Summer Enrichment Ideas

[pimaprincess84]

I just got a job working with a family this summer. The mom would like me to spend an hour with her 2 children (ages 9 and 11) on enrichment type activities. I am wondering if any of you have ideas or suggestions of things I could do. I taught Kinder and Second grade for 5 years, but am kind of at a loss for the older kids.

I am also tutoring the younger sister (age 6), but I kind of know what I will be doing with her as I have a list of things she is struggling with. Any fun activities you have done with that age would be appreciated as well. Thanks.

 

[clearskies]

You could pick different countries and study their cultures, dress, learn to cook a dish, eat at a restaurant from that region.

See what's available in the area as far as local history...museums, etc.

Art...visit a museum, learn about different styles and try to recreate them.

Write short stories. Perhaps the 6 yo could draw pictures to go along with the stories.

 

[kristijoy]

Love your ideas! I think different countries would be fun, especially if you could find friends or other people from those areas. And art would be fabulous, I snagged a free 'curriculum' pdf from Confessions of a HOmeschooler. I haven't used this one, myself, since it's geared toward an older kid. But it might give you some ideas! http://www.confessionsofahomeschooler.com/blog/2011/06/worlds-greatest-artists-unit-study.html

I just did 'mommy camp' with my kid. We studied geology. Most of my activities were geared toward a 5 year old. Like vinegar volcanoes, playing 'erosion' in the sandbox. We also had a great time rock-hunting and learning about the different kinds of rocks and the rock cycle.

Another idea might be exploring different professions. Would be fabulous if you could make some real life field trips to different places. I would especially look for things where real-life people are using math or reading skills everyday!

 

[rach3975]

They could:
-write a script and perform their play
-keep a summer journal
un a store (with real or play money)
-study how people lived at different times through everyday activities (ie, making bread from scratch, writing with berry ink, sewing something by hand)

 

[julifish]

My kids love science experiments. Maybe a different theme each week? Incorporate a lesson from all areas of study? At that age (I have a 9 and 13 yo) teaching them how to use what they learn in school to do real life stuff is pretty fun. Like cooking - knowing how to convert a recipe to make more or less (math, science, measuring- motor skills). Planning a well balanced meal is also a great life lesson. We built an electric car from an erector set this weekend with our 9yo dd - and she loves that she built something with her hands that runs. Now I want to have her make a course for the car to run through which requires measurement and planning (plus some follow through).

You could learn about different artists and then try to paint like them - also having them mix the paint to make complicated colors.

Have a Wow word of the week - my DD's second grade teacher did that. I loved that my then 7 yo knew the word collosial and could use it appropriately. Persnickity was also another word - words that help enhance writing and reading are good.

Does the library have any rewards for reading? Ours offers baseball tickets to a major league team if you read for 24 hours over the summer. Read a book together and start your own little book club to discuss the book.

I think the key is to make it fun and interactive and nothing like school so they don't even realize they are learning. When it's an expereince vs being taught by kids learn so much more and retain it for later.

 

[jacinda]

My kids love science experiments. Maybe a different theme each week? Incorporate a lesson from all areas of study? At that age (I have a 9 and 13 yo) teaching them how to use what they learn in school to do real life stuff is pretty fun.

I think the key is to make it fun and interactive and nothing like school so they don't even realize they are learning. When it's an expereince vs being taught by kids learn so much more and retain it for later.

I second the science experiments idea. My kids are 5 and 8, and they LOVE science experiments. It's so fun they don't even realise they're learning at the same time. There are tons of free ideas online if you do a google search.