By Mary Hill
 |
| http://www.funnypostpartumlady.org/ |
 |
| http://judyh-jsthoughts.blogspot.com/ http://www.clairejustineoxox.com/ |
Theme: Summer Time Fun
Funny Postpartum Lady is once again sponsoring her Monday Mingle hop, and this hop also ties in with another one sponsored by Claire at http://www.clairejustineoxox.com/ and Judy at http://judyh-jsthoughts.blogspot.com/. I like joining these hops as well. They wants us to share our summer photos or talk about what we are doing this summer. I am writing poetry and creative essays as well as working on a novel.
For summer fun, I am spending time with my daughter. She has been busy so far this summer because she made our county’s All Star softball team. So our summer is off to a slow start. That is why I have had so much time to work on my writing. I have been playing around with a poem that is in transition. Here it is as my contribution to the Monday Mingle and Creative Mondays. Hope you enjoy.
For summer fun, I am spending time with my daughter. She has been busy so far this summer because she made our county’s All Star softball team. So our summer is off to a slow start. That is why I have had so much time to work on my writing. I have been playing around with a poem that is in transition. Here it is as my contribution to the Monday Mingle and Creative Mondays. Hope you enjoy.
Ode to the Beginning of Summer
By Mary Hill
A few Summer s ago the season came in
With the humming of millions
Of cicadas who come out only every 13 years.
This year, Summer came in on a whisper of the wind
Cool evenings and cooler than normal days
Most of which have been rain-filled and misty.
For now, I enjoy the quiet, the sweet cool air
and evening rain.
I wonder when the dogs days of summer will start to bark
Their hot breath spreading over the land?
With the fireworks of celebrating the birth of our country?
Or with the start of the last month of summer
When our kids meander back to school after a summer way to short.
As I look to the start of a new week, I know that I have to get organized to make this a successful summer for my daughter. Creating learning opportunities during the summer is critical to keep your child off the “summer slide.” This slide is not something you find in a playground, but it refers to the loss of knowledge our children suffer from duirng the summer. Here is a more complete article describing the summer slide: http://www.rif.org/us/literacy-resources/articles/keeping-kids-off-the-summer-slide.htm
I have so many goals that I’d like to share; only because they might give you ideas. I also want to hear from you about the ideas or activities you are doing with your kids so they don’t suffer from the summer slide. Learning shouldn’t stop because school is out. It is our job as mothers to help our children gain in their learning experiences so that they don’t suffer from the “slide.” Here are some tips that I have gleaned from the Internet:
Getting Organized
 |
| http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/summer-reading-2013 |
- Visit your local library and join their summer reading program. In South Carolina, our reading program is sponsored by the SC State Library. My state theme is “Dig into Reading.” Every week my local library is having special programming aimed at getting kids to read.
- Find out your state’s learning standards for the grade for which your child was promoted. Officals with the South Carolina Department of education has made it easy for parents to find standards for their child’s grade by visiting this webpage entitled: Family Friendly Standards. How do you find your state standards? Start with Bing or Google and type in the name of your state, for example Michigan; and then type in learning standards or core curriculum standards. I found this site for Michigan by doing this simple search: http://www.michiganplt.org/standards.htm Additionally I found this guide for parents that is easier to follow: http://www.michigan.gov/documents/mde/what_is_my_child_learning_370127_7.pdf
- Once you know what your child is expected to learn during the next school term, visit the library and find subject related non-fiction and encourage them to read it. You can make up a trivia game that you can play with your child. As your child learns and grows you can reward them by keeping a chart. “What I have Learned this Summer.” Have different levels and rewards for reaching them. I will be posting more on this later.
- Also don’t forget a lot of bloggers have posted a lot of great ideas for summer activities. A good example can be found Mama’s Bugs and Beans. Here are some other links to blog posts for summer learning:
- http://www.renweb.com/Blog/EntryId/363/Summer-Activities-for-Kids.aspx
- http://pinterest.com/melissa_taylor2/summer-activities-with-kids/
- http://imaginationsoup.net/2013/06/3-essentials-to-get-kids-reading-over-the-summer/
- http://imaginationsoup.net/2013/06/new-picture-books-for-summer-reading-2013/
- http://imaginationsoup.net/2013/05/new-apps-for-summer-learning/
Summer is supposed to be a fun time; so, keep the learning time to about one hour and make it exciting and adventurous. What are some of your summer learning plans for your children? Please share.
Love the Dig into Reading- Our library is doing the same thing. And the blog hops look fun- will chack them out.
I am having problems with blogger …..not showing up who I am following,then just the name.
will get to you when I can.
Yvonne.
Cool summers can be nice, love the poem. Also enjoy reading about you spending time with your daughter. Nice post today Mary.
Newest GFC follower from Monday Mingling! Thanks for co-hosting.
-Kay
California DIY Diva
Thanks so much for following. 🙂