Summer School 2011: Week Three - Ireland

Week Three – Ireland (July 4-July 8)

Monday –

Start with a prayer
Read scriptures together as a family

Opening exercise: Where’s Columbus?

Explanation: Columbus has hidden clues for us to learn about our first country, and we need to find them in order to know where we’re traveling next. We’ll all need to work together to find the clues…

Clue #1: The place we’re going is lush and green…sheep graze on grass all day to grow thick wool…when the sheep are shorn, the wool is made into a kind of thick thread called _________.

Clue #2: A long time ago, the poor farmers of this country mainly grew one vegetable…and in 1845-1852 a disease struck that vegetable that caused it to rot. A million people died of disease and starvation during this time, and approximately a million more fled to the Americas…including some of your ancestors. This vegetable grows under the ground…what is it?

Clue #3: The people of this country love folktales and legends. Most of them revolve around the supernatural. Can you find a book featuring Scary Tales from this country?

Clue #4: This country loves the color green…in fact, it is often referred to as “The Emerald Isle”. Which room is painted a light shade of green?

After the clues are found, and the country is guessed, have the kids sit at the table and do a quick introduction of the country of Ireland. Give each child a map and flag to color. While they work, talk about facts of Ireland.

www.makingfriends.com/world/thinking_day_passport.htm

http://members.enchantedlearning.com/europe/ireland/activity.shtml

http://members.enchantedlearning.com/europe/ireland/mapquizbw.shtml

http://members.enchantedlearning.com/europe/ireland/flag.shtml

http://members.enchantedlearning.com/europe/ireland/flagquizbw.shtml

Have them include their papers in their binders

Vocabulary: Ireland, rainbow, leprechaun, potato, Dublin, myth, banshee, shamrock, sheep, potato

Explain what each word is and why it’s important to Ireland, then:

J, S, B: Write each word 3x each      N: picture match w/words

Craft: Columbus needs a helper to teach us about Ireland…someone who has a lot of luck. He has a friend named Eirnin (ER neen). Eirnin is very slick and crafty, and likes to play tricks on people. Can you guess who…or what…Eirnin is? (a leprechaun)

A lot of times, we only think about leprechauns on one day of the year…do you know what that day is? (St. Patricks Day)

But in Ireland…leprechauns are around every day of the year. They are very tricky. Rumor has it, that if you catch one, he has to tell you where he’s hid his pot of gold!! 

Let me read you a story…(read Leprechauns Never Lie)

Eirnin is a very special type of leprechaun…he doesn’t have gold…but he has lots and lots of luck…SPECIAL luck…the kind of luck that helps kids do well in school and have fun learning.

Do you think we can help Columbus catch his friend Eirnin so he can give us the luck we need to learn about Ireland??

http://familyfun.go.com/crafts/to-catch-a-leprechaun-710897/

Fun Snack: Use Lucky Charms to bait the Leprechaun…put extras in baggies to eat later during the movie…

Journal: If you could catch a leprechaun, and ask him for any wish…what would it be?

At this point, we should be just about done for the day with our “lesson”. However…we are going to walk to the library, and when we get back, we will probably go swimming at the pool or have lunch first and THEN go swimming. After swimming, when it’s time to “wind-down” in the afternoon, we can have a time set aside to read…and watch the movie for the day. Then, if the kids want, they can practice Spanish. This will usually take place during a time of day that it is storming…so they will be good indoor activities to keep kids busy and engaged. I’m always trying to avoid the: “Momma, what can I doooooo?” .

Library: Walk to the library and have kids sign out books…everyone getting AT LEAST one on Ireland.

Swimming

Reading : read books from library. Or read from books on Ireland at home. Introduce this weeks Book Report Activity…Reading Rainbow. A story fact goes into each color of the rainbow.

http://members.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/stpatrick/Rainbow.shtml

Movie: Darby O’Gill and The Little People

Computer : Everyone gets to study Spanish for their lesson






Tuesday –

Start with a prayer
Read scriptures together as a family

Opening Exercise:  Beach Day!! (no lessons today)


Wednesday –

Start with a prayer
Read scriptures together as a family

On Wednesdays, we’ll be cooking food from the countries we are learning about. Everyone will get a chance to help.

