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Parents considering a summer learning program for their child can use this handy checklist to determine if a program offers the right mix of structure, learning, community and fun.

Summer Matters draws on its experience with summer learning programs throughout California to provide a straightforward checklist for parents. The checklist identifies the six key elements of an effective summer learning program and what they mean in practice.

Broadens youth horizons

By exposing them to new adventures, skills and ideas such as a nature walk, new 1 computer program, museum visit or live performance.

Includes a wide variety of activities

Such as reading, writing, math, science, arts and public service projects - in ways that are fun and engaging.

Helps youth build mastery

By improving at doing something they enjoy and care about, such as creating a neighborhood garden, writing a healthy snacks cookbook or operating a robot.

Fosters cooperative learning

By working with their friends on team projects and group activities such as a neighborhood clean-up, group presentation or canned food drive.

Promotes healthy habits

By providing nutritious food, physical recreation and outdoor activities.

Lasts at least one month

Giving youth enough time to benefit from their summer learning experiences.

Summer learning programs are much more than remedial summer school. Use this checklist when reviewing summer program options for your child, or when developing your own summer learning curriculum.

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Six Elements of Great Summer Learning - Summer Matters

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Parents considering a summer learning program for their child can use this handy checklist to determine if a program offers the right mix of structure, learning, community and fun. Summer Matters draws on its experience with summer learning programs throughout California to provide a straightforward checklist for parents.

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Garden for Wildlife | National Wildlife Federation

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Help wildlife by providing food, water, cover, and a place for wildlife to raise their young.

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Bedtime Math – We inspire kids to love math so they embrace and excel at it.

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What you'll find here:

Space Rangers! A book-based science adventure

Explore, read, play, invent, build and learn - all about stars, our solar system, and space exploration. Space Rangers is a 5-day program that connects books and writing with hands-on activities and other active learning opportunities. Our downloadable toolkit has all the resources you need for your summer program or at-home learning.
Get the Space Rangers Toolkit here >
River Rangers! A book-based science adventure

Explore, read, play, invent, build and learn - all about water and the rivers and streams in your community. River Rangers is a 5-day program that connects books and writing with hands-on activities and other active learning opportunities. Our downloadable toolkit has all the resources you need for your summer program or at-home learning.
Get the River Rangers Toolkit here >
DIY science camp: weeks of fun and learning!

Parents and summer program staff! Looking for ways to bring more science into your summer learning activities? We've got some cool ideas for warm summer days. Choose a topic below, then explore the hands-on activities. You'll also find recommended fiction and nonfiction books plus theme-based apps and websites to deepen the learning. (Find lots more books and activities by browsing our complete library of Science, Nature, and Math themes.)

Begin your adventures by selecting a topic below!

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What you'll find here: SpaceRangers! River Rangers! DIY science camp Literacy in the sciences Summer adventure tracker Summer book tracker Space Rangers! A book-based science adventure Explore, read, play, invent, build and learn - all about stars, our solar system, and space exploration.

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Anyone can learn computer science. Make games, apps and art with code.

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Jackson County Library Summer Reading Program

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Jackson County Library Summer Reading Program

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All JCLS branches now offer Front Door Service to pick up held items on a first-come, first-served basis. Personal ID will be required to pick up your items. More Information.
Ashland, Eagle Point, Medford and Rogue River now offer limited computer use by appointment.More Information.
We will be performing system maintenance from Sunday, May 24 through Tuesday, May 26th. During this time responses to emails may be delayed.

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Skip to main content All JCLS branches now offer Front Door Service to pick up held items on a first-come, first-served basis. Personal ID will be required to pick up your items. More Information. Ashland, Eagle Point, Medford and Rogue River now offer limited computer use by appointment.More Information.

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Maker Camp is a free program full of projects, adventures, inspiration, and community. We are looking for Maker Camp Community Partners. That means you! Anyone can register: schools, libraries, clubs, or pods that are ready for a summer of making. The versatile framework is customizable for in-person, hybrid, or remote camps.

Maker Camp 2021 launches July 6, 2021 with rich project resources and a great line up of featured makers including Mario the Maker Magician and Code Joy. More information about our Featured Makers, project resources, and materials coming soon.

