1. Place an ice cube outside and see how long it takes to melt.  Write down the number of minutes so 
           you can compare it to next month to see if it melts any faster.  Continue comparing how long the ice 
           cubes take to melt.  Are they melting faster or slower?  When do you think they will begin to melt slower?
           Keep track and see if you are right.

        2. Freeze water in a dixie cup overnight.  See if the ice in the dixie cup melts faster than the ice cube. 
           Why do you think this happened.

      3. Print the August calendar and circle each sunny day with a yellow marker and count how many days the 
          sun shone for the month.  Save the calendar to make comparisons with other months.

      4. Since August does not have any holidays, make up one for your family and how you would like to
         celebrate your new family holiday.  Consider what would be the best day for your celebration, what
         to call it, and what special event to do on your special family day.

Poem Activities

1.  Read the poem aloud with your child.  As you say each word point to it, so your child will learn that each word has a sound and a look.  Talk about any  individual word or phrase your child may not be sure of the meaning.  Using a dictionary to actually look up the words and read to your child will help reinforce the words, as well as demonstrate a new skill for your child. After discussing the word, have your child draw a picture to help reinforce the meaning of the word.  It doesn't need to be elaborate; just a small, quick drawing to help them remember.

2.  Make a copy of this poem and give to your child with a pencil.  Ask your child to circle the words that begin with "W" in the first line.  Repeat with other words throughout the poem.

3.  Make a copy of this poem and have your child circle individual letters in the poem.  For example, ask your child to circle all the “E” in the first line of the poem.  Ask “Can you find the longest word in the first line.”  Help your child count down the lines if they do not understand ordinal numbers.  What is the shortest line in the poem?

4.  Talk about what the poem means.   Talk about what lines in the poem are talking about summer and which lines are talking about the coming fall.  What signs do we observe in nature that tells us that fall is coming?  How do you think the geese know it is time to fly south?   If this is a hard concept for your child, skip it.  Draw a picture to illustrate the poem.

6.  Talk about the author.  Who is the author?  What is an author?  If you wrote this poem, what words would you add?  What words would you change? 

Click here to print the August calendar.

Click here to print the August calendar markers.

1. Discuss the important dates for August including any special days pertaining to your family such as birthdays or anniversaries.  Talk about the changes that usually occur in the weather and the environment.  Don't forget to talk about any special traditions your family may have for a holiday or special day.

2.  Have your child trace the word August with their finger and say each
     letter out loud.

3.  Together, count how many days are in the month, while pointing to each
     number.

4.  Discuss what the letters at the top of the calendar mean (S M T W T F S).

5. Cut out the icons representing July and any others that relate to
    your family's special days.

6. Talk about what each icon represents and paste it onto the appropriate day.

7. Draw a picture within the border of the calendar that represents an aspect
    of  August.

8. Again, count the days of the month and say the special days.

9. Hang the calendar at your child's eye level and try to refer back to it
    during the month, especially around the special occasions.

              These are just a few books on the subject of summer that you may want to explore with your child. 
              Please feel free to e-mail me the title and author of any books that you enjoy reading with your child.

The Sun is Always Shining Somewhere by Allen Fowler
A science book that introduces children to facts about the sun.  Children learn that the sun is a star and why their is night and day.  The text is very well illustrated to assist in understanding the facts.

Summer by Alice Low
This is a beginning to read book about the simple joys of summer.

Spunky's Camping Adventure by Janette Oke
This is a fun book that teaches the lesson of giving a person a chance even though you may not like them on first meeting.  Make sure you try and find Spunky's ball that is hidden on each page.

The Fourth of July Story by Alice Dalgiesh
This is a great book to teach young children about the history of the United States.  This book provides an introduction to the events and people that help shape our nation.

Happy Birthday America by Marsha Wilson Chase
This is a spectacular book of the way most families celebrate the Fourth of July with a picnic, Jello-O, parades, and fireworks all seen through the eyes of an eight year old.

 

August        (click for printer friendly poem)

The sprinkler twirls. 
   The summer wanes. 
The pavement wears 
   Popsicle stains. 

The playground grass 
  Is worn to dust. 
The weary swings 
  Creak, creak with rust. 

The trees are bored 
  With being green. 
Some people leave 
  The local scene. 

And go to seaside 
  Bungalows 
And take off nearly 
  All their clothes. 
 

John Updike