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Social Studies isn't just about maps and history books—it’s about people, places, traditions, and the way we live and work together. And summer offers the perfect chance to explore all of that in natural, memorable ways. Whether you’re at home or on the go, here are some simple activities to help children develop a better understanding of their community and the wider world—without it feeling like a lesson.  Explore Your CommunityTake walks or short drives to learn more about the places nearby. Ask questions like:
 Make and Read MapsStart small—like mapping your bedroom or backyard—and work your way up to neighborhood maps or road trip routes. Try:
 Learn Through Food and CultureTrying new recipes or attending cultural events can be both fun and educational. Explore:
 Celebrate Meaningful DaysMarking holidays or awareness days throughout the summer gives children insight into history and shared values. For example:
 Community Helpers Scavenger HuntLook for mail carriers, bus drivers, or construction workers and shopkeepers and talk about their roles. Visit local landmarks, museums, or parks. Talk about the roles different people play in the community.  Ask Big QuestionsSometimes the best way to teach Social Studies is to simply start a conversation. Questions to explore include:
 If you would like a checklist for the activities given here, click the button below.  Social Studies is about understanding how we belong, contribute, and connect. Summer gives us time to slow down, notice more, and talk about the things that matter. By weaving in meaningful experiences and conversations, kids will naturally build understanding—and compassion—that lasts long after summer ends.  This concludes my Summer Learning series. If you missed my previous posts, you can check them out by clicking on the links below: Summer Learning Math Summer Learning Science Summer Learning Language Arts   When kids think of summer, they don’t usually think of spelling, sentence structure, or punctuation—and that’s okay! The good news is that language arts learning doesn’t have to look like a school assignment to be effective. With a little creativity, reading and writing can be part of everyday fun. Whether you have five minutes or an afternoon, these ideas will help kids stay connected to literacy all summer long.  Keep a Summer Story JournalGive kids a notebook to fill with drawings, observations, and stories about their summer adventures. They might:
 Be a Letter WriterWriting for a real audience is powerful. Kids can:
 Play With WordsLanguage arts includes speaking, listening, and word play! Great on-the-go games include:
 Make Language Arts Fun With Creative IdeasReading and language development doesn’t need to be quiet or solo to count. Try:
 If you would like a checklist for the activities given here, click the button below.  Language is all around us, and summer gives kids the time and space to enjoy it creatively. With just a little inspiration and the freedom to explore, reading and writing can become something they want to do—even on a sunny day. The key to success is keeping it fun!  Don't forget to check out my Math activities for the summer and my Science activities for the summer. My next blog post will feature some activities and ideas for working with Social Studies during the summer break. Related Posts
Summer is the ultimate science lab. Whether you’re in the backyard, the kitchen, or out exploring your community, there are endless opportunities to observe, question, and experiment. Best of all? Kids don’t need to feel like they’re “doing school”—these activities feel like play. Here are some easy, low-prep science ideas that help kids stay curious, keep learning, and connect what they see to the world around them.  Nature Walks with a TwistGrab a notebook or a few blank pages, head outside, and turn an ordinary walk into a science observation adventure. Ask kids to:
 Easy Experiments at HomeNo fancy materials needed—just some curiosity and a few kitchen staples. Try these:
If you would like some ready made science experiments that are fun to do, check out this blog post.  Water Play with a PurposeHot days and water go hand-in-hand—so why not sneak in some science?
Insect And Bug Investigations & Garden DiscoveriesTurn over a rock, peek under leaves, or dig a little in the dirt—you’ll always find something living! Some questions to ask:
Plant seeds and watch how they grow. Keep an observation journal of changes. You don’t need all the answers—wondering together is what makes it memorable.  Weather WatchersEven summer skies change quickly. Help kids become weather detectives by:
 Do A Beach StudyTake a trip to the beach and explore.