Opening exercise: Read a book on Ireland

Cooking: Irish Soda Bread

While kids are taking turns baking their own Irish Soda Bread, the others can work on their vocabulary and journaling activities

Vocabulary: J, S, & B: Write definitions for each word using the computer or dictionary…help each other out!! 

N: Write each word in your best handwriting

Math: After Vocab, do this…

www.abcteach.com/directory/seasonalholidays/st_patricks_day/ )

Journal:  Imagine that a young Irish immigrant has magically time-travelled to our day. You need to get him/her up-to-date with the times!! What do you do?

Movie: Today is Dollar Movie Day at Regal…go to the movies!!

Swimming

Reading: Special reading time…either individually or as a family

MORE Movies: If additional indoor time is needed due to weather…watch Far and Away

Computer: Spanish Lessons

Thursday –

Start with a prayer
Read scriptures together as a family

Have kids dressed in bathing suits today.

Opening Exercise:  I’m going to do a little experiment…and it’s a clue to as what we’re learning about today. Let’s do it…and see if you can guess what we’re going to learn about…

http://www.kidzone.ws/science/rainbow.htm

Science: This experiment helps explain how rainbows are made…

http://www.free-science-fair-projects.net/science-fair-projects-on-light-and-rainbows.html

Let’s go outside and make our own rainbow…

Make a Rainbow

What You Will Need:

• a garden hose (connected to a faucet outside)
• a sunny day
• permission to go outside and use the hose

What To Do:

1. Get the hose and turn the faucet on.
2. Stand in a spot where the sun is behind you, shining on your back. (You will be able to see your shadow in front of you when the sun is behind you.)
3. Put your thumb over part of the nozzle of the hose so that the water creates a spray when it comes out.
4. Hold the hose out in front of you and turn slowly. Keep you finger over the hose to make a spray. Watch for a rainbow to appear above the water.

What's Happening?

A rainbow should appear just above the spray of water from your hose when sunlight hits the water at the right angle. The water from the hose does the same things that rain does to make a real rainbow in the sky - it refracts the beams of sunlight so that they separate into their different colors. You can see the colors in the rainbow that appears above the water. The rainbow you made is much smaller than one you would see in the sky. Do you know why? It's because the water from your hose is only spraying in a small area. If there were more drops of water for the sunlight to hit, you would see a larger rainbow. 

Let kids play in the water…everyone has a turn making a rainbow…

Vocabulary: J, S, B: write a fully structured and grammatically correct sentence using the vocabulary words. Be creative!!

N: draw a picture for each word on a 10-frame paper

Math: Have everyone open a package of Skittles and graph how many colors are in each package. 

Special Snack: Make rainbow cupcakes

Journal: 

“Look kids,”  Mom said, “there’s a rainbow!!”

Sure enough, a giant rainbow was arched across the sky. It seemed to be right over the house.

“Mom,” said Joseph, looking very excited, “I think the rainbow is ending right at the park across the lake!! Look, can you see that golden glow just above the trees?”

“I see it!! I see it!!” Brigham exclaimed, jumping up and down. Nicolette started jumping excitedly next to Brigham. She could see the beautiful rainbow and the glittering glow, too.

“Joseph…I think you’re right!! What should we do?”

“I know what we should do!!” Savannah exclaimed.

What happens next?

Swimming

Reading : Special time set aside for reading, either individually or as a family.

Special Snack: Frost Rainbow Cupcakes (with “cloud” frosting) and enjoy!!

Movie: The Secret of Kells

Computer :  Spanish lessons


Friday –

Start with a prayer
Read scriptures together as a family

Opening Exercise:  Today is a more “grown-up” version of Ireland. We will be watching a PBS documentary called “In Search of Ancient Ireland” that tells a lot about Irish history and lore. It is 3 hours long…and may carry over into later in the day…

Vocabulary Test Today With Prizes For Correct Answers!!

Movie: In Search of Ancient Ireland

Journaling, and Art: Make a travel brochure for Ireland…highlight special features, interesting facts, local lore…whatever you feel would make someone WANT to travel to Ireland. Draw pictures. Do your very best work…(can be worked on while watching the show)

Swimming

Finish Movie and/or Reading (whichever order best suits the day)

Computer: Spanish lessons

Book Reports: Fun activity where kids can present books they are reading…present Reading rainbow mobiles.

http://members.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/stpatrick/Rainbow.shtml

Summer School 2011: Week Two - Basic Mapping Skills

 
Week Two - Basic Mapping Activities (June 20-24)

Websites: http://egsc.usgs.gov/isb/pubs/teachers-packets/mapshow/

Monday –

Start with a prayer
Read scriptures together as a family

Opening exercise: In order to properly study geography…we have to be familiar with maps. After all, we have to know where we are going!!! We’re going to need the help of our trusty explorer friend, Columbus, again…

Make clues to locate Columbus…either as a Treasure Hunt, or with cardinal directions.

