I agree!

PoraOra

Here is another virtual education game that I promised.  You will need parent permission.  This game is not only fun but will work on math, reading, language, and geography skills!

Click on the link below to get started:

http://www.poraora.com/

Happy 4th of July!!!

For the Girls ;)

Here is a great list of books for the girls.

http://www.amightygirl.com/mighty-girl-picks/top-read-alouds

Five Finger Rule

I thought this was a great way for you to be able to choose your own books that suite your independent reading ability.  Follow the picture of the hand and grab a book that you are reading or would like to read to see if it is a good match for your reading skills.

Wise Words......

Online Magazine

National Geographic for Kids has a great online website that offers nature videos, games, stories and more.

Check it out!

http://kids.nationalgeographic.com/kids/

Father's Day Gift Ideas

Father's Day card


The You and I book


Father's Day gift box...put all of dad's favorites in the decorated box


Homemade BBQ sauce

http://innerchildfun.com/2012/06/fathers-day-gift-kids-can-make.html

Bookmark


http://blog.mpmschoolsupplies.com/4020/fathers-day-round-up-silly-photo-bookmarks/

Reading Fort

I thought this was a really cool idea.  Find a spot around the house or outside and create your own reading sanctuary.

Free Smart Apps!

Top 65 FREE Apps!

Click on the following link:

http://www.smartappsforkids.com/top-10-free-apps-1.html

Venus Crosses the Sun

If you didn't get a chance to see Venus crossing paths with the Sun, read this article from Scholastic News.

http://www.scholastic.com/browse/article.jsp?id=3757321

Great Games

Here are some fun games that will also help with reading and vocabulary skills!

                               

               
Blurt!
Good vocabulary builder, great opportunity to talk about multiple meaning words and build background knowledge.










Name 5
Good game for the older game player.  Recreate rules to make it less confusing for younger players.  Great for building background knowledge.

Rhyme -n- Tyme
Good vocabulary builder, great opportunity to talk about spelling patterns.












Boggle
Good vocabulary builder
Increases awareness of spelling patterns











Scattergories
Good vocabulary builder,
EXCELLENT for building background knowledge











Banagrams and Appleletters
Good word building game, provides opportunities to discuss spelling patterns and introduce new vocabulary, to use to enhance learning

Barnes and Noble Summer Reading

Our locale Barnes and Noble store is hosting a summer reading challenge!  I am attaching a reading journal that you are to fill out with any 8 books you read this summer.  If you fill out the journal with the books you've read between May 22nd and September 4th, you can bring in the journal for a FREE book of choice! 

Click on the link to print out your reading journal:

http://img1.imagesbn.com/pimages/kids/summerreading/2012/bnsummertearpad.pdf

Grant Park Public Library

The Grant Park Library is hosting a summer reading challenge.  A note went home with your student last week explaining the details.  If you need more information, please contact the library.  Sounds like there are some great prizes for the ones who read the most over summer break!


http://www.grantpark-il.org/Library.html

Educational Video Games

After some discussions with students, a main hobby that most share is a love for video games.  I was not sure how I felt about his favorite pass-time activity.  I did a little research and found some interesting insight to what educators are calling "serious gaming".  Serious gaming is a way to motivate students through technology while incorporating core subjects such as reading, math, science, and social studies.  I have found one that I would like you and your student to test out.  This educational video game is in the form of a graphic novel that includes math skills to solve the game.  Lure of the Labyrinth is aligned to the Common Core Standards that you can find on the website to review.

Click on the following link to play the game:

http://lureofthelabyrinth.net

Click on the following link to review the Common Core Standards:

http://lureofthelabyrinth.net/resources/content/StandardsTables_LsnPlnAlignment-1-1.pdf

Enjoy!

Myths, Folktales, & Fairy Tales

Happy Monday!  Here is the site of the day.  Make sure to try to create your own myth.

http://teacher.scholastic.com/writewit/mff/index.htm

Vocabulary Motivation

Create your own motivational poster with vocabulary words.  Click on the following link to start poster making!

http://wigflip.com/automotivator/

You Are Your Words

This is a great site to check out.  You first write 400 words about yourself.  Write about your likes, dislikes, hobbies, etc.  When you are done upload a picture of yourself.  You will end up with an awesome picture made up of the words you wrote.  Try it and let me know what you think. :)

http://www.youareyourwords.com/

Summer Reading Challenge

Click on the following link to get started on your Summer Reading Challenge.  I am encouraging you all to try to log your reading minutes everyday.  Each day that you log your reading minutes, you can play games, create your avatar, and update your profile!  Have fun!!!

http://www.scholastic.com/summer/kids

Summer Book Lists

Here are a few links for you and your reader to check out.  They will bring you to sites that will list books of interest for their summer reading pleasure.  Enjoy!

Great Summer Reads for Your Middle School

http://www.scholastic.com/resources/booklist/great-summer-reads-for-your-middle-schooler/

Baseball Books

http://www.scholastic.com/resources/booklist/baseball-books-for-middle-schoolers/

The Wonder of Science Books

http://www.scholastic.com/resources/booklist/the-wonders-of-science-books/

Coming-of-Age Classics

http://www.scholastic.com/resources/booklist/coming-of-age-classics/

Beach Blanket Books

http://www.scholastic.com/resources/booklist/beach-blanket-books/

Books Guaranteed to Make You Laugh

http://www.scholastic.com/resources/booklist/books-guaranteed-to-make-you-laugh/