 Recycling ChallengeLearn about ways to reduce, reuse and recycle for a better environment,
 If you would like a checklist for the activities given here, click the button below.  Kids are natural scientists—they love to explore, question, and figure things out. With a little encouragement, they’ll be learning all summer long without even realizing it.  If you would like to check out other science activities and resources, check out my science catergory in my TPT store. If you missed my blog post on summer math activities for primary kids, you can check it out here. My next blog post with have some Language Arts ideas and activities that might be fun to try during the summer break. Related Posts
Summer doesn’t have to mean a break from learning—especially when it comes to math! In fact, summer is the perfect time to show kids that math isn’t just something we do in school—it's something we use every single day. Best of all, these activities don’t feel like worksheets or homework. They feel like fun. Here are some simple, real-world ways to keep those math skills sharp while making lasting summer memories.  Working With MoneyLearning how to earn, budget, and spend money well are important life skills for everyone. Doing real activities with money will help children learn how to apply the skills they learn. Grocery store math is one example. Bring your child along on your next grocery trip and turn it into a math adventure. Ask them to:
 For more ideas about using money and learning how to budget, check out my recent blog post. A free sampler is also included. For more tips on using money and some hands on activities, check out this blog post. Cooking Up Some MathKids are curious and they love to learn about new things. Hands on activities in the kitchen are great for teaching math skills in a fun way with something delicious to eat in the end. Measuring, pouring, and mixing aren’t just kitchen skills—they’re math skills too! Get kids involved in:
It’s messy, meaningful, and tasty math all in one.  Games That CountPlaying games is a great way to build in math skills without kids groaning about having to do math. There are so many math-rich games that kids love, including:
These build mental math skills in a natural, pressure-free way. Kids have so much fun playing the games they don't realize that they are doing math.  Math Walks And Sidewalk Chalk MathWalking around the neighborhood is a great way to find out how math is everywhere.
A bucket of chalk can turn your driveway into a math playground:
 Build a Math Kit for On-the-Go FunKeep math tools handy for road trips, restaurant waits, or quiet afternoons. Try:
 If you would like a checklist for the activities given here, click the button below.  Math is everywhere, and summer is the perfect time to notice it. Whether you’re traveling, cooking, relaxing at home, or exploring your neighborhood, a little bit of math can go a long way.  Next time I will focus on Science and some activities that might be fun to try during the summer break. Related Posts
Summer is a much-needed break from the school routine—but it doesn’t have to be a break from learning. If you’re a teacher, homeschooler, or parent of a primary-aged child, you know how easy it is for kids to forget important skills during those sunny months. The good news? Learning can still happen in simple, natural ways that feel more like play than schoolwork. In fact, summer is the perfect time to connect real-life experiences with essential academic skills across all subject areas.  Over the next few weeks I will be sharing tips and activities that help kids practice skills with real world situations. Check below for a summary of each upcoming blog post. Math in the Real WorldFrom counting coins at the lemonade stand to measuring ingredients in the kitchen, math is everywhere in summer. This post will be packed with fun, hands-on ideas to keep those number sense skills fresh—without pulling out a worksheet. Topics include:
 Simple Summer ScienceWhether you're chasing bugs in the backyard or building a simple water filter, summer is full of curiosity-driven science learning. Help kids explore nature, ask questions, and become scientists in their own environment. Topics include:
 Language Arts That Feels Like FunReading and writing don’t have to stop when school ends! With playful prompts, letters to friends, and backyard storytelling, literacy learning can feel like an adventure. Topics include:
 Everyday Social StudiesSocial Studies comes to life through community exploration, cultural traditions, and conversations about fairness, history, and identity. Summer is full of real-world ways to learn about how people live and work together. Topics include:
 Kids don’t need to sit at a desk all summer to keep their minds growing. With a little creativity and the right mindset, everyday experiences can be full of opportunities to practice important academic skills—and build a love of learning that lasts all year long. Whether you're planning a road trip, a backyard staycation, or something in between, these summer learning ideas will help make every day count.  Related Posts
As the school year winds down and the sunshine calls us outdoors, it’s the perfect time to blend review activities with a little extra fun. Whether you're teaching in a classroom or homeschooling, the last few weeks of school can be full of joyful learning, memory-making, and meaningful review. Let’s look at some easy, creative ideas for wrapping up different academic areas — with a healthy dose of outdoor time, too!  Language Arts: Word Games and Story WalksInstead of sitting inside for traditional lessons, take literacy outside!
 Math: Move and CountMath review is so much more fun when it’s active!
 Science: Nature ExplorationsSpring and early summer offer natural opportunities to explore science concepts hands-on.