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Make: produces a variety of great products and helpful project tutorials to enhance your making experience.

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Maker Camp is a free program full of projects, adventures, inspiration, and community. We are looking for Maker Camp Community Partners. That means you! Anyone can register: schools, libraries, clubs, or pods that are ready for a summer of making. The versatile framework is customizable for in-person, hybrid, or remote camps.

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zoo oregon animals portland zoological park wildlife conservation family kids activities fun events

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Community-supported since 1888, the Oregon Zoo is a world leader in animal welfare and conservation, connecting more than 1.6 million visitors with the world...

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Make a Simple Summer Journal by Mary Alice Gruppi

Mary Alice Gruppi is a middle school language arts teacher who morphed into an elementary administrator. Currently she is the principal of a K-5 school. She blogs at There's a Pal in Principal. In addition to today's post, Mary Alice created a slide show with more samples of these journals. Make sure to click the link because you won't want to miss it!

Are you looking for an easy end of year project to make with your class? These simple notebooks are just the item for your students to use as summer journals!

I've created them with fourth and fifth graders. We made them at a staff meeting, at Writer's Group and I've seen teachers create them with their classes for a variety of purposes. I like them just for fun.

What you need......

*You'll need some paper for the cover. The blue and white booklets are donated card stock. The red cover is a leftover junior football registration flier I rescued from the recycle bin. Two booklets have donated paper inside, and in one I used the writing paper that has been in the storage area for years when the lower grades switched to a different style.

*Gather some straws from the dollar store, coffee stirrers from the last Box of Joe in the Teachers Room, or some twigs from the back yard. Make sure you have one for every booklet.

*You'll need an elastic for each book. I save the elastics from Whole Foods when I buy berries.

* Borrow as many paper punches as you can from your neighboring classrooms. Wal Mart has the best price if you want to buy your own. I've used the electric paper punch in the office, but I find it a little unreliable as far as hole placement. I like to see where I'm punching the holes!

Ready? This is so simple you'll be amazed!

Fold your cover in half. Fold your inside pages, put them inside the cover, and trim if needed.

Punch two holes with your hole punch. Measure down from the top and up from the bottom about 2 inches. If you make a smaller book, adjust accordingly.

Pull one end off the elastic through the bottom hole and slide your straw, stirrer or twig into the loop. Pull the other end through the top hole and slide the other end of the straw, stirrer or twig through that.

There it is! Try using a pen or pencil for fun. These pencils were left over from the 'old days' when we gave the Kindergarteners big pencils for little hands instead of the golf pencils we use now!

I got inspired and grabbed my stamps for the nature journal!

Thanks to Susan Kapuscinski Gaylord and her making books.com site for the original idea.

Thanks to Stacey and Ruth for so many inspirations and for the fun of posting this project.

P.S. If you're reading this you're a dedicated professional who believes in the power of writing. Congratulations!

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Make a Simple Summer Journal by Mary Alice Gruppi

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Mary Alice Gruppi is a middle school language arts teacher who morphed into an elementary administrator. Currently she is the principal of a K-5 school. She blogs at There's a Pal in Principal. In addition to today's post, Mary Alice created a slide show with more samples of these journals.

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Stay healthy, creative and active with the help of elite athletes.  Sign up for a free account to SEL Foundations here to access downloadable/printable activites related to social emotional well-being for the whole family or click the icon below to go straight to the videos on YouTube.

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Classroom Champions connects top performing athletes with students in high-need schools. We use video lessons and live video chat to motivate students to rec...

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Have you ever tasted an Arab taco?

When was the Arab taco invented?

What is shawarma?

Find it out

How are currency exchange rates determined?

What was the gold standard?

Which type of currency exchange rate system does the U.S. use?

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Which of the following is usually NOT a factor in determining currency exchange rates?

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How can I use Wonderopolis?

What are the parts of a Wonder?

How do writers make a Wonder?

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Based on information from the Wonder, what was Lou Castro known for when he was alive?

Test your knowledge

What is an okapi?

Where do okapis live?

What do okapis eat?

