Summer is here...
and the fact is, most of our kids will lose a bit of ground in terms of math comprehension and reading skills. This minor scholastic "set-back" is nothing to be concerned about but it can be avoided with some fun Summer time activities.
One tip is to talk with your child's teacher for the next year, find out what they will be studying and start the learning adventure early with your kids throughout the summer. This will prepare your kids for the next year and bring us parents into their world of education a little more. You can often times find the curriculum online through the state, city, or district web-sites as well.
Over the Summer we will be posting some fun easy ways to bring education and fun together with your kids this summer. These tips come from our own research as well as our own experience as parents, additionally my Mother brings her expertise as a teacher to these! Some idea's will be borrowed and shared with you from other sources, and some will be idea's of our very own!
First Idea for Summer 2011
Native American history
Scholastic subjects to touch upon...
History
Science
Math
Our country has a rich Native American history. No matter where you live in the United States, there is a great deal of Native American history near you.
First things first, do your homework...
Spend some time on the Internet first and find out a little about your local history.
Bring the kids into the fold...
Take a Trip to the library, bring the kids and check some books out about your
local Native America tribes.
PROJECT 1:
Math and history
Pick a date pertaining to an important event of your choosing in Native American history then make a time line from then to the present.
Mark various important and historical dates, personal and family occasions like birthdays, anniversary etc... Bring your family into the timeline.
Add pictures for a visual reference.
This can be a great project to come back to over and over again. Return to the timeline and mark new events from history as you learn about them. This creates a great discussion of events happening simultaneously in history. How did these events effect on another?
Conversation points:
*What big changes have occurred in our area along this time line that we know of?
-cities being formed.
-Dams being built which change the landscape.
*How do you think these events effect us here and now?
*How many years between then and now?
QUICK NOTE...
While you are at the library, sign the kids up for Summer reading program!
Summer Reading programs are a great way to keep the kids reading all Summer. Your kids can make a game of reading, win prizes and participate in fun community events at their library!
PROJECT 2:
history and geography
Get out of the house and see some sites!!
You've all been learning a bit about Native American history, now pack up the car and visit some local historical sites!
Having the kids learn about these sites before visiting them will give them greater appreciation and understanding of what they are looking at.
On the drive...
Read some fun Native American Facts with your FanDex set.
Come grab yours at Aster & Bee!
CONVERSATION POINTS:
Imagine what this area looked like without the buildings, roads, and houses?
How do you think the Native Americans used this area of land to survive?
-Animals to hunt?
-Rivers to fish?
What's next?
Now...you and your family have read about Native American history, learned a bit about your local history and spent some family time site seeing and visiting important historical landmarks.
Time to head back home and play in the yard...
PROJECT #3:
science, math and history
Build a Tee pee
We did this ourselves to see how it would work.
It is so much fun, and will be a great playhouse to have in the yard all summer!
WHAT YOU NEED:
6-10 foot bamboo poles
2 8x10 tarps
1 5x7 tarp
String
Tent stakes
Spray paint
This is a great site about various Native American homes for more information about Tee pee
as well as the variety of Native dwelling styles.
All in all this cost us $22 to make. Not too bad! You may even have several of these items at home already...even better!!
STEP 1: Create your tee pee shape, lashing around the top as you go. I also pressed the ends into the ground for more stability.
STEP 2- Wrap it. I started with one tarp and secured it with twine, I then added the other. This took me a while to get it fitting just right and ultimately it's a little "wonky" but it's sturdy and tight.
STEP 3- Decorate!
We looked up several Native American symbols and decided upon a few symbols for our tee pee.
You're done!!
Now, all that is left to do is play!
We placed ours in the yard by the fire pit, this way we can have S'more filled camp outs all summer!!
Conversation points...
*How many poles will we need to make sure this is stable?
-Try it with 3 poles, then, 4, 5, then 6 etc...
*We know there where so many different houses Native Americans used. Why do you think some made Teepee's?
-landscape?
-weather?
-customs?
What type of Native Americans home would you have like to live in?
How fun!!
In the end you and your children have gained knowledge about our country,community and history all while spending some great time together as a family, and you've built a totally cool Tee pee!
Most times we are already doing great family activities like this but forgetting that we are actually teaching our children as we go!
We would love to see pictures of your road timeline, roadtrips, and of course those tee pee's!!
Thanks and have fun!
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