 Social Studies: Community ConnectionsEnd-of-year is a great time to reflect on community, kindness, and the world around us.
 Art and Creative Expression:Don't forget to mix in some open-ended, creative time!
 Kids are curious by nature. Here's a nature scavenger hunt that might be fun to try with them.  A Few Tips for a Smooth Finish:
 Whether you're soaking up the sun with story walks, building fact families in the park, or recording nature discoveries, the end of the year can be full of laughter, movement, and meaningful review. Here's to finishing strong — and having a little extra fun along the way! Related Posts It's hard to believe that I retired 9 years ago. It seems like it was yesterday. I guess that is partly because I haven't totally left school. I still volunteer with small groups a couple of times a week. I was looking back recently and I stumbled on a post I wrote when I first retired. It's interesting to see that my thoughts haven't changed much since I wrote this post. Here is an updated version.  Back To School: Reflect And Refresh There were four different things to reflect on: communication, organization, content, and big summer projects. Here are my thoughts from back then and any updates that I feel are important to add. CommunicationThen: This is very important at all times, but at the beginning of the year it is important to create relationships and help new students and their families feel comfortable about sharing with you. Even though I won't have my own class this year, it is still important. It will also be necessary for me to maintain communication with the staff so that I can stay on top of what is happening around the school. Now: As I continue to work with students needing extra support, it will be important to make a relationship with them and let them know that they are in a safe place where they can ask questions and get extra practice. Connecting with the teachers and making sure that we are clear on what they would like me to help the children with is key. Giving them updates and sharing successes and concerns with them is also going to be key to supporting the learning.  OrganizationThen: This summer my organization took a different emphasis. I had to pack up and empty out my classroom. I had so much stuff that it took me a couple of weeks to do so. I gave lots of my material to other teachers that are just starting out, recycled and threw away material that was too old or outdated, and brought home the rest. Then I had to sort through the material that I brought home so that I can access things easily when I need them later. Now: I still have many resources that I created and that are relevant for use today when volunteering. I have organized these by subject and I have a bookshelf at school where many of them are stored. I also have some of my hands on activities filed away here at home. I have always been a collector of kids books, so I have a large collection of book sets of different levels at school for when I do reading groups. I do use some of the school's materials, but not often. I have created guided reading book studies for many of the books, so I use those. When I need specific resources for different activities, I make copies from the resources that I have created.  ContentThen: I am looking forward to creating materials for my colleagues. I will still be able to work with kids while trying them out in real situations. The content will be determined by the curriculum being taught by my colleagues and by their requests for materials. Now: Resources I use are based on the needs of the students I work with. I try to coordinate what I am doing with themes that the class is working on so that they support each other. If I make resources to use with the students, I often give a copy to the teacher as well.  My Big Summer ProjectThen: I am hoping to develop more materials for my TPT store so that I can help to impact student learning even while retired. I am learning so much about how to improve the appearance of my products and my storefronts. It will be a big job, but I am excited to continue learning and improving. Now: This is still my hope, but with new changes to the TPT site, I am making more changes to the appearance and information about my resources. I plan to continue updating more resources and improving them.  Well, there you have a then and now recap of my reflections and refreshments. I plan to continue to add more value to what I am creating and I will share this with you in future posts. For now, I hope that you are enjoying your summer and that you are taking some time to do some reflecting and refreshing as well.  Here's a task card template that you may enjoy using for creating an activity while you are slowly transitioning from vacationing to planning mode in the next few weeks. Stay tuned for some back to school tips and ideas for planning the first weeks of school. 
