Take a practice quiz on US history.

I need volunteers to take a practice quiz for me.  I found an online quiz tool that I am testing.  Please help me out if you have time.  U.S.A. history practice quiz.

Solar Energy Science Experiments

This post was inspired by a link I found on tumblr.  Try out some of these solar energy home experiments.

As always, any experiment you do should be supervised by a responsible adult.
 
The first experiment I found was making a solar oven from the US department of energy.  This looks like a lot of fun.  I kept looking and found that the San Francisco Chronicle has a list of 4 different solar home experiments for kids.  I then found two experiments published by a solar energy company.  Finally, I found a site called Energy Quest that has a ton of different projects and lessons about many types of energy, including solar.

Interested in solar power?  Read more about it.

Current Events -- Keep up with what is happening this summer.

Do you know what's going on in the world?  You should.  Use some of these resources to learn just a bit more about the world around you.  I can't think of a better way to practice reading this summer.

Current events for kids:
Nat Geo Kids
Time for Kids
Here There Everywhere
WP Kids Post

Local Newspaper online:
San Jose Mercury News

This Day in History

I've posted this website before, but I really like it.  You can literally learn something new everyday on This Day in History.

Factmonster created their own version of this idea.

Mandela Day -- Nelson Mandela turns 95 today

Who is Nelson Mandela?  Those of you who were in my class this year will remember reading a story about him.  He was a leader in South Africa against apartheid.  He spent a very long time in jail for standing up to an unjust government and a system that did not give equal rights to all people.  He was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.  When he was released from jail, he became the president of South Africa.
Learn more about him on these websites:
Nelson Mandela -- Kid's Biography
Nelson Mandela --History Channnel
Nelson Mandela -- CNN

Get Your Artistic Side Going This Summer!

Do you want to try something other than the Summer Reading Challenge?

Try out some art projects this summer.  Check out these websites for ideas.  Let me know if you try one out and think it is cool.

1.  http://www.artprojectsforkids.org/
2.  http://www.kiwicrate.com/themes/Art-Projects-for-Kids/2
3.  http://crafts.kaboose.com/holidays/seasons/summer/
4.  http://spoonful.com/art-projects-for-kids

Have fun and explore your inner artist.  (I'm really just trying to get you to turn off the television and video games this summer.)

Get Active This Summer!!!

Are you spending too much time watching TV and playing video games this summer?  I would like to encourage you to get outside and do something active.  Take a hike or a bike ride.  It is important to get enough exercise.

Take advantage of our local parks.
1.  Check out the bike trails in Santa Clara County parks.
2. Try some of the hiking that is available in our county parks.
3.  Here is a list of parks in the county.
4.  Don't forget about our city parks.

If you are wondering, my favorite county park is Hellyer, which is not far from our school.  I enjoy taking my kids there for picnics, nature walks, and bike rides.  (Of course, my 4 year old never lets us leave without visiting the play structure.)  If you have a favorite outdoor area nearby, please mention it in the comments.

Where the Weird Things Are

This is a great summer reading article from National Geographic.  It is about an island call Socotra off the coast of Africa.  This island contains unique plants and animals that live no where else in the world.

Check out:
Where the Weird Things Are
Where the Weird Things Are -- Pictures

Map of Socotra near Africa.

How is your Summer Reading Challenge going?

How many books have you read this summer?  If you haven't signed up yet, it's not too late.  Just leave me a comment on this post and then update me when you finish books this summer.

Do you need some good ideas?  Here are some of my favorite books that I think every kid should read at least once:

The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
The BFG by Roald Dahl
White Fang by Jack London
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe by C.S. Lewis
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
Tuck Everlasting by Natalie Babbitt
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

If you have any other suggestions, please leave them as a comment on this post. 

(Check out your Summer Reading Challenge status here.  See what others have shared on previous Summer Reading Challenge posts.)

Giant Sequoias -- Sequoiadendron Giganteum

 I recently went camping in Calaveras Big Trees State Park.  This park contains the largest living things on Earth, the Giant Sequoias.  These trees are the most massive living things on our planet (although not the tallest).  They can also live to be over 3000 years old.  Those of you who know me will not be surprised by the fact that I decided this would make a great science lesson.






I recommend the following websites to learn more information:
1.  Giant Sequoias -- kids.net
2.  Giant Sequoias Grow Faster with Age
3.  Wikipedia
4.  Giant Sequoias -- National Geographic
5.  Differences between Giant Sequoias and Giant Redwoods.


I also encourage to research these magnificent trees on your own.  Better yet, encourage your family to go visit these trees.

Check out more photos of my camping trip on my old website.

Happy 4th of July!!!

Learn more about the Fourth of July and why it is a federal holiday.

http://www.history.com/topics/july-4th

http://www.constitutionfacts.com/us-declaration-of-independence/fourth-of-july/

Read the Declaration of Independence.