1.      Stand at tree with the rope swing. Turn to face East. Take 10 steps and look for a rock with a strange symbol.

2.      Turn towards the south  and go 20 paces. Turn to face West and walk until you reach something that is against the law to park in front of.

3.      Face North. Look for a flower the same color as the fire hydrant. 

4.      Turn East and locate a portal. Pass through the portal and into the dwelling. Continue North until you reach something on your right that ascends. Take the ascension until you reach higher ground. Look for a marker to give you further instructions.

(at the top of the stairs, lay out an arrow on the floor made of sticks pointing into the boys room. Make another arrow just inside the boys room pointing to a dresser. Hide Columbus in one of the drawers)

Vocabulary: Map, North, South, East, West, Compass, Key, Mile, Globe, Scale, Legend

J, S, B: Write each word 5x each      N: picture match w/words

Craft: http://members.enchantedlearning.com/crafts/box/treasurechest/

Mapping Activity: Give each child a small treasure to hide within the house. On a sheet of white paper, have each child draw a map of the house and to mark the location of the treasure with an “X”. Also, have everyone write directions for how to find the treasure near the bottom or on the back of his map. Collect the maps, the redistribute them to the kids. Let them find each others treasures and keep them!!

Fun Snack: We’re going to decorate sugar cookies like Compass Roses today and eat them!!

Journal: If you could travel anywhere is the world…where would you go…and why?

At this point, we should be just about done for the day with our “lesson”. However…we are going to walk to the library, and when we get back, we will probably go swimming at the pool or have lunch first and THEN go swimming. After swimming, when it’s time to “wind-down” in the afternoon, we can have a time set aside to read…and watch the movie for the day. Then, if the kids want, they can practice Spanish. This will usually take place during a time of day that it is storming…so they will be good indoor activities to keep kids busy and engaged. I’m always trying to avoid the: “Momma, what can I doooooo?” .

Library: Walk to the library and have kids sign out books…everyone getting AT LEAST one on geography, traveling, or a country they are interested in.

Swimming

Reading : read books from library. Or read from books on geography at home. Introduce Book Report activity for the week…the kids will have to create a “Story Treasure Map”…a map that looks like a treasure map and takes kids from point to point in the plot…

Movie: National Treasure

Computer : Everyone gets to study Spanish for their lesson

Tuesday –

Start with a prayer
Read scriptures together as a family

Opening Exercise:  Beach Day!! (no lessons today)

Movie (For Later in the Day): National Treasure 2

Wednesday –

Start with a prayer
Read scriptures together as a family

On Wednesdays, we’ll be cooking food from the countries we are learning about. Everyone will get a chance to help. Since there isn’t a specific country we’re studying this week, we’re going to just make a family favorite that goes along with today’s theme.

Opening exercise: Today we’re going to “pretend” to travel to Yaya and Papas house. To start, we’re going to play “Yaya Says”…make signs for outside that have all 4 cardinal directions. Have kids “travel” to Yaya’s by moving according to the oral directions given by Yaya. 

Mapping Activity: Complete Worksheets 1 and 3 in The Mailbox Theme Series Map Skills: Primary Edition. After Worksheet 3, present them with their own “map” of the kitchen. Have a clue for each child where they have to follow directions and the map to locate items needed to make Chocolate Chip Cookies. 

Make cookies together.

1.      Enter kitchen from the North. Travel South until you see 4 plastic containers. Open the one that is the farthest East.

2.      One ingredient is kept in the only appliance on the North wall. The ingredient is oval, and breaks easy.

3.      Leave the kitchen and turn West. Go to the third storage unit, on the 4^th compartment. Find 2 kinds of sugar, white flour, and Crisco butter sticks.

4.      Enter the kitchen again and travel South. Locate a cupboard above the counter. In the East side is a bottle of good-smelling liquid that tastes really bad.