Find it out

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Where the Wonders of Learning Never Cease | Wonderopolis

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Where the Wonders of Learning Never Cease

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Live webcams from around the world.

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GRACE Gorilla Forest Corridor | Explore.org

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Watch live video of gorillas at the Gorilla Rehabilitation and Conservation Education Center (GRACE) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Africa. Watch as the gorilla's pass through, graze on vegetation, and make their nest for their overnight slumber

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The school bell may stop ringing, but summer is a great time for all kinds of learning opportunities for kids. Reading Rockets has packed a bag full of activities for teachers to help families get ready for summer and to launch students to fun, enriching summertime experiences.

In this article:

Ideas for active summer learning

Offer recommendations for active learning experiences. Check with your local department of parks and recreation about camps and other activities. Find out what exhibits, events, or concerts are happening in your town over the summer. Create a directory or calendar of local summer learning fun to share with your students and their families. (Be sure to note any costs involved.)

Encourage parents to build reading and writing into everyday activities. Some ideas to pass along: (1) watching TV with the sound off and closed captioning on, (2) reading directions for how to play a new game, or (3) helping with meals by writing up a grocery list, finding things in the grocery store, and reading the recipe aloud for mom or dad during cooking time.

Kids blog! Arrange for a safe, closed community so that your students can blog over the summer. Edublogs and Kidblog offer teachers and students free blog space and appropriate security. Free, disposable e-mail accounts are available at Mailinator. Students can create an account there, use the address long enough to establish the blog and password, and then abandon it.

Be an active citizen. Kids who participate in community service activities gain not only new skills but self-confidence and self-esteem. Help them zoom into action! This tool from Youth Service America can help you identify youth project ideas. Volunteer Match offers a searchable database of volunteer options for kids. You'll find other great ideas here: 10 Simple Ways Kids Can Volunteer in Their Communities and Make a Difference and 12 Amazing Volunteer Ideas to Inspire Kids and Teens.

CitizenKid is a collection of books that inform children about the world and inspire them to be better global citizens. The U.S. Department of Education published Helping Your Child Become a Responsible Citizen with activities for elementary school kids.

Read about your world. Newsela builds nonfiction literacy and awareness of world events by providing access to hundreds of fresh news articles (you can filter by grade). Other good sources of quality nonfiction include Time for Kids online and many children's magazines offered by Cricket Media, National Geographic, and other publishers.

The bloggers on The Uncommon Corps are enthusiastic champions of nonfiction literature for kids and young adults, and offer many ideas for integrating nonfiction into your reading diet. For more book ideas to share with parents, check out the Orbis Pictus Award winners - outstanding nonfiction for children, presented by the National Council of Teachers of English. Share these tip sheets with parents (available in English and Spanish): Getting the Most Out of Nonfiction Reading Time and How to Read Nonfiction Text. And don't forget to check out our Nonfiction for Kids section.

Active bodies. Active minds. From the American Library Association, ilovelibraries has suggestions for staying fit and having fun that start at your local library.

Watch a garden grow and build research, reading, and writing skills with this summer project from ReadWriteThink. Children are encouraged to write questions and observations in a summer garden journal. Or check out the Kids Gardening website for lots of great ideas and resources for family (and school) gardening. You can also browse the hands-on activities on our summer site, Start with a Book, in the section Nature: Our Green World.

Make cool things. Find loads of hands-on activities at Start with a Book. Just choose from one of 24 topics (art, music, dinosaurs, bugs, detectives, flight, sports, stars, planets and the night sky ... and more) and start exploring.

Help parents plan ahead for fall. Work with the teachers a grade level above to develop a short list of what their new students have to look forward to when they return to school. For example, if rising third graders will be studying ancient cultures, suggest that parents check out educational TV, movies, or local museums that can provide valuable background information on that topic.

Ideas for summer reading fun

Make sure kids have something to read during the summer - put books into children's hands. Sign up for the First Book Marketplace and gain access to award-winning new books for free and to deeply discounted new books and educational materials or find other national and local programs and organizations that can help.

Get your local public library to sign kids up for summer reading before school is out. Invite or ask your school librarian to coordinate a visit from the children's librarian at the public library near the end of the school year. Ask them to talk about summer activities, educational videos, and audio books at the library and to distribute summer reading program materials.

