June Week 3 | An Idea for Every Day

(Updated 4/18/2022.)

This is it: the week of my birthday. It’s funny how when we get older, birthdays don’t mean as much. It’s just another number, another year, another day. But it does provide an opportunity to reflect. The first time I felt a loss to my youth was on my thirtieth birthday when reminded I was no longer a “twenty-something.” Then again as Harry Potter hit its 20^th anniversary. Seriously, how has it been that long!?! Time passes so much faster as an adult. What makes you feel time’s speed?

Check out the line-up we have for you this week (click each link to jump to details about that day):

1. Flag Day (6.14.2020)
2. Electricity Day (6.15.2020)
3. Fresh Veggies Day (6.16.2020)
4. World Croc Day (6.17.2020)
5. International Picnic Day (6.18.2020)
6. Pets in Film Day (6.19.2020)
7. Summer Solstice (6.20.2020)

And remember, we’re serving it to you several ways. Choose what works best for you.

• June Calendar: An at your fingertip reminder of what days are approaching with clickable links to the activities.
• Weekly Posts - Detail rich with bonus ideas. 
• Subscribe to get them delivered right to your inbox (Submit your email in field on the side panel.)
• Browse the latest weekly posts (ideas never expire):
• June 7^th – June 13^th
• May 31st - June 6th 
• May 24th - May 30th
• May 17th - May 23rd
• Extra Ideas - Pinterest

And now, without further ado, check out these ideas we’ve stewed on for you.

Sunday, June 14, 2020 – Flag Day

Photo courtesy of Sharefaith via Pexels.

We celebrate Flag Day on June 14^th because, according to this History.com post, on this day in 1777 we officially adopted our nation’s flag. Before then, each regiment marched into war with their own version of the United States flag. Doesn’t sound very ‘united,’ does it? Our flag’s birthday, June 14, 1777, was also the U.S. Army’s second birthday. So, when we celebrate Flag Day, we’re really commemorating two patriotic events.

To celebrate, you might:

• Join a virtual “Capture the Flag” game on discord or Google.
• View National Flag Day Foundation’s program via their website, Facebook, or YouTube.

Try some of these ideas from Social Moms, like:

•  Hosting a festive food cookout. We recommend you check out:
• Food Network for “6 Star-Spangled Red, White Blue Recipes Tailor-Made for Flag Day.” Our favorite: “Star Studded Berry Tarts.”
• Family Fresh Meals, where you’ll learn how to make a “Taco Salad Flag.”
• Crafting. We think:
• How to Homeschool My Child has a great selection of Flag Day activities including making a paper chain flag and learning proper flag-folding techniques.
•  DLTK-Kids is a rich resource for Flag Day Themed crafting and learning. The craft we’d do: the “Fourth of July Lantern.”
• Learning the history.
• United States Flag Store’s, “Evolution of the American Flag,” post (a Social Mom’s suggestion)
• Hey! Guess What’s “What is Flag Day? Flag Day Facts for Kids,”  YouTube Video (suggestion ours).

Monday, June 15, 2020 – Electricity Day

Electricity is so vital in our lives, it’s nearly impossible to imagine where we might be without it. The experiments we’ve rounded up for you include a look at various types of electricity. Check them out.

With Science Bob, your PreK-1 learners will race cans while learning about static electricity. All you’ll need is an empty soda can, a balloon, and a head of hair. Race over to Science Bob and set the cans a-rollin’.

Have your Second to Third Grade learners craft a coin battery out of pennies. One thing I’ve discovered this year: a battery can be crafted from so many different materials! Even so, this is the first time I’ve heard of a coin battery.  Using pennies, paper towels, lemon juice, sandpaper, tape, an LED light, time, and attention to detail, your learner will soon have a small, portable battery with which they may light up their lives.

Invite your Fourth to Sixth Grade learners to choose from a list of projects from Sciencing.com. Ideas such as: comparing lightbulbs, creating a lemon battery, completing a circuit, and experimenting with static electricity.

Each one of these invitations to learn about electricity is sure to spark thinking in your learner.

Tuesday, June 16, 2020 – Fresh Veggies Day

Photo courtesy of Lukas via pexels.

Does the fight of getting your learner to eat veggies rage in your household? If so, maybe you’ll be able to pique their interest in fresh veggies with one of these activities:

Have your Preschool or Kindergarten learner create the Real Mr. Potato Head with fresh veggies, toothpicks, and these ideas from Green Owl Art. If you’re looking for a way to make fruits and veggies approachable, we’re thinking this may just be it!