5.      Turn West. Find an appliance that gets things hot. Inside you’ll find the BEST ingredient of all.

6.      Enter the kitchen from the North. Turn West and travel forward until you cannot walk any further. Look for a big, shiny bowl to mix everything in.

7.      Stand in the middle of the kitchen. Turn and face North. Walk forward about 8 steps and turn West. Find a shelf with cookbooks. Locate a paper with writing on it.

Cooking: Chocolate Chip Cookies

Vocabulary: J, S, & B: Write definitions for each word using the computer or dictionary…help each other out!! 

N: Write each word in your best handwriting

Journal: What is your favorite thing to do when visiting Yaya and Papa? Tell a story about it.

Movie: Today is Dollar Movie Day at Regal…go to the movies!!

Ramona & Beezus or Yogi Bear

Swimming

Reading: Special reading time…either individually or as a family

MORE Movies: Treasure Planet

Computer: Spanish Lessons

Thursday –

Start with a prayer
Read scriptures together as a family

Opening Exercise: Today we’re going to be PIRATES!!! Pirates were masters at reading maps…

We’re going to start by doing a series of activities from my Map Skills book…all about One-Eyed Charlie, the pirate. The activities are easy and fun…maybe challenging for Nicolette and Brigham, but WAY BELOW what Joseph and Savannah can do…that’s okay, because they can help their younger siblings with the work…

Worksheet Practice: Worksheets 1-5 on pages 43-48 in The Mailbox Theme Series Map Skills: Primary Edition

Language and Grammer: This is a fun activity from Family Fun…have the kids read the text and unscramble the words/correct the spelling, and copy it correctly into their binders.

http://familyfun.go.com/playtime/read-the-curesed-text-708511/

Vocabulary: J, S, & B: write a fully structured and grammatically correct sentence using the vocabulary words. Be creative!!

N: draw a picture for each word on a 10-frame paper

Read How I Became A Pirate, and then…Journal: If you were kidnapped by pirates, how would you escape?

Swimming

Reading : Special time set aside for reading, either individually or as a family.

Special Snack:  Make Pirate Treasure Trail Mix

• ¼  cup Hard Tack (Life or Cinnamon Toast Crunch Cereal)
• 10  Creatures of the Deep (Swedish Fish)
• 10 Peg Legs (small rod pretzels)
• 5 Shipwrecked Bones (dried bananas)
• 1 TBS Dried Scurvy Eyeballs (Golden Raisins)
• ¼ cup Pirate Treasure (M & M's)
• 10 pieces salted meat (chopped up Slim Jims)
• 1 TBS Parrot Poo (peanuts)

Movie:  Pirates of the Caribbean

Computer :  Spanish lessons

Friday –

Start with a prayer
Read scriptures together as a family

Opening Exercise: I’m going to show you a word…and I want you to guess what it means:

(have this written on a large piece of paper) Cartography.

(give kids a chance to guess, and then tell them…)

Cartography is the science of reproducing all or part of the earth with as little distortion as possible. Since the earth is nearly spherical, a globe is the most accurate representation of the surface of the earth. Maps, however, are more practical since they are flat, portable, and less expensive to produce. Maps can also show a representation of the entire earth at one time.

A variety of different maps exists to serve specific needs. Political maps show the boundaries of governmental units such as countries, states, and provinces. Topographical maps (physical maps) show the shapes of landforms such as mountains and valleys. Transportation maps show highways, railroads, and airports, in addition to cities and points of interest. Economic or produce maps show the distribution of mining, manufacturing, and agriculture for a specific area.

Worksheet Practice: Miner Worksheets 1-5 on pages 35-39 in The Mailbox Theme Series Map Skills: Primary Edition

Vocabulary Test Today With Prizes For Correct Answers!!

Special Activity: Make a map for the kids to follow and have them go out and “dig” for jewels (Ring Pops) in the yard.

Swimming

Reading: Special time set aside for reading, either individually or as a family.  

Movie: Titan A.E.

Computer: Spanish lessons

Book Reports: Present Book Report activity for the week…the kids will have to create a “Story Treasure Map”…a map that looks like a treasure map and takes kids from point to point in the plot…

Summer School 2011: Week One - Basic Geography

Week One - Basic Geography (June 13-17, 2011)

Monday –

Start with a prayer
Read scriptures together as a family

Opening exercise: This summer, we’re going to study Geography. We are going to “travel” to different countries. 