Get to know your community public library better. Find out if your public library is part of the Collaborative Summer Library Program, a grassroots effort to provide high-quality summer reading programs for kids. The theme for 2019 is A Universe of Stories. Colorín Colorado has tips for parents in English and in Spanish about visiting the local library. Or check out our top 9 reasons to rediscover your public library.

Check your local library for more free kids summer reading programs with activities and incentives for all ages. Most libraries also have story times and other reading-themed activities.

Help kids build math and science skills over the summer. Share our Literacy in the Sciences series with families. Each one-page tip sheet (in English and Spanish) suggests easy hands-on activities as well as fiction and nonfiction books to extend the learning. In this section you'll also find links to great science websites for kids, blogs about children's science books, and links to PBS KIDS science programs and activities.

Listening is learning, too! Suggest to parents that they set up a summer listening program. Listening is an engaging way to learn, and many children love listening to books, music, stage plays, comedy routines, and other works. Point out background sounds, such as the way the peppy tune on a sound track adds fun and humor to an adventure tale. Learning to listen is particularly helpful to children with learning disabilities. If your kids love audiobooks, check out Our Favorite Audio Books, and find even more recommendations at Book Finder.

Online activities for families

Share examples of good interactive educational websites that parents and young kids can explore together. Here are some of our favorites:

Suggest audio books as an alternative to print, especially for kids with learning disabilities that make reading a struggle. See our article, Listen and Learn with Audio Books (available in English and Spanish). You can now download stories to iPods and other mobile devices, perfect for car rides or a lazy hot afternoon. Tales2Go offers high-quality kids' books through a mobile streaming service. AudibleKids has an extensive collection of downloadable books, and some of them are free through a partnership with RIF. Browse our list of Favorite Audio Books and find even more titles on Book Finder.

Print and share with parents

Distribute a checklist for parents that provides tips on how to find a great summer program. This one, developed by the National Summer Learning Association, is a good basic resource.

Build background knowledge. Put an article about summer learning in your school or PTA newsletter.

Use books as a springboard for conversation, creativity, and acquiring new background knowledge by sharing the Reading Rockets Reading Adventure Packs with your students' families. These themed packs combine fiction and nonfiction books with simple, hands-on activities that kids and parents can do together.

Offer reading reminders to parents with these tip sheets from Reading Rockets available in 11 languages.

Recommend good summer reads that match your students' interests. You might start with our Summer Reading Booklists with suggestions for kids 0 to 9 years old.

Print and share with kids

Promote simple, fun items that support the reading habit. Reading Rockets has created a "Warning! Reading Rocket in Orbit" door hanger in English and Spanish.

Recommend some great summer reads that match your students' interests. Download the Reading Rockets summer reading booklists - lots of good suggestions for kids up to 12 years old. Or ask your school or public librarian for an age-appropriate reading list.

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summer reading fun active learning experiences in summer

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Get Ready for Summer! Ideas for Teachers to Share with Families

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Reading Rockets has packed a "virtual beach bag" of activities for teachers to help families get ready for summer and to launch students to fun, enriching summertime experiences. Educators will find materials to download and distribute as well as ideas and resources to offer to students and parents to help ensure summer learning gain rather than loss.

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What Do YOU Wonder About?

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Junior Geologists Camp

IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLDIEBLOX

Is your kid interested in volcanoes, gems, and weird rock formations? In this camp they'll join other young geologists, uncover terrestrial secrets, and work on the included GoldieBlox Crystal Growing Kit.

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IN PARTNERSHIP WITH GOLDIEBLOX Is your kid interested in volcanoes, gems, and weird rock formations? In this camp they'll join other young geologists, uncover terrestrial secrets, and work on the included GoldieBlox Crystal Growing Kit.

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Stress-free science lessons for K-5 distance learning

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Offering some of the highest quality educational content, Google partners with other giants like NASA, Khan Academy, National Geographic and NPS to create fun and engaging content for children.

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Simple Tips for Summer Math Learning | Parenting Tips & Advice | PBS KIDS for Parents

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It may be easy to fall prey to summer "brain drain," but these fun ideas can help keep your children engaged in math over the summer months.

