Category Archives: Calendar

Special Days in August, 2018

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Shark Week

The last week of July is the official Discovery’s Shark Week! This must be a popular summer learning theme for homeschools, summer schools, and families, because there’s awesome resources available! Here’s the resource links to what is being shared in the Facebook home education groups and through my e-mail subscriptions.

Free Lesson Plans https://www.discoveryeducation.com/?s=sharks

Watch Discovery Classic Shark Week Videos (PG Rating) https://www.discovery.com/playlists/watch-shark-week-for-free

Sharks Study Resources https://www.franw.com/2016/01/sharks.html

Shark Week Journal and Printables https://homeschool.bookshark.com/sharkweek/

All About Sharks – Resources and Activities http://www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/25-shark-week-resources/

Shark Themed Resources https://themultitaskinmom.com/shark-week-resources/

Shark Week Freebies and Activities https://hiphomeschoolmoms.com/shark-week-freebies-and-activities-for-kids/

Finish this Story – Sharks http://www.blessedbeyondadoubt.com/shark-story-starters-fun-shark-week-resources/

Shark Attack Writing Prompt https://www.writersdigest.com/prompts/shark-attack

Unit Studies, Printables, Crafts, and Activities http://www.freehomeschooldeals.com/shark-week-educational-resources-free-printables-unit-studies-more/

Chalk Pastel Shark Week Art Tutorials https://www.hodgepodge.me/shark-week-art-tutorials/?fbclid=IwAR1kOndUBJDNQgO-d99kVW_ecFzye5c6aScOQoBz6xIwxoUVzsrAMTm_qKw

Fun Activities https://faithandgoodworks.com/shark-week-activities/

Crafts and Activities https://www.localfunforkids.com/crafts/2011/8/2/easy-shark-week-crafts-activities-for-kids.html

Crafts, Activities, and Recipes https://adayinourshoes.com/kids-activities-for-shark-weekfood-crafts-recipes-and-more/

betty jo

Snakes!

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“Snakes. Why’d it have to be snakes?” asks Indiana Jones, and this homeschooling mama is asking that too! I know some people who have pet snakes and enjoy them and others who have extreme fear of them. Growing up in Kentucky, I’ve even heard rumors of snake handling in churches! Personally, I’m in more of a basic “just avoid them” category. Honestly, I’d rather avoid a snake study but “July 16 – World Snake Day” was marked on our list of Special Days in July , which means it’s an interest study request. I don’t want to say no to an interest study, and it’s been a while since we did an animal research project, so …

Here’s my collection of cross curriculum snake themed resources to share with you for when you find yourself facing a snake study.

Snake Facts Slide Show

Image Gallery: Snakes of the World

Labeled Anatomy Diagrams:

Live Science Article – Why We Fear Snakes

Importance of Snakes in the Ecosystem

Snake Bite First Aid

Pet Snake Care

Bible Verses about Snakes

Snakes in Religion search results

Read Kipling’s Rikki-Tikki-Tavi

Snake Mythology

Snake Vocabulary Word List

Word Snake Game

Snake Jokes and Riddles

Printable Worksheets and Activities

Snake Unit Study and Lapbook Printables

Snakes Notebooking Printable Pages

Songs About “Snakes” (Heads up! Not all will be appropriate for families)

Snakes in Art – Statues, paintings, pottery, drawings, and more, from ancient to modern day, and from all over the world. (Again, Heads up! Not all will be appropriate for families, but you can easily choose which pieces suit your study.)

Step by Step How to Draw a Snake

25 Exceptional Snake Crafts

Printable Snakes and Ladders Game – “When you download the game, you will get a printable board and a set of question cards. With every move the player has to answer a question in order to stay on their new position. This game comes with the questions of the World of Knowledge game. But you can create your own set of questions. But you can also play it without any questions, just roll the dice and have fun!”

I couldn’t find a “snake” math resource so I’m thinking I can use some printable math task cards for the above Snakes and Ladders game.

There’s hundreds of thousands of snake related videos on Youtube and I’m sure we’ll watch a few of them. Since we’re fans of “Good Mythical Morning” I have this one saved for ‘fun?‘ and a crazy PE idea (not real snakes but maybe a rubber one or two).

I’ve already been to my local library’s website and put some snake books on the hold shelf. We don’t have a zoo in our area, but we do have nature centers and pet stores, so I think a field trip can be easily planned to wrap up our snake study.

betty jo

Special Days in July, 2018

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Click here for Special Days in July updated for 2020!

Summer Schooling – Resource and Activity List

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June 21 is the first day of summer and the start of fantastic summer time learning! Here’s a list of free cross curricular summer themed resources and activities:

Reasons for the Seasons – Ted Ed Video Lesson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DD_8Jm5pTLk

Seasons and the Sun – Crash Course Kids Video Lesson https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b25g4nZTHvM

Search your city’s sunrise/sunset times, sun distance, sun altitude, and more https://www.timeanddate.com/sun/

Day and night world map https://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/sunearth.html?iso=20180618T1406

Bible Verses for the Summer http://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/christianity/bible/bible-verses-for-the-summer.aspx

Ancient Solstice Celebrations Article http://www.kidzworld.com/article/890-summer-solstice-the-first-day-of-summer

https://www.thoughtco.com/history-of-summer-solstice-holiday-litha-2562244

“The Longest Day” Math Lesson https://www.yummymath.com/2018/the-longest-day-2/

“How Much Pee is in the Pool?” Math Lesson https://www.yummymath.com/2018/how-much-pee-is-in-that-pool-2/

Summer Theme “Would You Rather” Questions http://minds-in-bloom.com/20-would-you-rather-questions-for-2/

Sun Experiments https://www.franw.com/2016/06/experiments-you-can-do-with-sun.html

Home Remedies (these make for some good science labs when the unfortunate happens)

Testing Sunscreen Effectiveness – Science Fair Project

Pesticide and Repellent – Science Fair Projects

Make a Thermometer http://www.weatherwizkids.com/?page_id=1715

Make a Barometer http://www.weatherwizkids.com/?page_id=1745

Summer Astronomy Events, Maps, and Guides https://www.almanac.com/astronomy

Dream Vacation Writing Prompts https://writeshop.com/dream-vacation-writing-prompts/

Camping Writing Prompts https://writeshop.com/writing-prompts-about-camping/

Camps and Summer Vacation Vocabulary https://myvocabulary.com/word-list/camps-and-summer-vacation-vocabulary/

Summer Crafts and Activities https://artfulparent.com/100-summer-crafts-activities-for-kids/

Animated Shakespeare’s A Mid Summer Night’s Dream Summary https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M1wMfOwlAZ8

A Mid Summer Night’s Dream from “No Fear Shakespeare” ( Shakespeare’s language side-by-side with a facing-page translation into modern English) http://nfs.sparknotes.com/msnd

Famous Paintings of Summer http://blog.bridgemanimages.com/here-comes-the-sun-famous-paintings-of-summer/

Vivaldi’s Summer with Nature and String Instruments Music Video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xhkoUQ7HdIQ

Billboard’s Top Summer Songs https://www.billboard.com/articles/list/513566/top-30-summer-songs

ICE CREAM! ice Cream in a Bag Recipe and learn about the history of Ice Cream https://www.franw.com/2011/07/ice-cream.html

Healthy Summer Snack Recipes https://www.superhealthykids.com/30-kid-friendly-summer-snacks/

Swimming Pool Games http://www.medallionenergy.com/blog/40-swimming-pool-games-play/

DIY Backyard Games https://www.brit.co/diy-outdoor-games/

And, don’t forget about your local library! Many have special summer programs!

Happy Summer Schooling!

betty jo