Don't Forget the Summer Reading Challenge!

This post is just a quick reminder to update your book count on the Summer Reading Challenge.  There is still time to squeeze in a few books before the end of summer.  Read.  Read more.  KEEP READING!!!  Here are a few more suggestions if you need books to read.

More Summer Science -- Mars

The planet Mars has been in the news lately.  Check out this article about the Mars rover Opportunity from Sfgate.

Take a look at these NASA websites from more information about Mars:
Images of Mars from a rover.

NASA's Mars page.

Mars for kids (NASA).


Check out this NOVA video about Mars.

Osprey Expand Nesting Areas to San Francisco Bay Shoreline

It is always a good time to learn more about science.  The San Jose Mercury News ran this article about Osprey nesting in the Bay Area.  These beautiful raptors are very exciting and interesting birds of prey.  I have often seen them fishing near Clearlake, CA.  I encourage you to learn more about these local birds.
National Geographic Osprey
BioKids Osprey
All About Birds Osprey

Summer Math Practice

Prepare yourself for next year in math.  Try out some of these practice websites or Google your own.

Math Playground -- Common Core grade 5
Math Playground -- Common Core grade 6
5th grade math practice
Internet4classrooms -- 5th grade math
Internet4classrooms -- 6th grade math
Math Antics -- Fun & free video lessons 

Keep Reading This Summer

Keep reading good books this summer.  A recommendation that I forgot to mention in an earlier post is The Hobbit by JRR Tolkien.  I am aware that many of you are thinking "But I've already seen the movie."  To which I would answer, REALLY?  Do you really think you can appreciate a good story by seeing the movie and not reading the book?  I hope not.

Here are more book lists for you to find ideas for summer reading:
50 books every child should read
100 books every child should read
Must read books for ages 8-11

Don't forget to track your status on the Summer Reading Challenge list.  Send me a comment when you finish a good book.  It's never too late.

Educational Activities for the Summer :)

I was browsing for good activities to try over the summer.  I found quite a few interesting websites.  Exercise your brain this summer and give some of these a try.

Education.com has a fun website that is customizable.
10 ideas from greatschools.org.
Another list from greatschools.
Check out Education World's 25 ideas.
Finally, Family Education has some interesting links.

Don't neglect the Summer Reading Challenge.  It's not too late!

Take a Summer Field Trip

Put down the video games and turn off the television! Do something educational this summer.  Not sure what to do?  Try out these two ideas:

The Tech Museum of Innovation

The Rosicrucian Egyptian Museum

Both of these are in San Jose.  Get your family to go and learn over the summer.

Summer Reading Challenge Update

Wow!  I am totally impressed by the number of readers participating in this year's Summer Reading Challenge.  I now have 12 of my students from last year plus a seventh grader and a third grader.  Keep up the good work.  Check your status here:  Summer Reading Challenge 2014

Start posting comments on this post, as the other one is beginning to get cumbersome.  Remember to give me a few days to publish your comments and update the list, as I may be out of town from time to time this summer.

Wondering what you should read next?  Check out Penny's online post with her suggestions.  If you create a similar list, I will feature it on a future post.  Great job Penny!

Here is a summer reading list from Scholastic that might also help you out.  Head to the library this summer and HAVE FUN READING!

Summer Science Projects

Do you ever get bored during the summer?  Try out a few science projects to alleviate that boredom. 
Check out these links for ideas.  Let me know if any of these are fun.



50 Summer Science Ideas
Kids World Science
Summer Science PBS
Education.com Summer Science 

Don't forget about the Summer Reading Challenge.

Summer Updates and Reading Challenge

Hello again, students.  I am glad to see so many of you trying out my Summer Reading Challenge.  Don't forget to post comments with the titles and authors of the books you have read so that I can update the Challenge page.  If you are wondering what you should read this summer, here is a list of books that I recommend:

The Black Stallion by Walter Farley
The BFG by Roald Dahl
The Thief Lord by Cornelia Funke
Inkheart by Cornelia Funke
White Fang by Jack London
The Call of the Wild by Jack London
The Phantom Tollbooth by Norton Juster
The Adventures of Tom Sawyer by Mark Twain
The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn by Mark Twain
The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick
Where the Red Fern Grows by Wilson Rawls

You should also look over the comments that students have made about the books they are reading.

If you are interesting in keeping up with me this summer, I will post updates on my family at my old teacherp website.

Summer Fun! --> Math Style.

This is one of my favorite summer time websites for students.  Check out Bedtime Math for a daily math activity.  Please practice over the summer.  Encourage your parents to work with you.  Get your brothers and sisters involved!  Find your cousins, aunts, and uncles and make them do math with you!!  Seek out your friends for a math party!!!  (Someone should probably stop me.  I've gone math crazy.)



Don't forget about the Summer Reading Challenge.  Check your status here.

Summer Reading Challenge 2014 -- Library Style

The San Jose Public Library has its own Summer Reading Challenge.  Why not enter their challenge and mine? 

Remember, to enter my Summer Reading Challenge you just need to post a comment telling me that you are in.  I will enter your name on this Summer Reading Challenge page.  Then, each time you finish a chapter book, leave me another comment stating the title of the book and the author.  I will update your entry on the Summer Reading Challenge page.  At the beginning of the next school year, I will try to get the principal to recognize your achievement over the summer, if you read at least 5 good chapter books.

As of the date of this post, six students have entered.  You should be the seventh.

Happy reading!!!

World Cup 2014

The World Cup starts today in Brazil.  Soccer, or football as the rest of the world calls it, is one of the most popular sports in the world.  The World Cup gathers the best players of the world together to represent their nations.  This event occurs only once every four years.  Spain won the Cup in 2010.  I am incredibly excited about this year's event, as I grew up playing soccer.

  As a part of your summer education, I encourage you to learn about the World Cup and watch a few games.  Hopefully this inspires you to get outside and play soccer.

FIFA is the international organization that runs the World Cup.
Learn the history of the World Cup.
Check out a photo history of the World Cup from Time.
Use this activity page for fun.



Finally, learn about the history of Brazil, the host country of the 2014 World Cup.
History
Timeline
National Geographic for Kids

Announcement -- Summer Reading Challenge 2014!!!

Welcome to all of my current and former students.  I invite all of you take take on the Summer Reading Challenge of 2014.  The challenge is to read at least 5 good chapter books before school starts again in the fall.  If you want to be an elite reader, then you should read at least 10 good chapter books.  Champion readers would probably read at least 15 good chapter books over the summer.  Not sure what to read?

Check out these websites for ideas:

5th grade summer book list.

San Jose Public Library 5th grade book list

6th grade summer book list

San Jose Public Library 6th grade book list

Leave me a comment so that I know what you are reading.  I might even recommend your book on this website.

As you are completing this challenge, let me know by leaving comments with what book you read and how many you have read so far.  I will keep track of the number of books you have read on this link.  I would also encourage you to write a list of books you have read on kidblog over the summer.  If you complete (or surpass) this challenge, I will try to get you recognized by the principal in the fall.  Have a great summer and enjoy reading!

Math Webquest -- Plan a surprise party

Your mission is to buy everything, from invitations to a cake to a gift, for your best friend's party.  The only catch....you only have $85 to spend and you want to give your friend an awesome present for his birthday.  Not only will you learn about budgeting in this WebQuest, but you will also be comparing prices and using decimal operations.  Good luck!  --->  Surprise party WebQuest.

This webquest is for my homeroom.  However, if you are from my math class and visiting this web page, feel free to attempt this WebQuest at home.  If you find you need help with decimals, you can review them on the Khan Academy website.  Do not spend too much time on this page.