Adapted from a Chicago City Parks & Rec activity recommendation (used with permission) See a familiar outdoor setting with new eyes as you and your child pretend to be aliens on a mission to explore our planet and report back to
Poetry Puzzle
Adapted with permission from Chicago Park District’s “Once Upon a Day Camp” Guide Read selections from an anthology like The Rattle Bag and compare the word choices of the authors from different eras. How has the English language changed over time? What
Summer Reading Recommendations for the “Body Smart” Child
All ages: Wilma Unlimited: How Wilma Rudolph Became the World's Fastest Woman. By Kathleen Krull. The story of Wilma Rudolph, the prematurely born black child who, despite suffering from polio, became the first woman to win three Olympic gold medals.
Cultural Care Package
I don’t know how it is in your house, but at our house, getting something in the snail mail box is always a thrill for my kids. I must admit, I was the same way when I was young. I
Summer Reading Recommendations for the “Picture Smart” Child
All Ages: Books by Laurence Anholt, who penned several children's books about famous artists including Monet, Degas, Picasso and van Gogh. Books by David Macaulay, whose books have won numerous awards and honors including the Caldecott Medal, about different kinds
Animal Antics
Watch a short documentary or TV show about animals (e.g. Meerkat Manor or Wild Kingdom) with the sound off. After it’s over, talk about what your child thought was happening during the episode and the “characters” each animal played. Replay
Boredom Buster Board Games
Whether you choose a perennial favorite or a newer version, your interpersonal child will enjoy keeping their math skills sharp over the summer by playing math-based board games with family and friends. From oldies but goodies like Monopoly, Parcheesi, Cribbage
Scripted Summer
If your child cringes at the thought of summer reading lists, try having him/her read screenplays with you from some movie favorites instead on http://www.imsdb.com/genre/Family. (Or, if your child is still an early or pre-reader, read a few scenes from
Make It Your Mission! Part 1 in a Series
This month, we’ll be focusing in on helping your kids develop their own personal “mission statements” and weaving together the intelligences via a multitude of activities as you help your kids pursue their missions. So, we’ve added a new blog
Forces of Nature
Inspired by 200+ Active Learning Strategies by James A. Bellanca Play some nature-based music (we recommend trying some of George Winston’s Seasons based piano solos from the early 1980s on YouTube). Have your child pretend to be either the forces