May Inspire

Summer Reading Programs

While it is true that many homeschool families take a break from more structured learning in the summer season, this does not mean that all learning should be put on the shelf. In fact, your local library is waiting to partner with you as you encourage your students to “pick up a good book” this summer. Most libraries, and several well known book stores, sponsor summer reading programs that offer special activities, crafts, awards and prizes to the children that participate. If you do not have access to either a library or book store do not despair, there are even online summer reading programs that your children can become a part of. To find these programs, try going to your favorite search engine and type in “online summer reading programs”.

Summer reading Projects

While summer reading programs are a great way to help children get excited about reading, you can also add to the fun by having your children create some imaginative projects around the books they read this summer. Some project ideas are listed below to help get your creative juices flowing.

• Tape a “caterpillar head” to the wall and watch him “grow” as you add a new section to him for each book your children read. Have your children write the name and author of each book they read to each new section.
• Design a book cover for a book.
• Create riddles for characters and events in a book.
• Create a game/game board based on a book that was read.
• Design and create a mask of one of the characters from a book.
• Check the online site for the author of the book your child is reading. Many well known children’s authors have games and activities on their web sites that coincide with their books.
• Have your child create a diary or journal entry each day for one of the characters in their book.
• Act out a scene from a book using costumes and props that your children help you create.
• Design a bulletin board that depicts an event or scene from a book.
• Create a word search or cross word puzzle using vocabulary from the book. (Hint: There are free web sites that can help create these. Use your favorite search engine and type in “free online puzzle maker”)
• Give your children disposable cameras and send them out to take pictures that tell the plot of their book or that remind them of a specific scene from the book.
• If you are going on a summer vacation, have your children read books with a vacation theme. Have them create a “packing list” for your trip or for the characters in the book they have read. Have them “map out” your trip and find interesting places to visit along the way. Write a store note of items you will need to purchase for the trip and have your children help you shop.
• Create a food dish that is mentioned in a book. Have your children help you shop for the items needed to create the dish.
• Create a shoebox diorama that shows a scene from the book they have read.

Have a wonderful summer and remember to PICK UP A GOOD BOOK!

We Clean – You Save

It’s Spring and we’re cleaning house. To make room for new inventory, we’re cleaning out the warehouse. This means savings for our Calvert families. For every grade level course enrollment, you’ll receive 10% off YOUR ENTIRE ORDER. That’s 10% off enrichments. 10% off ATS. Simply enter code TN11A when you place your order. http://store.calvertschool.org/ or call us at 888-328-8285. Like always, there’s a live Calvert Enrollment Specialist ready to take your order and answer your questions. Our call center now has extended hours: Monday through Friday 8:00 AM til 7:00 PM

What’s New at Calvert for 2012/13!

There is something new in every grade this year. At Calvert, our commitment to 21st Century learning continues with updates that align curriculum with National Common Core Standards. There’s a focus on Math with the addition of new textbooks, manuals, and Virtual Nerd interactive tutorials. A new tool for Verticy Learning is introduced, Fluency Practice Booklets. Our authors have been hard at work on Geography and Composition, too. Visit http://homeschool.calvertschool.org/whats-new to see the complete list of details.

 Finishing Strong – The Secrets to Good Grades in Composition and Mathematics

Two of the most challenging subjects for children are often writing and math. Our new free webinar, Finishing Strong – The Secrets to Good Grades in Composition and Mathematics, will show you the best ways to cultivate your child’s skills without actually doing the work for them. Join Gretchen Roe, an experienced homeschool Mom, as she shares the secrets to establishing effective habits that lead to good grades in composition, grammar, and math. Using techniques that are suitable for students of all ages, you’ll learn how to guide your child from understanding the assignment to submitting a superb finished product. May 16 at 8:00 pm (EST) May 29 at 2:00 pm (EST)

And the Winners Are…

Science Fair is always a favorite time of year here at Calvert. We all enjoy seeing the entries your students submit. This year, our panel of judges has been particularly impressed with the advanced ideas postulated by the entrants. We recognize the time, dedication and hard work of these students. Congratulations to everyone who entered and kudos to our winners. Judging was a challenge with so many quality entries. Go to http://sciencefair.calvertschool.org/ for the list of winners and to watch the presentation of awards.