Some of my colleagues and other teachers here in Canada are just starting their summer breaks, so they may want to put this information aside for awhile and revisit it in a few weeks. For other teachers who are halfway through their summer break, if you are anything like me, your brain is starting to think about the next school year.  At first, it's just a few ideas and possible lesson thoughts, but gradually the thoughts increase and start to invade your dreams and nighttime moments. This isn't necessarily bad, but if it starts to take over your thoughts and cause stress, something needs to be done to reduce the stress.  Years ago I learned the hard way that it doesn't always pay to have everything planned in detail too far in advance. In our district and many others across Canada, class sizes and grades can be subject to change after the beginning of the school year based on school enrollment and budgets. I remember taking a trip during the early part of the summer and then planning a whole unit for school startup based on some of the ideas and material I gathered during that trip. I had the bulletin boards done and the materials all prepared, when I was told that my grade was going to change. All the work I had done was for naught as it was too difficult for the new grade. I was so disappointed that I had to give up on the idea and come up with a different plan.  Fast forward to today, and my advice for teachers is to choose some ideas and broad concepts that can be taught to the grade above and below what you are expecting to teach and build on them for the beginning of the year. Not only will the material be more appropriate for whatever grade you are given, but it also will provide some differentiation for those who need more support and those who need enrichment. After my above mentioned episode, this was the strategy I began to use and it worked well for me for the remaining years of my teaching.  Coming up with creative ideas that will capture the attention of your students can be difficult at times, but it's worth it. Take some time during your summer break to think of what kinds of activities capture your attention and see if there's a way of incorporating that feeling into lessons you plan for the beginning weeks of school. You may be amazed at some of the ideas that you will come up with.  Because summer time is different for everyone, many children will not do as much work on practicing skills learned during the year, so you will need to be prepared to do review of many of these skills with them when school resumes. Finding activities that help with review and are engaging for those who need less review can be a challenge. Try using some activities that involve real world situations so that you can motivate your students to participate more readily. Hands on activities and concrete examples work best with younger children as they are not always ready for abstract work. Even those who do have that mastered enjoy the hands on activities. Take advantage of this and the engagement will help them to review and reinforce skills so they are ready to continue learning more advanced concepts.  The weather is usually still great for getting outdoors, so take advantage of it and plan some lessons for outside. If you add in an element of play or physical activity to the lessons you will involve more of the whole child instead of just the intellectual part. Here's an example that I used when I was teaching music. We would play a version of California Kickball. I was the pitcher and before I threw the ball, the person who was up had to correctly tell me what rhythm I was clapping or answer another musical question. This could be adapted to answering a math question or a science fact or whatever topic you choose, but it combined some form of academics with the game. Maybe you could do something similar with foursquare or a skipping game.  These are just a few tips to consider as you are spending time relaxing during the summer. Try to remember to enjoy your time off and not get too caught up in the planning for the next school year yet. There will be time for deeper planning as the break gets nearer to the end.  Related Post
For some, summer break is just beginning, and for others, it is halfway through. This is a time for having fun, enjoying family time and friends, and taking time away from school studies. However, learning and practicing skills doesn't have to end. It just needs to be approached in a different way. Just think of all the different things that can be done during the summer that can be turned into learning experiences. All we need to do is stop and take a closer look and we can see math and science all around us. We can learn about social studies and practice our skills during our outdoor adventures.  Camping ActivitiesCamping is a great way to explore nature and learn more about the environment. It's a family time that can lead to many adventures and discoveries. There are many different types of activities that can be done that can enrich the learning experience. Go on hikes and explore the trails and the different scenery. This provides opportunities to make comparisons between different areas and what can be found there. It's also a great way to get exercise. Going on nature walks is a great way to get to learn more about the different plants and animals that are local to the area.  Scavenger Hunt And Nature ArtOrganize a scavenger hunt where family members search for specific plants, insects, rocks, and other natural items. Create a scavenger hunt list that includes different types of leaves, birds, insects, and rocks. As you find each item, discuss interesting facts about them. For example, talk about the lifecycle of a butterfly or the different types of rocks and how they form. This activity promotes observation skills and teaches about local plants and animals. Use natural materials collected during the scavenger hunt to create art projects. Make leaf rubbings, paint rocks, or create a nature collage. This promotes creativity and appreciation for nature.  