Family Fun for Free...Well Almost!

It's hard to believe, but it is true; summer is almost over and many well-intentioned parents are anxiously awaiting class lists to be posted, backpacks to be filled, and that morning school bell to ring. We all wonder if we have done enough to prepare our children for the upcoming school year. Flashcards, private tutors, and expensive gadgets are amongst the things that many parents think will give their child an advantage in the classroom. A quality education is not one that is based on the memorization of math facts or the regurgitation of historical dates. Rather, an excellent education is more about the ability to think critically, form connections, and problem-solve; these are the primary goals of the new Common Core standards. By taking trips, going on walks, or just reading together, your children will learn to question the world around them while simultaneously building schema that will be invaluable later on. It's not about how much money you can spend on your child, but rather how much time you spend with her that truly matters. Here are some simple, inexpensive family activities geared toward fostering communication and building a foundation for a successful academic career.

Freewheeling Road Trips

Road trips are great for children of any age, but they are particularly beneficial for fourth and fifth graders who will be studying the specific history of a state, as well as our nation as a whole. Teacher lectures and textbooks can only go so far, while real-life experiences can educate in a totally different, meaningful way. If a student has been lucky enough to have actually visited (or even just passed through) a place that is being discussed in class, he will have a personal connection to the curriculum. He will be able to share stories with the class, understand historical events with better context, and be able to write more in-depth than individuals who have never visited these places. Road trips are also a great opportunity to teach about mapping skills (minus the GPS) as well as geographic regions and varying cultures. Older children can take photographs and maintain a daily diary or scrapbook. State reports are almost inevitable, so take opportunities to explore various parts of the country, collect brochures, take pictures etc., in order to better prepare your kids for this classroom experiences.

Complimentary Concerts

Attending musical events, festivals, or concerts is a great way to bring the family together, as well as explore various cultures and genres of music. Summer is a particularly great time of year for concerts because many of them are held outdoors, but really, one can listen to music any time of the year. For younger learners, listening to a wide range of musical performances can help aid in overall language development. Children who are able to discern between various melodies and harmonies often have stronger phonemic awareness skills. In order to enjoy live musical performances while keeping your cost low, look for free concerts in the park or at a local venue. Community bands also have rehearsals that may welcome members of the public. Even if it is just a street performer, teach your child to pay attention to the sounds around her. Talk about the rhythms and melodies that are heard. Compare and contrast different concerts and musicians with one another. Music will also help children to work on listening skills, which will make their teachers grateful!

Appreciate Available Art

Art can be found all around us. Whether you take your family to a local art show, museum, or even make some art of your own; you can feel confident that you are truly helping your child become a more critical and connected learner. Museums often offer one or more days per month free of charge. Summer is also a great time to check out local art festivals or art walks. As you look at art, make sure to slow down and let your child express himself before any adult shares her thoughts. Encourage academic vocabulary and well-thought-out opinions about what is being seen or created. Discuss how particular art represents various moods and tones (this will be very important in literature in the later grades). Looking at art can also be beneficial for emerging readers who will be learning how to gather information from the illustrations. Children with strong observational skills will be better able to use visual sources to learn new concepts. Throughout all grade levels, students will need to rely on visual skills to be able to read and create charts, graphs, patterns, and diagrams.

Public Park Time

If your child has sloppy handwriting or trouble sitting still, more outdoor play might help. Children with ample opportunity to build gross motor skills and upper body strength have an advantage when its time to sit still, read, or write for extended periods of time. The park is free and is a great place to play games, work on coordination, and learn appropriate social behavior. Although it is tempting for a parent to sit and watch, try to engage in play-based activities as much as possible with your children. To break up the monotony, try park hopping among the various parks in your city. You may also choose to contact the local park and recreation district to find out if there are any special activities happening in the parks, such as a movie or family game night. August is a great month to spend time outside as a family;the weather is warm and the sun stays out longer!

Fun Can Be Free

Even if money is tight, the fun doesn't have to be. The more positive interactions you can experience as a family, the stronger your child will be when she is faced with something negative. Any family event can be turned academic with these few tips:

• Ask specific academic questions about what is happening.
• Slow down and explain what is going on....even if it's a flat tire.
• Let your children have a hand (literally).
• Take photographs and write captions to build a scrapbook.
• Compare and contrast new experiences with old ones.

Additional Resources:

Amelia Bedelia's Family Album

Older learners can read this classic chapter book and make connections between Amelia's crazy family and their own. This lesson plan is very well planned with additional writing prompts and vocabulary lesson ideas.

What Have You and Your Family Accomplished Together?

After reading a New York Times article about a sixth-grader, young scholars can think about the many possible tasks that they could accomplish by working with their own families. The article and writing activities are included.

Family Tree

Although this lesson plan is written for families in Arkansas, it can easily be adapted for any state. Young learners are guided through daily lessons and interviews with elders to complete their own personal family tree. A letter to the parents as well as a worksheet and tree and leaf patterns are all included.