Summer Work! Are you kidding Mrs. Perrien?

Parents-

It's been a week.  Your kids are home every day, playing outside, playing games, watching TV, arguing, and even telling you they're bored.

Gasp...!

If they're not bored yet, they will be soon!  So, what recommendations does Mrs. Perrien have for summer work?

1.  The Perrien kids each do a summer math workbook.  I buy these at Barnes and Noble.  The kids do 2 pages per day.  (Well, at least Abby.  Evelyn's work is advanced enough that she uses her online math textbook and reviews weak areas.)  These are done first thing in the morning after breakfast.

2.  Abby also does Moby Math each week--the same 30 minute weekly requirement is in place for the summer.

3.  Read.  http://www.whatshouldireadnext.com

4.  Play outside!  The Perrien girls have even gone to Grandpa's house to swim and care for his chickens.  Grandpa just had surgery, the girls helped me feed and water his chickens in return for pool time.  Chickens are hilarious!

5.  We are growing a nice vegetable garden this year.  I've planted cucumbers, peppers, squash, and tomatoes.  Combine that with our berries and asparagus and we're doing okay!  We've already been dealing with ninja bunnies (Fence?  What fence?) and the girls have helped me research how to get around these challenging creatures.

I'm sure there's more you do with your kiddos in the summer.  Aside from day trips to the beach, the zoo, and the Meijer gardens what else do you do for fun and education?

Mrs. Perrien

What to do this summer?

Activities to beat summer boredom:

• Take a walk.
• Teach your child a new sport: golf, tennis, basketball, volleyball, etc.
• Play with your pets!
• Research something new and different--visit the library or go online!
• Learn to play a new board game or card game.  Last summer we taught our girls to play Rummy.  It's a fun family game!
• Teach your son or daughter how to cook a few easy dishes, or better yet, teach them to cook some of the family favorites.
• Limit television viewing (!)
• Ride your bicycle (Wear a helmet!)
• Play family games--Sorry, Monopoly, Uno, ...these are all great fun!
• Go to a movie! (I use BoxOfficeMom for kid friendly movie recommendations.)
• Spend a day at the beach
• Pick strawberries, blueberries, green beans...whatever is ready this summer and U-pick
• Visit the Farmer's Market
• Plant a summer vegetable or herb garden (This is so much fun!)
• Go to the Ionia Free Fair (July 18-27, 2013)
• Great day trips:  Frederik Meijer Gardens, Grand Rapids Public Museum, John Ball Zoo, Binder Park Zoo, the Detroit Zoo.
• Visit the Air Zoo in Kalamazoo
• The Grand Rapids Picnic Pops are well worth the 45 minute drive! It's a great family evening.
• Visit Lansing and tour the state capitol, plus tour the Michigan History Museum.  I've done this tour many times and it never ceases to fascinate me.  I'm proud to be from the state of Michigan!
• Finally, how about camping?  I am a confirmed "hotel camper" meaning it's where I'd rather be.  However, I can appreciate an evening here and there, sleeping in a tent, sitting around a campfire, and getting to tell my children stories of their family's history.

No matter what, be sure to enjoy every moment of summer, it really goes so fast!

More on Preventing the Summer Slide

The following link takes you to a nice handout on preventing the summer reading slide.  Great ideas are in this handout!

http://blog.maketaketeach.com/preventing-the-summer-slide/

--Mrs. Perrien

Summer Reading Oppportunities

Parents-

I had a nice conversation with your children yesterday about the absolute need for students to read throughout the summer.

Here are a few reasons why summer reading is so important:

http://www.scholastic.com/parents/resources/article/developing-reading-skills/three-ways-to-prevent-summer-slide

http://www.rif.org/us/literacy-resources/summer-reading-slide.htm

*The summer reading slide is a very real problem!  Please help keep your child growing as a reader by reading with them, or providing opportunities for lots of books over the summer.  There are several ways to go about making sure your student stays a summer reader.

• Check out Herrick District Library!  They are offering a summer reading program and also activities to keep your child learning in many different ways.  Their summer reading program begins almost immediately.  Go to:  http://herrickdl.org/FilesCustom/HTMLEditor/Files/SRP2013kidscalendar.pdf.
• Barnes and Noble also offers a summer reading program that culminates in a free book!  Students were sent home with a record sheet for keeping track of books, but you can print a new one here if needed:  http://www.barnesandnoble.com/u/summer-reading/379003570/
• Allow your child to read different types of material in the summer.  This could include reading graphic novels, comic books, magazines (Sports Illustrated for Kids or Muse), new and different genres, etc.  
• Require a set reading time each day.  Why should this be any different just because it's summer?  Before bed, after lunch, after dinner...these are all great times to relax and read a good book!  30 minutes per day is a good, round number.
• Allow your child to do some computer reading.  Before we travel in the summer I ask that my girls research our vacation destination.  They write down ideas for our trip, places to eat, things to do, etc.  All the while they are READING about our destination! 

Please let me know if you have questions about summer reading, or need book suggestions.  Right away, I always recommend that kids try the following websites when looking for their next book:

What Should I Read Next?

Twitter update

Waukazoo now has its own Twitter account!  To follow Waukazoo, go to @WaukazooWO.

Remember, Mrs. Perrien is also on Twitter,  otherwise known as AbbysMom, go to @MusingsofAbby!

Last Day of School Celebration

Parents-

Friday, June 7 is a half-day of school.  This day the students have traditionally celebrated with their classmates.  It's our last day together as one group before some move on to new schools and new adventures.

We are planning on continuing this tradition, with one change.  I would like to have YOU join us for an ice cream party in the classroom on the last day of school!  I will supply the ice cream, but I ask that our 4th grade parents help supply the toppings as a way to celebrate our 5th grade graduates!

4th Grade Parents:  if you're willing and able, please sign up to donate a topping or supplies for our ice cream party.  See the following link:

Ice Cream Party Fixins'

On the last day of school, all parents are invited to join us at 11:00 a.m. for our ice cream sundae bar.  It'll be a fabulous way to send off our 5th graders!

Fun and Creative Idea

Do you love Hudsonville Ice Cream?  Have you ever dreamed of designing your own flavor?

This could be a great activity for your kids!  check it out...

http://hudsonvilleicecream.com/puremichigan/