Beach AdventuresSpending time at the beach and summer vacations go hand in hand, so use this time to have fun and learn at the same time. Depending on where the beach is and what kind of water body it is can provide different experiences. Rivers and lakes will be different from the sea or ocean and they will provide a different landscape to discover. Depending on where you are, you can collect shells, build sandcastles, and explore tide pools. This could be a great time to discuss the purposes and similarities or differences of the different water bodies as well how they behave in different manners.  Vacation TravelsIf you go on trips or outings, have children keep a travel journal. They can write about the places they visit, draw pictures, and note interesting facts. This activity enhances writing skills and geographical knowledge. Before leaving, check out different special activities, landmarks, and events that may be happening and plan to incorporate some of these in your itinerary. You could explore local museums that focus on art, history, science or culture. You could also attend local festivals to experience traditional music, dance, food and crafts. These are all good ways to learn about the culture and history behind the celebrations. If you are going to areas that are more isolated or away from city centers, you could do activities that explore the area and create memories of the experiences.  Day Trip ActivitiesIf you wish to stay close to home or take day trips, there are many types of activities that can be done to enrich learning experiences. Here are a few ideas. Spend a day at a science center or planetarium. Participate in hands-on experiments and watch educational shows about space and science. Visit aquariums and zoos to learn about marine life and animals. Attend feeding sessions and educational talks. Visit a local farm to learn about agriculture and animal care. Participate in activities like picking fruits, feeding animals, and milking cows. Go geocaching, and search for hidden caches while learning about the locations you visit.  It's important for kids to have fun this summer and enjoy being with family and friends. But I would also like to encourage you to help them take some time to learn more about the world around them and keep building on the skills they learned throughout the school year. This will set them up for success in the new school year.  Related Posts
Summer time is supposed to be fun, but we don't want kids to stop learning for a couple of months so here are some ideas to keep the learning happening while enjoying the summer break. Many of these ideas can be used throughout the year as well. Math happens all around us, but we often overlook it. There are so many different real world activities that can be done that involve math. Here are a few ideas to try.  Measurement activitiesCooking and baking are great ways to practice using measurement and then enjoying the food afterwards. When measuring ingredients, kids get practice with fractions, addition, multiplication, and division. They also get to learn about temperatures. For more measurement practice, use rulers, tape measures, or measuring cups to measure objects around the house. Compare lengths, weights, and volumes to practice measurement skills.  Outdoors activitiesKids love to be outdoors during the summer, so take advantage of that time to incorporate some math activities. Sports is a great way to do math. Kids can keep score, calculate averages, and measure times and distances. For example, how far they can throw a ball or how long they can run. Get out into nature with math. Kids can collect natural items like leaves, rocks, or flowers and use them for counting, sorting, and pattern-making activities. They can explore concepts like symmetry and classification. They could also do a math scavenger hunt where they look for different shapes, patterns, and objects.  Working With MoneyThere are a few different ways that money lessons and practice can be done. Here are some ideas to consider. 1. Create a store and practice counting money, making change, and budgeting. 2. Go shopping. Give the kids a budget and let them help with making a shopping list, comparing prices, and calculating totals. 3. Do a yard sale and let the kids have an area or table where they can sell some of their things. Let them take responsibility for handling the money for their sales. They could also have a lemonade stand or sell cookies as part of this activity.  Physical activitiesAdding movement or physical activity to math can help reinforce concepts in a fun way. Here are some ideas to consider. 1. Use jumping rope, clapping games, or songs to practice skip counting and multiplication tables. 2. Solve math problems while playing hopscotch. 3. Do some timed running activities and practice graphing the results afterwards.  Critical thinking/Spatial reasoning activitiesBeing able to think critically and reason spatially are skills that require practice. Jigsaw puzzles and games of logic work well here. Many board game activities can also work. Building things also helps. Here are a few ideas to try. 1. Use building toys like LEGO or blocks to explore geometry and spatial reasoning. Challenge children to build specific shapes or structures and discuss their properties. 2. Solve number puzzles and riddles together. You can find these in puzzle books or online, and they help with logical thinking and problem-solving skills. 3. Work on jigsaw puzzles, Sudoku, or other logic puzzles that require spatial reasoning and critical thinking.  This is only a small sampling of things that can be done to incorporate math activities into real world situations while having fun. They will enjoy doing these kinds of activities and reinforce or maintain their skills without them even realizing it. After all, summer is supposed to be a break from school so doing lots of worksheets and math lessons is not really the way to get the kids engaged when they just want to get outdoors and enjoy their break.  Related Posts
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About Me Charlene Sequeira
I am a wife, mother of 4, grandmother of 9, and a retired primary and music teacher. I love working with kids and continue to volunteer at school and teach ukulele. 
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