Summer is coming up and most students are ready to sleep late and watch television. However, learning does not have to stop just because schools are closed. Each year I look for summer ideas and activities to share with my parents. It is important to supply children with fun educational learning over the two months of summer vacation.
While carrying out my search this year, I found a wonderful idea for a summer backpack. Like most discoveries, I took the idea and adapted it to fit my liking. The core of this project came from the May issue of Teaching PreK-8 magazine.
Each child in the class is supplied with a summer activity kit. The article suggested supplying each child with a backpack or storage bag. For my purposes a grocery bag is used. The bags are much cheaper and are easily accessible for me.
Each bag contains the following materials:
Design pencils
Notebook/notepad
A book list to check out from the library
An information sheet about the grade they will be attending
Word and math flash cards
Stickers
Crayons
Scissors
Ruler
Maps (can be obtained for free by calling state information
centers)
Disposable camera
A list of skills to stay refreshed on throughout the summer
Travel game ideas
License plate searches
Eye Spy games
Rhyming and Alphabet song games- “I’m going on a trip…”
A letter reminding students and parents to keep a journal about
their summer and to read everyday
The articles suggested sending home a note and asking parents to send in some of the supplies. This late in the year we have had a lot of activities, I hate to ask parents for more. At the beginning of next school year, I will add these items to my wish list and save them until the end.
I feel that sending items home may gain the attention of some parents that otherwise would not carry out any activities with their children.
More Summer Ideas
Keep Your Kids Busy this Summer by Starting an Activities Co-Op
Five Summer Activities To Do With Your Kids