"Do not go where the path leads;
Rather, go where there is no path and leave a trail."
-Emerson

Summer is coming and teachers and students everywhere know it! Looking for recommendations for summer activities that will help keep kids thinking, reading and sharpening those digital skills even while on summer vacation? These links will help. Thanks to Jerry Blumengarten and Judy Curtis for their recommendations!

Now that I've moved to a monthly format, I will be publishing July and August issues of the ITN. These issues will help keep the wheels turning as you plan for another exciting year of fun and learning in your classroom!

Next month's issue takes a break from professional topics, offering recommended recreational reading for teachers. I really need to hear from you the next few weeks with the best new titles you've read. We will all benefit from your suggestions! Please send your recommendations (title, author and why it's one of your top picks for reading) to walter@surfaquarium.com by May 24, 2003. Thanks!

DLTKs Summer Activities - http://www.dltk-kids.com/crafts/summer/index.html

DLTK and her Dad have put together this collection of great summer fun ideas for kids aged 4 - 8. Here you'll find crafts, games, puzzles, printable activity sheets, recipes, summer themes and links to additional online resources.

Josie has a Secret - http://www.jitterbug.com/josie/index.html

Looking for another way to get them reading? Josie Has a Secret is a full-length Web-based novel published by Jitterbug Fantasia, a web magazine intended for children aged fifteen and over. It is was written by Kristen Brennan and illustrated by Kris Dresen and contains thirteen chapters.

Kids' Avenue - http://www.aaa.com/misc/mainpg.htm

Kids' Avenue promotes kids sharing their vacation experiences with their peers through Stuff to See, Places to Go and Things to Do. In addition to learning about other great summer vacations, children can post their own recommendations for great kid travels.

My Summer Vacation -- On the Internet! - http://www.education-world.com/a_lesson/lesson070.shtml

Education World offers this virtual scavenger hunt based on the travels of Kate and Matt. Each stop includes a link to a URL wherein students must find the answer to a specific question in order to complete the hunt successfully. Great practice for research and Net navigation!

National Geographic Book Club - http://www.nationalgeographic.com/bookclub/

Summer reading is always a great idea, and summer reading promoted by National Geographic makes it even better! Great recommended reading lists, the opportunity to be a featured book reviewer, and links to other NG sites - and you have to check out the Book Mark Factory!

911 Safety Rage - http://library.thinkquest.org/J001802/

This ThinkQuest Junior entry presents safety tips for hiking and swimming as well as fire safety. There's a school beach hiking game, coloring activities, and a collection of safety friends. Perfect for younger students!

Popsicle - http://www.popsicle.com/

All the things that conjur up summer memories when you say 'popsicle' are offered here to give kids a safe, fun place to hamg out this summer. A word of caution - adults have been known to enjoy a popsicle or two in the summer months!

Rainbow Magic Summer - http://www.rainbow-magic.com/holidays/summer/index.html

Here's an elementary-level site that offers puzzles, games, stories, recipes, music and links all around the theme of summer. Children can learn how to make lemonade while reading "The Lemonade Stand" and planning their daily boredom busters!

Roadside America - http://www.roadsideamerica.com/

Whether you're planning to hit the road or pining for a getaway, Roadside America will offer you a fun glimpse at all kinds of offbeat stops along America's highways. You can search by state or town, and the Hypertours are definitely worth seeing!

Seashells - http://www.seashells.org/

Dedicated to beachcombers everywhere, this site offers detailed instructions on classifying, cleaning and showcasing your finds on the beach this summer. Great pics - here is also nice section on preserving sealife. Avoid the link to a commercial catalogue.

Summer Reading - http://www.education-world.com/summer_reading/

Education World brings together these summer reading lists by grade levels K-8 through contributions by their readers and recommendations by Barnes and Noble. The site includes collections of summer book activities that help to enrich and extend the book experience for vacationing students.

Wayback: Summer Vacation - http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/amex/kids/summer/

The American Experience at PBS presents this nostalgic look at some of America's favorite vacation hotspots. Can you guess which top spots might be on the list? Be sure to check out the features on Summer Camp, Miami Beach and Car Camping!

 

Find More Great Resources at

 

Next Month's Topic: "Teacher Summer Reading"

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You can email URL's of high quality sites which may be of interest to our readers as well as new topic ideas and input and feedback!

 

 

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