Get your First to Third Grade learner busy in the kitchen making veggie pizza with a recipe courtesy of The Educator’s Spin on It. Also included with the recipe: a veggie book list.  Check out the books from this list we found digitally:

• Oliver’s Vegetables by Vivian French (read aloud by Mrs. Ramm via YouTube)
• From Seed to Plant by Gail Gibbons via Open Library or hoopla
• Up, Down, and Around by Katherine Ayers via YouTube by Katherine Ayers
• The Vegetables We Eat by Gail Gibbons via Hoopla Read Along by Dreamscape OR (YouTube read aloud by Ready Read Alouds)
• Growing Vegetable Soup by Lois Ehlert via Open Library (YouTube read aloud by Dr. Weeks Elementary)

Make your 4^th-6^th learner  take on more responsibility by planning and cooking the dinnertime vegetables for a week. We like this meal planner from Squawk Fox because of its simplicity, use of bright colors, and designated fields for grocery lists, inventory check, and daily slots for breakfast, lunch and dinner.  It’s ideal for teaching your learner the procedure of recording their vegetable choices, checking it against inventory, and making a grocery list - all in the convenience of one piece of paper.

For vegetable inspiration while planning the week’s menu, we recommend directing your learner to Yummy Toddler Food’s “Master List of Vegetable Recipes for Kids.” Yes, it’s true that the site is called “Yummy Toddler Food.” Yes, it’s also true the list says, “for kids.” However, when we browsed the list, we found some recipes we wanted to try like, stuffed skillet peppers, broccoli tots, and sesame maple green beans. The “Master List of Vegetable Recipes for Kids,” is also categorized by vegetable; yet another win when vegetable dish planning. Between the planning tool (by Squawk Fox) and the vegetable recipe list (from Yummy Toddler Food), we think you’re setting your learner up for a week of vegetable-cooking success.

After reflecting on these ideas, we’ve developed a new appreciation for vegetables. We're seeing them as art, learning more about them, and feeling inspired to take on a new dish. What about you? How will you celebrate Fresh Veggies Day?

Wednesday, June 17, 2020 – World Croc Day

Photo courtesy of miniformat65 via pixabay.

“Tick Tock Croc,” “Crocodile Dundee,” “Brutus and Nero,” and “The Crocodile Hunter.” Each of these names hint at a shared fascination with crocodiles. A fascination with which we agree.  I mean, don’t sign us up for crocodile adoption just yet; we prefer admiring these creatures from a healthy distance - as God intended. However, as we find them fascinating, we’re thinking there’s a good chance your learner might as well, and hope they’ll enjoy these activities we hunted up for them.

With your Preschool to First grade learner, might we suggest a crocodile book and paired craft, complements of Craft Play Learn and Easy Peasy and Fun, respectively? Of the crocodile books listed at Craft Play Learn, we found the following digital versions:

• Lyle, Lyle, Crocodile by Bernard Waber via Open Library
•  How to Hide a Crocodile by Ruth Heller via Open Library
• The Christmas Crocodile by Bonny Becker via YouTube read aloud by Storytime with Mrs. Baldwin.
•  Open Very Carefully: A Book with Bite! By Nick Bromley and Nicola O’Byrne a YouTube read aloud by Give us a Story!
• Easter Croc POP UP by Roger Priddy a YouTube read aloud by Chateaugay Elementary Library Campbell
• The Enormous Crocodile by Roald Dahl via Open Library (YouTube read aloud by Storyvision Studios UK)

Of the above books, Open Very Carefully: A Book with a Bite! would be our choice for younger learners and The Enormous Crocodile, our choice for older learners.

After your book reading, it’s time to check out the crocodile crafts from Easy Peasy and Fun. We’d choose the paper bag puppet for younger learners, and the paper crocodile craft for older learners. Both options include a supply list, printable template, and easy-to-follow directions.

For your Second to Third Grade learners, we present a comparison opportunity: real life crocs to Tick Tock Croc. Using Student Handout's Venn Diagram, Science Kids’ article featuring fun crocodile facts, a YouTube clip of “Tick Tock Croc” in Peter Pan (uploaded by The Calcialo 69), and their own observations and critical thinking skills, leaners will compare and contrast a fictional crocodile to a real crocodile.  After finishing the Venn Diagram, extend the activity by having them write a comparison sentence, paragraph, or list of modification suggestions to make “Tick Tock Croc” more realistic without altering his role in the clip.

And, with Fourth to Sixth Grade learners in mind, we challenge them to convince us: Is a crocodile a dinosaur? To form a strong argument, they must first understand what a crocodile is and why anyone would think it’s a dinosaur. To aid them in this endeavor, we point them to the Kiddle article, “Crocodile Facts for Kids.” At Kiddle, they’ll uncover basic crocodile facts such as background information, a brief description, a list of differentiating features between alligators and crocodiles, and a compilation of crocodile pictures.

The Thought Co. article, “How Do Crocodiles Resemble Their Dinosaur Cousins?: Let’s Take a Look at the Ways They Do and Don’t,” reveals facts to support both sides of the debate. Facts such as, “toward the middle of the Cretaceous period, some South American crocodiles had begun to imitate their dinosaur cousins by evolving to enormous sizes,” and “prehistoric crocodiles…survive[d] the K-T extinction event that wiped the dinosaurs off the face of the earth 65 million years ago.”

 From here, it’s up to them: will they argue that the crocodile is or is not a dinosaur? After choosing their side, give them this “Plan to Persuade” template from The Curriculum Corner. We like this one due to its straightforward outline. It includes space to think through the topic, opinion statement, three reasons (with supporting evidence), and conclusion sentence in a streamlined format. Whichever side your learner takes, we think a compelling crocodile case is in your future.