In order to help us, we’re going to host a special guest. He is a great explorer, and has been all around the world. He’s going to be our own personal travel guide. The only thing is…he’s kinda forgetful, and sometimes, he gets so excited about what he’s doing that he forgets where he is.

That means we’ve got to find him. Luckily, he leaves clues…so if we are very clever, we can figure out the clues to find where he is.

Make clues to locate Columbus…either as a Treasure Hunt, or with cardinal directions.

CLUES:

Look under something that you sit on and is long and soft.(couch)

---

Look under something that has 88 keys. (piano)

---

For the next clue, find Harry Potters favorite method of travel. (broom)

---

Look under the living room fcoefe blate (unscramble these words). (coffee table)

---

Look under a _____ (this word rhymes with dare) in the biggest room in the house. (chair)

---

Look on the back of the television.

---

Look near the old-fashioned clock. (hour glass)

---

Look under the cushion of a seat that loves you. (love seat)

---

For the next clue, decode the message using this key:
A  B  C  D E  F  G  H  I  J   K   L  M   N   O    P   Q   R    S   T    U   V   W   X   Y    Z
1   2   3   4  5  6  7   8  9 10 11 12  13  14  15  16  17  18  19  20  21  22   23  24  25  26

12 15 15 11 21 14 4 5 18 20 8 5 11 9 20 3 8 5 14 19 9 13 11

(Look under the kitchen sink)

---

Go to the laundry room. Find the spray starch.

---

Look on an object in the living room that you would use on a rainy day. (umbrella)

---

Are you sure that you really want the treasure? Outside, look near the xalmiobs (unscramble this word). (mailboxes)

---

The next clue is in the flowers from Hawaii. (plumeria)

---

If you dare to continue, look on something that has two-tires. (bicycle)

---

Go play Tarzan and see what you find. (Columbus is in the tree on the rope swing)

Vocabulary: River, Mountain, Ocean, Lake, Island, Country, Continent, Desert, Plateau, Regions, Continent, Country

J, S, B: Write each word 5x each      N: picture match w/words

Today we are using excerpts from a lesson on Discovery Education: 

(http://www.discoveryeducation.com/teachers/free-lesson-plans/exploring-the-worlds-geography.cfm)

The lesson is geared around their 3-part DVD series, which they sell for $59.95. Since I can in no way afford that, I am improvising (it’s what I do best!!)

Craft: We are going to learn about our Earth and different landforms…and to do that, we need to make a big model of the Earth...

Make papier-mache globes…these will take quite a while to dry…so the goal is to just get the paste paper on the balloon today, and let them dry a couple days…

 Fun Snack: Rice Krispie Earths

1/4 cup margarine

40 regular marshmallows

1/2 tsp. vanilla

6 cups rice krispies

green and blue food coloring

Melt margarine and marshmallows over medium heat in a large pot, stir in vanilla and rice rispies. Divide into two bowls. Add green food coloring to one bowl and blue food coloring to the second. Stir.

Allow the children to take a scoop from the blue bowl and a scoop from the green bowl and mash them together in a ball (the earth). Set the balls aside until completely cool.

Journal: Imagine you could create your own country. Think about what it would look like, and where it would be located. Brainstorm some ideas in your journals about the location of your country (by the sea? In the North?), it’s size (is it a big country, with lots of borders, or a small island?), and geographic features it would have (Mountain ranges? Grassy Plains? Sticky Swamps?). Write these ideas down in your journal for later use…

http://www.educationworld.com/a_lesson/02/lp287-01.shtml

At this point, we should be just about done for the day with our “lesson”. However…we are going to walk to the library, and when we get back, we will probably go swimming at the pool or have lunch first and THEN go swimming. After swimming, when it’s time to “wind-down” in the afternoon, we can have a time set aside to read…and watch the movie for the day. Then, if the kids want, they can practice Spanish. This will usually take place during a time of day that it is storming…so they will be good indoor activities to keep kids busy and engaged. I’m always trying to avoid the: “Momma, what can I doooooo?” .

Library: Walk to the library and have kids sign out books…everyone getting AT LEAST one on geography, traveling, or a country they are interested in.

Swimming

Reading : read books from library. Or read from books on geography at home.

