Fun Links & Summer Ideas

Lately I've come across a few game sites and some other fun summer kid ideas that I feel the need to share! We all know that kids can get bored over the summer months, so here's hoping these ideas and links will help out kids of all ages! 

Whether they enjoy technology or hands on activities, hopefully there is something here for everyone. 

Enjoy! 

Summertime Fun: Pinterest Board

Highlights Kids

Watermelon Activities

Room Recess: Educational Games

Online Resources to Help Avoid the "Summer Slide"

As a teacher, one of the big frustrations at the beginning of every school year, is having to reteach skills to students that were taught to them at the previous grade level. 

While it's nice to have summers off, it really can "hurt" students in terms of the academic knowledge that can be lost. 

It's vital to let parents know the importance of reading, practicing basic math facts, etc. during the summer months. The more they engage in these type of activities, the more they'll retain. 

Below are some links with great resources, tips, and online activities to help students avoid the Summer Slide. 

Educational Games & Activities by Grade

12 Great Resources to Keep Math Skills Sharp

Help Your Kids Stop the Summer Brain Drain

48 Summer Websites for Kids & Teachers

Top 10 Tips for Summer Reading

Teachers vs. Summer

I know that like many of you I hate it when non-educators make it sound like teachers do not deserve to have the summer months off. As we all know, we put in more than a year's worth of work into 10 months' time! Many of us use the summer to plan, create new resources, work a side job, take classes, etc. 

Below are links to tips and ways to use your summer to its fullest!! While it's nice to have the time to begin preparing for the new school year, it's also important to take a break! 

I hope these links are helpful to many of you! Enjoy your Summer!!!

Top 10 To Do's for Teachers During Summer

10 Ways Teachers Can Be Productive During Summer Break

Summer Planning

Make the Most of Your Summer

Lesson Planning Fun

What Teachers Do During the Summer

Fun End of the School Year Ideas

Like many of you, our school year has less than a month to go. This is the crazy time of year where the students get restless and so do the teachers! 

There are lots of ways to incorporate new learning and yet still have fun this time of the year. I am including links to many tools and ideas to help you do so. 

Enjoy and happy planning! 

Summer Word Search

Word Scramble

End of the Year Poem

Technology Tools

End of Year Engaging Projects

Silly Sentences Game

End of School Year Link Up

Summer Reading Programs for Kids

It's so important that children of all ages continue to read over the summer months. Even if your children are not old enough to read on their own, such a my two kids, they can still benefit by being read to by someone else. 

Below are 5 different Summer Reading Programs available for kids. Most of them offer incentives such as free books or pizza for completing the goals of the programs. I know I plan to sign my kiddos up for at least a couple of these. 

Summer Smarties

As we all know, while Summer is definitely a welcome break for both teachers and students, it can also be an unwelcome one in a few ways.

Some students, sadly, dread being at home all summer long for various reasons. Also, much knowledge is often lost due to all of the "downtime" from learning.

As a mother of two very young children (ages 1 & 4), I plan to enjoy my time off this summer with my kids. I also plan to keep them learning and active in as many ways that I can, yet still have fun.

Below are some links to games, activities, resources, and ideas that you could send home with your students to help keep them engaged in learning over the Summer months.

Summer Activities Calendar

Summer Educational Activities

Fun Summer Activities for Kids

Kidzone Math

Clip Art courtesy of Discovery Education & Free ClipArt Store