And now, we humbly ask, how do you think croc learning will fare with your learners? Will it receive a wide-toothy grin or a rapid, water retreat? We’re hoping for the first, but after learning some facts, wouldn’t be surprised to hear it’s the last. One thing’s for sure, these animals definitely demand a heavy dose of respect.

Thursday, June 18, 2020 – International Picnic Day

Photo courtesy of Britt Gaiser via Unsplash.

Maybe picnics are already a routine for you; you are a master in the art of picnicking. If so, we hope you still might find some new ideas here. If picnicking is not a regular habit among you and yours, we hope these resources give you the confidence to give it a go.

For planning tips, we like How Does She’s post on “Simple Kid-Friendly Picnic Favorites.” With suggestions from freezing oranges to hosting a picnic dip and roll, we think you’ll plan a few picnics just to try out some of these kid-friendly tips.

Picnic plans settled, Let Thy Food will help you prepare for picnic spontaneity. You’ll find 10 tips toward making your picnic a success. We find the most practical tip is four, which describes keeping a bag ready to go and the most enjoyable tip is laughter. Agree to enjoy the moment, no matter what. For more detail on each step, be sure to stop by Let Thy Food.

You’re planned and prepared. All that’s left: to have your picnic. And, if your picnic could use some added entertainment, Noshing with the Nolands has a list of the “Best Picnic Games.”  We especially like the sound of the picnic basket race; the combination of clean-up and competition sounds like a win-win to us.

With these tips now part of your picnicking repertoire, we sense more picnics in your future. Whether spontaneous or planned, picnics bring bonding, fresh air, food, and fun, which when combined add up to a recipe for lasting memories.

Friday, June 19, 2020 – Pets in Film Day

This Photo licensed under CC BY-NC-ND

Watching and discussing films with learners is one of our favorite things to do. The learner generally enjoys watching movies, which provide good discussion fodder, and it’s an easy activity to plan. All the leader must do is choose the movie, prepare the snacks, enjoy the movie, and lead a discussion. In the hopes of making it even easier on you, we’re here to help you with parts one and three.

To assist in movie selection, we’ve sorted Time Out’s recommended best animal and pet titles for kids by streaming service:

•  Hulu Plus
• Beethoven (Rated PG)
• Babe (Rated G)
• Balto (Rated G)
• Tubi
• The Adventures of Milo and Otis (Rated G)
• Disney Plus
• Lady and the Tramp (Rated G)
• Old Yeller (Rated G)
• 101 Dalmatians (Rated G)
• The Aristocats (Rated G)
• The Fox and the Hound (Rated G)
• Homeward Bound: The Incredible Journey (Rated G)
• Ice Age (Rated PG)

Which movie will you watch? We’d choose The Adventures of Milo and Otis, a favorite childhood movie that we would love sharing with our learner. After you watch the movie, while enjoying your snacks, it’s time to discuss. The direction of the discussion really is up to you, but here are several suggestions to get you started:

1.   Opinion conversations:
• Who was your (favorite, least favorite, most relatable, etc.) character?
• Which scene was… your favorite? Least favorite? One you’d like to step into?
2.  Comparison conversations:
• Name another story (book or movie) like this one. How are they the same? Different?
• Think about what you already know about (animal in movie). How does this movie reflect what you already knew to be true of (featured animal)? How is it different than what you know about (featured animal)?
3. Creative conversations:
•  How would the movie be different if it were a (replace featured pet/animal with a different one, i.e. elephant instead of a dog).
• What if you woke up as (choose a character)?
4. Evaluative conversations:
•  If you were to (write your own story/make your own movie) what can you take from this movie to improve your (story/movie)? Consider any feature: dialogue, music, emotions, story details, twists, etc.
•  If this were your (story/movie) what one thing would you (write/film) differently?
5.  Argumentative conversations:
• Would (the featured animal) make a good pet for our household? (Each person in the discussion takes an opposing viewpoint).
• Was every decision the main character made the right one? Why or why not? (Each person in the discussion takes an opposing viewpoint).

After the official conversation ends, we hope it resurfaces in the upcoming days. And, we consider it a real win when your learner asks to discuss a movie with you of their own volition.

Saturday, June 20, 2020 – Summer Solstice

It’s the official first day of summer! Put on that sunscreen and soak up some rays to celebrate. Then, maybe run through a sprinkler (or two). In the Wolfe Stew household, we love summer because of fewer obligations, more grilling opportunities, camping trips, and outdoor waterplay (sprinklers, water balloons, slip and slides, etc.) What about you? What do you love about summer?

 

Before You Go,

We’d Love to Know:

1. Which activity most interests you?
2. What other ideas do you have to add to any of these days?

 

Until next time, leaders, know we’re praying that you find the JOY in every day.

At Your Service,

Interested in even more educational resources?  Then stop by our Learning Lab.  It's here where we store all the educational resources we've cooked up to date.