored to the environment you're in. You can make a list of items or objects for the children to find, such as leaves, rocks, or specific plants. This activity promotes observation skills and introduces kids to different elements of the environment.

 

Storytelling and Reading: Pack a selection of age-appropriate books for your vacation (check out Miss Shannon's Top 10 books for Rascals 4-8 in a previous Newsletter). Spend time reading together, both indoors and outdoors. Encourage children to share their own stories and engage their imaginations by creating their own narratives. Remember to ask questions. 

 

Art and Crafts: Provide children with art supplies like paper, crayons, colored pencils, or watercolors. Encourage them to create artwork inspired by their surroundings or their experiences during the vacation. This activity promotes creativity and fine motor skills. Use a menu or lunch napkin or a hotel pad of paper. Learning is always fun, even on vacation.

 

Cooking and Baking: Involve children in simple cooking or baking activities. Rascals can help measure ingredients, mix, or decorate cookies. This hands-on experience teaches our kids about following instructions, measuring, and understanding basic concepts of cooking and nutrition…and the homework is oh so delicious.

 

Cultural Exploration: If you're visiting a new place, take the opportunity to learn about the local culture. Visit museums, historical sites, or cultural events to expose children to new experiences and broaden their knowledge. Even if this year is a ‘Staycation" year, explore your own local parks or museums. We're constantly surprised at how many resources exist a few miles from home.

 

Science Experiments: Conduct simple science experiments that can be done with readily available materials. For example, you can make a volcano erupt using baking soda and vinegar, or explore the properties of water by conducting water-based experiments. These activities foster curiosity and critical thinking. Just please make sure your Rascals are supervised and they aren't playing with materials that could cause harm.

 

Music and Dance: Encourage children to explore music and movement. Play different genres of music and let them experiment with creating their own rhythms and dances. This activity promotes self-expression and coordination. Be goofy, dress up…dance like no one's watching and if there is a local event or concert handy, give it a go…and as always, have fun Rascals. These are the best times of our lives because they are here and now. Happy Summer! 

 

VIDEO OF THE MONTH: COLOR CODING SENTENCES