Introduce Book Report activity for the week… Since the books we’re reading this week will most likely be non-fiction and educational, our book reports will be:

Each child creates a "Ten Facts About [book title]" sheet that lists ten facts he or she learned from reading the book. The facts, written in complete sentences, must include details they didn't know before reading the book.

Movie: National Geographic: Amazing Planet (in Instant Queue)

Computer : Everyone gets to study Spanish for their lesson

Tuesday –

Start with a prayer
Read scriptures together as a family

Opening Exercise:  Beach Day!! (no lessons today)

Movie (for later in the day): National Geographic: Amazing Planet (in Instant Queue)

 

Wednesday –

Start with a prayer
Read scriptures together as a family

On Wednesdays, we’ll be cooking food from the countries we are learning about. Everyone will get a chance to help. Since there isn’t a specific country we’re studying this week, we’re actually going to do a food-related activity.

Opening exercise: Today we’re going to take ideas from a National Geographic lesson:

http://www.nationalgeographic.com/xpeditions/lessons/03/g35/pizza.html

and have the kids do the activities to locate all the pizzerias in our area by using phone books and local maps. Then, after the activity, we’ll watch to Publix and get ingredients to make our own pizzas. Then we'll probably make homemade ice cream...just for kicks!!

So I was too busy to stop and take pictures of pizzas...but I DID get my ice cream maker!!

Vocabulary: J, S, & B: Write definitions for each word using the computer or dictionary…help each other out!! 

N: Write each word in your best handwriting

Craft: Have the kids paint their globes blue, and draw on the equator and the prime meridian (explaining what these mean to geography)

Our globes...drying in the sun...

 Journal: Review all your thoughts and notes about your imaginary country from the day before. Using a large piece of construction paper, draw your countries borders. Include all the features you would like it to have…mountains, coastlines, rivers, etc. Color it nicely.

Movie: Today is Dollar Movie Day at Regal…go to the movies!!

             Astro Boy or Tales of Desperaux

Swimming

Reading: Special reading time…either individually or as a family

MORE Movies: Planet Earth

Computer: Spanish Lessons

Thursday –

Start with a prayer
Read scriptures together as a family

Opening Exercise: Today we are going to work more on our globes.

Craft: Have kids use geography texts, maps, library materials, and the Internet to research the seven continents. Have them look at several examples of maps that resemble the size of the continents they should be drawing. Have them draw an outline of each continent on construction paper. Remind them that Earth's continents are not all the same size and that they should try to keep the relative sizes of the continents in mind. 

After outlining each continent, they need to use their research materials to label the geographic features.

Vocabulary: J, S, & B: write a fully structured and grammatically correct sentence using the vocabulary words. Be creative!!

N: draw a picture for each word on a 10-frame paper

Journal: Now that you have your country all drawn out, and it’s features clearly labeled, it’s time to give it an identity. What is the name of your country? What does its’ flag look like? Is it a democracy, a monarchy,  a dictatorship, a theocracy, or parliamentary? What is the predominate religion (or is there one?)? Does your country specialize in any export (do you have lots of agriculture, make automobiles, or do you import all your goods?)? Tell me all about your country, it’s people, it’s economy, it’s cuisine, and it’s government…

Draw a picture of your countries flag…

Swimming

Reading : Special time set aside for reading, either individually or as a family.

Movie:  Planet Earth

Computer :  Spanish lessons

Friday –

Start with a prayer
Read scriptures together as a family

Opening Exercise: Today we finish our globes AND our imaginary countries

Craft: Show kids a map of the world and discuss the locations of the continents on the globe. Ask them related questions (Is North America above or below the equator? Is Europe anywhere near South America?). Once they understand how to place their continents, have them cut out their paper continents, glue them to the globe, and label the oceans. Find where we live and mark it with a red star. Put yellow dots on each place we HAVE lived.

Vocabulary Test Today With Prizes For Correct Answers!!

Journal: Make a travel brochure highlighting your imaginary country. Be sure to feature all it’s points of interests, and include pertinent information on local customs and cuisine!!

Swimming

Reading: Special time set aside for reading, either individually or as a family.  

Movie: Planet Earth

Computer: Spanish lessons

Book Reports: Since the books we’re reading this week will most likely be non-fiction and educational, our book reports will be:

Each child creates a "Ten Facts About [book title]" sheet that lists ten facts he or she learned from reading the book. The facts, written in complete sentences, must include details they didn't know before reading the book.