Family Learning

Skip the costly summer camp and bring the summer camp to the home. Below are outlined various activities for themed weeks for experiential learning. The goal is to help develop skills by completing hands-on activities, going to the local library to research information, using the computer to find and print pictures, and creating posters for each themed week. At the end of the summer, plan to do a poster presentation for family to explain the different activities.

A summer of educational fun….

Week 1: Spread Kindness Week

In order to promote kindness, dedicate a week to being kind. While it is important to integrate lessons of kindness on a continual basis, it is important to focus and emphasize the need by engaging in specific activities. Also, plan to discuss gratitude and specifically why we are grateful for freedom, first responders, community helpers, shelter, food, family, our community and friends, nature, and love. Below are activities that can help to bring the topic of kindness to life:

Write out cards and mail letters to our servicemen and servicewomen in the military. Watch videos of soldiers returning home.
Deliver a treat to the local firehouse and police department
Bring cozy blankets/ towels to the local animal shelter.
Put together hygiene essentials to donate to the homeless, group homes for displaced foster children, and/or battered women’s shelters.
Set up a lemonade stand and use the proceeds to donate books to their school.
Write heartfelt cards to teachers, guidance counselors, administrators, custodians, and secretaries.
Write out compliment cards to friends and loved ones.
Purchase a kit to watch caterpillars turn to butterflies. Let them go and wish them well.
Attend a Lantern Festival. Write hopes and dreams for ourselves and loved ones on the lanterns and let them go.

Week 2: Which Way USA Week

Learn about the United States and Timezones
Listen to different accents on YouTube
Research some of the main attractions to visit in each state
Roadtrip through a few states
Highlights Which Way USA magazines are wonderful!

Week 3: Oceanography Week

Research the layers of the ocean and ocean life
Pick up garbage from the beach with gloves
Go to the local aquarium

Week 4: Soaring into Space Week

Research the planets and stars
Visit the planetarium
Camp out underneath the stars
Use a telescope

Week 5: Prehistoric Week

Research the different eras and the dinosaurs that existed during each era
Visit a nearby museum
Make your own fossil find by hiding objects in a container of sand and using brushes.

Week 6: Around the World Week

Choose two countries per day to learn about
Each day look up the local dress, food, and places to visit for the countries
Make a dish for dinner that originated from the countries
Create a poster for each country

Week 7: Review of the 1900s

Go through each decade and find images of the fashion
Create a timeline of major events from each decade with pictures
Watch videos of the popular dances for each decade

Week 8: History of Rock Week

Discuss the different types of music and the progression of music
Watch videos of people playing different instruments
Listen to a song and try to guess which instrument is being played at different times.
Make a rock band name, dress up like rock stars, and use household items for a mock concert

Week 9: Aerodynamics Week

Fly a kite
Research the Wright Brothers, Amelia Earhart, and Tuskegee Airmen
Visit a Hot Air Balloon Festival
Make paper airplanes
Set off a small rocket

Week 10: Historical Figures Week

Have each child chose a historical figure to learn about
Purchase costumes
Have the child complete a short biography with the information learned

Poster Presentation

At the end of the summer, set up the posters from each week including printed images and pictures of the children engaging in the activities. Have the children dress in their costumes from the previous week. Have them present their posters and their biographies to the family showcasing the information they learned.