Wednesday, June 24, 2009

The Summer is Here!

Here are some helpful ideas to fill in those long summer days.

1. Start some type of collection - Bugs are everywhere and once properly dried can be collected, marbles of every color and shape, coins or whatever interest them.

2. Record and catalog information - What type of birds they have spotted, wild flowers or animals. There is not enough science in schools and what better way to learn than from hands on experience.

3.
Visit the Zoo - But don’t just walk through it and you’re done. Sit and draw the animals, figure out what they’re doing. Research where the animals came from and what do they eat. Have each child pick an animal to research and go back and visit the animal that their interested in several times. Try to come up with ways to raise money for that animal.

4. Visit the Museum -
* Art museum - Have them pick one of their favorite pieces of art and research the artist. Where did they come from and what other works of art are they known for?
*
History museum - Research their favorite part of history and share what information they have learned. Build a model of that part of history.
*
Science Museum - Find something that interest them in this area and have them research it. Build a machine or model of their interest.

5. Go to the park - Pack a picnic lunch, invite some friends and have fun.

6.
Go fishing - Dust off that old fishing pole and take them fishing. Learn the different types of fish that they could catch. What types of bait to use. Don’t forget that fishing license.

7. Go biking - Pack a small backpack with water, snacks, and drinks.

8. Go hiking - Hit those trails and start walking. Find some trails that you’ve never been on before.

9.
Study the architecture for buildings and walk around town. Take photos or draw the different designs. Research who came up with those ideas and are those designs still used today.

10.
Go to the American Corners - They have many great things going on all summer long. And they usually have Air Conditioning on those very hot summer days.

11. Work on a skit or play with your neighborhood kids. Plan out a stage and costumes and invite the rest of the neighborhood for the production.

12. Go to the
farmers market to see all the vendors and fresh produce.

13.
Do community service work - Pick up litter in a park, work in a shelter serving food, or contact someone to find out where they would need help that the whole family could get involved in.

14.
Visit the elderly in homes; make cards for them and fresh cookies.

15. Teach them how to
cook and bake. Great learning experience is measuring and following the instruction on a recipe. The greatest reward is eating what you made!

16.
Journals - Have them write down there thoughts, feelings, and experiences. Keep them in the habit of writing.

17.
Write letters to friends and family. Especially if they don’t have email and send those wonderful works of art that are usually over flowing in your own home.

18.
Play a game - There are so many great board games and lots of physical games.

19.
Clean the house or organize a room. The kids love it when they make a list of what has to be cleaned. Each child loves writing down their name next to the item that they have cleaned. The list really motivates them and your not telling them what to do. Rewards are paid for all there great and hard work.

20. Plan a vacation or trip. Research together the area that you’ll be going and get feed back as to what everyone would like to see. Give them a journal and have them write down what they did that day. They won’t like doing it most of the time. When they go back the following year and read it they’ll remember certain events with fond memories.
Source: www.netglimse.com/holidays/summer/summer_fun,_facts_and_suggestions.shtml

Monday, June 22, 2009

Responsible Fatherhood

On the 100th anniversary of Father's Day, the President writes a piece on fatherhood in Parade Magazine talking about his own life and highlighting the responsibilities all fathers must step up to:

'We Need Fathers To Step Up'
by President Barack Obama


As the father of two young girls who have shown such poise, humor, and patience in the unconventional life into which they have been thrust, I mark this Father’s Day—our first in the White House—with a deep sense of gratitude. One of the greatest benefits of being President is that I now live right above the office. I see my girls off to school nearly every morning and have dinner with them nearly every night. It is a welcome change after so many years out on the campaign trail and commuting between Chicago and Capitol Hill.



But I observe this Father’s Day not just as a father grateful to be present in my daughters’ lives but also as a son who grew up without a father in my own life. My father left my family when I was 2 years old, and I knew him mainly from the letters he wrote and the stories my family told. And while I was lucky to have two wonderful grandparents who poured everything they had into helping my mother raise my sister and me, I still felt the weight of his absence throughout my childhood.

read the full article here.



source: whitehouse.gov

Father's Day

June 21.

The Father's Day is a day of commemoration and celebration of Dad -the special man in our life. We often forget the sacrifice of our fathers and the roles they have played in shaping our lives. Father's Day gives us the opportunity to show and express our love and care to this man, who deserves our support most.

Father's Day is the most appropriate platform to make us look beyond 'our own' family and honor the man who brought us joy and happiness. Father's Day is a day to honor not only your father, but all men who have acted as a father figure in your life - whether as Stepfathers, Uncles, Grandfathers, or "Big Brothers."


The word 'Father' is often used to honor spiritual leaders, inventors and originator of an idea, product, service or person. It is so, that fathers have always been associated with guidance and protection, as the person who can be loved, respected and looked up to. Let's use the Father's Day to let these special men know what place they have in our lives and what influence they have on us.

The Father's Day is celebrated on 21st June 2009 and don't forget to make this day special day more special!
Father's Day is a time of burnt toast and breakfast in bed, family gatherings, and crayon scribbled "I Love You Dad" and, of course, that lovely new tie!

Source: www.loveyoufather.com

Monday, June 15, 2009

Flag Day in the United States


People across the United States celebrate Flag Day on June 14 each year to honor the United States flag and to commemorate the flag’s adoption. What do people do?

  • Flag Day falls within National Flag Week, a time when Americans reflect on the foundationsenduring symbol of the country’s ideals since its early days. During both events, Americans also remember their loyalty to the nation, reaffirm their belief in liberty and justice, and observe the nation’s unity.
  • Many people in the United States honor this day by displaying the American flag at homes and public buildings. Other popular ways of observing this holiday include: flag-raising ceremonies; Flag Day services; school quizzes and essay competitions about the American flag; musical salutes; street parades; and awards for special recognition.
  • Organizations such as The National Flag Day Foundation are actively involved in coordinating activities centered on the event and keeping the flag’s traditions alive. Following Flag Day is Honor America Days, a 21-day period through to Independence Day (July 4) to honor America. During this period, people hold public gatherings and activities to celebrate and honor the nation.

http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/us/flag-day
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Boy_at_National_Memorial_Day_Concert.jpg

Thursday, June 11, 2009

A New Beginning: President Obama's histoic speech in Cairo - June 4. 2009


President Barack Obama spoke at the Cairo University in Cairo, Thursday, June 4, 2009. In his speech, President Obama called for a 'new beginning between the United States and Muslims', declaring that 'this cycle of suspicion and discord must end'.




"I've come here to Cairo to seek a new beginning between the United States and Muslims around the world, one based on mutual interest and mutual respect, and one based upon the truth that America and Islam are not exclusive and need not be in competition. Instead, they overlap, and share common principles -- principles of justice and progress; tolerance and the dignity of all human beings." - Read the whole speech here.










President Barack Obama tours the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt



President Barack Obama tours the Egypt's Great Sphinx of Giza (left) and the Pyramid of Khafre


President Barack Obama ducks his head to get through an entranceway on a tour of the Pyramids and Sphinx in Egypt, June 4, 2009.

At center-right is the hieroglyphic that the President comment on saying it looked like him.






source: skopje.usembassy.gov; whitehouse.gov; .flickr.com/whitehouse

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