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Ten Fun Ideas for Rogue Valley Kids and Teens

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Ten Fun Ideas for Rogue Valley Kids and Teens

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Children's Advocacy Center

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Are you wondering what to do with the kids this summer? Here are some of our picks for summer fun and learning opportunities in the Rogue Valley!

1. The Jackson County Library Summer Reading Program

Your local branch of the Jackson County Library Summer Reading Program has something for every age. Find out about FREE Summer Library Activities for kids & teens. New activities every week!
The Library Summer Reading Program Summer Reading Activities Calendar Story Time for Babies, Toddler and Preschoolers/Toddler Aerobics Schedule Teen Activity Calendar Library Branches: Hours and Locations
2. Medford Parks and Recreation Summer Programs

You will find many affordable fun activities for every age: Day camps, sports camps, fitness activities, aquatics, educational programs, day trips, movies, music, special events and more!

Check out the Medford Parks and Recreation Online Program Guide for a complete list, more information and how to register.
Medford Parks and Recreation Website
3. Hanley Farm:

Hanley Farm is a historic working farm, established in 1857. It is located just outside of downtown Jacksonville, Oregon. Hanley Farm offers a summer camp for kids ages 7-12, introducing them to life on a farm. Activities include caring for animals, gardening, cooking, old-fashioned homesteading skills, farm games and heritage-themed crafts. Each day campers create a farm fresh lunch together - harvest to table.

Hanley farm also has a full line up of family friendly events featuring, art, history, music and food.

Hanley Farm 2015 Event Schedule

4. Movie Club

When the kids need a cool break from the heat, Tinsel Town offers an affordable Summer Movie Clubhouse deal.

5. Local Farmer's Markets:

At Rogue Valley farmer's markets you can find fresh locally grown and organic produce, local handmade crafts, prepared food, live music and a wonderful experience of community!

Talent Artisans and Growers: Every Friday evening in Talent, Oregon all summer long. 5:30 - 8:30 pm

Rogue Valley Growers Market: Medford & Ashland Farmers Markets. Market hours and locations

6. Bowling

Lava Lanes and Roxy Ann Lanes in Medford: Ages 17 & under receive two free games every day through Aug. 31st.

7. Rogue Valley YMCA and Ashland Family YMCA

Our local YMCAs offer day camps, swim lessons, child care, exercise/fitness classes for all ages, youth center, toddlers movement and music, youth sports, events and more!
Rogue Valley YMCA Summer Program Guide Rogue Valley YMCA Website Ashland Family YMCA Website and Summer Programs
8. Oregon Conservatory of Performing Arts Summer Camps

OCPA is Southern Oregon's original year-round theatre conservatory for youth, offering the Magic of Theatre summer camps. Their mission: Keeping the performing arts alive and within reach of everyone in our community. Visit: Oregon Conservatory.org

9. Coyote Trails School of Nature

Coyote Trails School of Nature offers nature-inspired outdoor and wilderness day classes, day camps, overnight camps, special projects and more.

Coyote Trails Website has a list of camps, classes and adventures!

10: Rogue Gallery & Art Center and Ashland Art Center

Rogue Gallery & Art Center, in Medford, and Ashland Art Center, in Ashland, offer summer classes for kids in a variety of media: painting, drawing, ceramics, sculpture, photography and more! Family Art Days at Rogue Gallery and Art Center are every Second Saturday from noon: July 10, August 8
Rogue Gallery & Art Center Summer Schedule of Classes Ashland Art Center Calendar of Classes
To find out more about what to see and do in the Rogue Valley for kids and teens visit The Children's Advocacy Center's Pinterest board: What's Up Wednesday! We pin new events and activities of interest to families in our area every Wednesday!

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10 summer fun ideas for Rogue Valley kids/teens - Children's Advocacy Center (CAC)

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Are you wondering what to do with the kids this summer? Here are some of our picks for summer fun and learning opportunities in the Rogue Valley! 1. The Jackson County Library Summer Reading Program Your local branch of the Jackson County Library Summer Reading Program has something for every age.