4th of July Fun at Home

 

Hey guys! It's Jessica from Second Grade Nest. I am coming to you today with ideas on making 4th of July memorable for your children. From crafts to snacks to summer learning, here are some fun and exciting things that I think your children will really love. 

 Need crafty ideas?

 Are you entertaining children at your house for a 4th of July party? Want to keep the kids occupied and leave many fun memories that will stick with them? As a child, I always went to summer camp, which was filled with arts and crafts. Doing summer crafts is a fond memory of mine!

 

 (Source: Crafty Morning & Craft E Magee)

 

(Source: Kid Activities Blogs & Crafty Morning )

(Source: Mess for Less)

Teaching summer school? All year round? Want summer learning for your children?

This may not be the most popular idea to have your children working over the summer, but for those rocking moms and dads who may want to have an educational morning, these ideas are for you! Or if you are a teacher in the middle of summer school or year round school, here are a few ideas for you, too! 

Here are my fictional and nonfictional stories about Fourth of July!

 Here is Autumn's Watch, Think, Color for patriotism! This could be a fun morning activity done on the computer.

 

Or how about Vicky's $1 product that gives kids a glimpse of their country with facts? 

Need snack ideas?

This may not be teaching related, but these Pinterest finds are TOO much fun to pass up. Check these out and let us know if you plan to try any! 

  

 (Souce: Betty Crocker & Two Sisters Crafting)

(Source: DIY Ready)

Need night time activities without fireworks? 

Sparklers were about the extent of my firework abilities until the age of 16. Kids want in on the action at night, but at such a young age, they are limited to what they can do. So why not make some fun games for them to play after the sun sets so they feel like they can join in on the 4th of July nighttime fun?

(Source: Create Craft Love) 

   

(Sources: My Kids Adventure & Create for Less)

Want more summer fun? Check out my June and July Pinterest board here! 

 

 Thanks for reading! 

 

Summer Fun Ideas for Kids! Ideas to help you stay SANE and not break the bank!

Happy Summer Everyone! It's Leslie from First Grade and Flip Flops! I am super excited for summer time! I really am. I love the leisure filled days and sleeping in. Well, I kinda sleep in. I have a little one whose internal clock wakes me up at 6:30 every.single. morning!! You may have one, too, right? Haha! And if you are like me, when you wake up you may have these little eyes peering at you asking you several things...

Can I have breakfast?

Can I have pizza?

Why aren't you waking up yet?

Can I watch TV? 

Why can't so and so come over today? 

Are we going to Disney?

What are we doing today? 

And if you are like me, which most of you are since you are followers of our fabulous teaching blog, we are teachers and have families!!!

The never ending question of, "What are we doing today?"

 Last I checked I was not activities director of a cruise ship.

Haha! 

Nor am I am clown in a circus to keep my children constantly entertained! Seriously... all humour aside, in these summer months I also realize that my children cannot stay home and eat bon bons with me on the couch a la Peg Bundy either (I loved her!)!

So no fear! I have a list of low cost (no breaking the bank here! A teacher's salary in the summer can only stretch so far! ) and relatively stress free ideas to keep your kids entertained this summer! 

1. Like bowling? AMF offers FREE bowling for kids. Kids get 3 free games every day during the summer months. It's super easy (click on the AMF link I provided for you!) as you just register your kids to get a special number. My kids go at least twice a week. You do have to rent the shoes but it's minimal. Even better is to get other friends who signed up to go with you! More entertainment! 

2. Dollar Movies: Regal Cinemas offers $1 movies on certain days of the week. You'll have to check your local area to see if your theater around you offers. You cannot beat a dollar! The movies are oldies but goodies! 

3. Do you have a builder in the family? Lowes offers free workshops for kids.  You have to pre-register your child before the event. I think this weekend, June 27th there is an Avengers workshop! Check it out and hurry! 

4. Feeling crafty? Michael's offers lots of classes in the summer for your little artists! They have some cute projects on their website and some of their projects involve some inexpensive materials or materials from your home! 

5. Support your local farmers and visit the farmers markets! My kids love to go. Now that it's summer, I love to go to the market. The prices are really inexpensive. I know it is hot but it is the best time to buy those fruits and veggies that my kids love! We bought a super juicy watermelon for $3! Look how yummy! Also wanted to share a tip on how I cut it! I cut it into "sticks"! Way easier for my kids to eat! It was a nice bedtime snack!

5. Visit your local library! It's more than just books! They have movies and CD's. If you look at their schedule they have story time and sometimes special events like puppet shows or zoos that come and do exhibitions for kids! All free! 

6. Explore your city! I will be honest and say that I have lived in my little town for most of my life and there are parks I have never visited so now may be my chance to go! Or maybe there is a place in your state you've always wanted to see! 

These are just a few ideas to share with you! I just learned of the bowling one last year and I was so excited about it! I hope that our list gave you some ideas! I am sure there are so many more we could add! If you'd like to add to our list, please list that in our comments! I hope you take this summer to enjoy the time with your families and create memories to last a lifetime! 

Check back with us for more great ideas! 

Take care! 

Lots of love,

Leslie

Summertime Resources

Aloha Chalkboard friends!  It's Corinna from Surfin' Through Second.  I am so happy to be relaxing and enjoying my summer break.  I have about 6 weeks to soak up the sun and recharge before I head back to the classroom.

Some of you may still be in the classroom and looking for some resources  to finish up the year or even send home with your kids over the summer.

Have you heard about Scholastic's Summer Reading Challenge? 

They have some great incentives for you school, class and individual readers.  There are also great resources for students, parents and teachers.

Here's a freebie reading log you can send home to

help keep track of reading minutes.

Here's a great reminder for parents to help limit screen time from Your Modern Family. If you haven't checked out their site, it has some fantastic resources and articles.

Here are some great ideas for summer read-alouds.

If you are looking for some resources to send home with your 

students over the summer, here are a few options.

This summer review booklet covers 2nd grade language arts and math skills.

This booklet is geared for 1-3rd

Here are some summer reading activities to help keep kids engaged.

Are you still in the classroom and looking for some fun activities to end the year?

This Summer Bundle from the Primary Techie uses powerpoint 

presentations to keep kids focused and engaged.

If your looking for something to put you in a tropical mood you could 

always teach a little unit on Hawaii.

If you are already out of the classroom and looking for a good summer read, follow along with this book study on Teaching With Intention  hosted by The Kindergarten Smorgasboard.

Whether you are on vacation, still working or teaching summer school I hope you find some me time and power up!  

Courtesy of Discovery Education

Sweet Summer Freebie

Even though it’s beach season, some of my pals are teaching right now. So this little freebie is with them in mind. ABC order is the perfect skill to address vocabulary acquisition.
This little snippet is up in the corner of each page: “CCSS.ELA-Literacy.CCRA.L.6 I can learn new words (general, academic, and domain specific). Knowing these words helps me with my reading, writing, speaking, and listening. This will help me get ready for college or my career.”
Of course I am going to be using this baby my first week back as well !(13 more days until school starts). Until then, I am sleeping in, working out, poolside, beach combing, and sweet tea drinking!

Hop on over to my blog to grab this little baby!

The ABCs of Summer...for Teachers

Happy Summer, friends! It's Laura from Peace, Love, and First Grade!

I'm here to share with you a little summer fun.

The ABCs of Summer...for Teachers!

Hope you enjoy!

Juice+

Stitch Fix

Have a fun week!

Laura