Hello Book Bums families!
As summer break begins, I can't resist sharing the poem "The Swing" by Robert Louis Stevenson.
How do you like to go up in a swing,
Up in the air so blue?
Oh, I do think it the pleasantest thing
Ever a child can do!
Up in the air and over the wall,
Till I can see so wide,
Rivers and trees and cattle and all
Over the countryside—
Till I look down on the garden green,
Down on the roof so brown—
Up in the air I go flying again,
Up in the air and down!
Stevenson's image of flying through the air seems perfect this week as we share books and ideas about roller coasters. We're also talking about bubbles, the history of words, and of course how to keep learning over the summer with Book Bums.
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Word of the Week
gravity (gra-vit-ee) noun/person, place, or thing - 1. seriousness and significance 2. the physical force of an object pulling other objects toward its center.
The teacher quickly grasped the gravity of the situation: it was the last day of school and there were no popsicles or games!
Literary Calendar
• May 31 is National Speak in Complete Sentences Day.
• This may seem like an easy one. Surely we speak in sentences all the time; but pay attention and you may notice more abbreviations and shorthand comments than you thought.
• It’s possible to celebrate the day while texting as well. So no LOL or IMO on May 31st. If you must laugh out loud or offer your opinion, say it or type it completely, and be sure to include a subject and verb that agree.
From our Bookshelves
It’s time for some summertime fun! Pair a non-fiction book, Amazing Structures; Roller Coasters by Rebecca Pettiford and Roller Coaster by Marla Frazee
Frazee’s fictional book is a delightful story about one child’s very first roller coaster ride. It’s chock-full of onomatopoeic words (sound words), and though it is accurately described by Book list as a “rambunctious tour de force,” it’s also a tender picture of that tentative first ride experience.
Pettiford’s non-fiction book is a great way to discuss characteristics of non-fiction books while also exploring something that interests a lot of kids. Discuss text features such as the Table of Contents, headings, bold words and the glossary, images, fun facts, and even bonus activities which, in this book, includes how to “build a roller coaster” using a marble and pipe insulation.
I purchased this 15’ Blu Track Classic Starter Set for Hot Wheels cars on Amazon before I got onto my roller coaster kick, but is a great (though expensive) toy that promotes a love for motion.
If you have a big screen TV, play the following videos, inviting your kids to throw their hands up in the air and pretend they’re actually riding the roller coaster. I used to do this in my classroom, and the kids loved it! You could even line a few laundry baskets up and pretend they’re the cars.
If all this talk about roller coasters is making you want to visit King’s Island (KI) amusement park. Click on www.visitkingsisland.com for tickets.
Do you know why this image of Galileo is perfect for a newsletter discussing roller coasters? Well, it’s because Galileo, born in Pisa, Italy in 1564, studied speed, velocity, gravity, free fall, inertia, and projectile motion, of course!
Tips for Readers and Writers
If you’re thinking about tutoring for your child this summer, now is the time to schedule your free assessment! Don’t put it off because you feel guilty for not giving the kids a break. At Book Bums, we really do make the learning fun! Our students truly look forward to their weekly sessions! One on one tutoring is a great way for your child to get focused time with lots of positive feedback from someone who isn’t mom. You know how it is, right? We’ve got you. Trust me. It’ll be worth it when your child begins the next school year with confidence. We have eleven weeks off school. Let’s make the most of it!
Bonus: We’re right around the corner from The Cone. A sweet treat might turn tutoring into a fun mom & me outing!
Click below
to see all the resources that we have and to book an assessment with us!
www.bookbums.com
Tips for Families
Nothing says summer like bubbles, but that darned bubble solution goes fast! Try creating a Bubble Station using an empty laundry detergent bottle and the recipe below.
Bubble Recipe:
12 cups water
1 cup dish soap
1 cup cornstarch
2 tablespoons baking powder
Wordology Workshop
Have you ever wondered why Tevye sang, “If I were a rich man . . .” instead of “If I was a rich man”?
Here’s the deal: If you’re talking about something imaginary, use “If I were . . .” Tevye was not a rich man. Never was. He was using his imagination.
If you’re talking about something that happened, use “If I was . . .” For example, I would say, “If I was disrespectful in some way, I hope you’ll forgive me.”
How can you remember which to use when? Sing along with Tevye
Just for Fun
When asking someone to tuck something into the glove compartment of my Jeep, it occurred to me that we still call it a “glove compartment” even though I have never known anyone to stow gloves in there. I wondered aloud, “What other words do we continue to use even though they reflect an earlier era and are seemingly irrelevant today?”
Can you think of some?
I’m going to share a few, here, but challenge yourself to consider the words we use and see if you discover a few of your own.
Does anyone you know call a refrigerator an icebox?
Have you referred to a movie as a film?
My grandma called a purse her pocketbook. The original pocketbook was a book-like case, often made of leather, into which folks placed valuables. Same. These “cases” were often stored in women’s pockets which were larger back then.
Do you ever say, “I need another pair of pants”? That’s an antiquated phrase, too. Long ago, each pant leg was put on separately.
Please share what you come up with!
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