Have Fun This Summer Without the TV!

I hope you make LOTS of time for play this summer! Try many types of activities: board games, card games, dice games, paper and pencil games, outdoor games, ball games, imaginative games. While some games are "better" than others, they can all be of some value. Some are great for fine motor skills, reading, math, spatial orientation, and building strategy. In addition, following all types of directions and rules for different games better prepares children for understanding directions for something new.

Some games we've tried in school:
UNO
Spot It!
Chutes and Ladders
Memory/ Concentration
Bingo
Blink
jigsaw puzzles
crossword puzzles
word searches
word scrambles
Legos
mazes

Other great activities to try:
Chess
Checkers
Trouble
bike riding
hidden picture puzzles
"What's Different?" pictures
I Spy books
Zoobz/ K'nex
pop beads
journal writing
shoe tying

Also consider art projects with coloring, cutting, and gluing to develop fine motor skills.
Don't forget about the OP Public Library Summer Reading Program and Longfellow's Super Summer Math, run out of Maze Library.

In addition, there are a TON of great free/ cheap computer games and apps for smart phones and tablets. Your Lexia account will still be up and running this summer, too. If you need the directions again, just let me know. While I would limit a young child's screen (TV, computer, etc) time to 30-60 minutes a day, these games can keep their brains going to maximize learning retention. 

Something for Nothing!

Fair warning: free days can be BUSY! Chicago Public Schools on a traditional schedule get out June 19th, so you might consider going before then. Please visit each website to double check dates.

Adler Planetarium
Free June 4, 5, 6, 10, 11, 12

Art Institute of Chicago
Free every Thursday from 5-8pm
Children under 14 are always free.

Lincoln Park Zoo
Always Free!

Chicago Children’s Museum at Navy Pier
Free for everyone – Every Thursday evening, 5-8pm
Free for ages 15 and under – First Sunday of every month

DuSable Museum of African American History in Hyde Park
Free on Sundays

Field Museum of Natural History
Free June 3, 5, 6

Museum of Science & Industry in Hyde Park
Free June 3 - 7, 10

National Museum of Mexican Art in Pilsen
Always free!

The Oriental Institute in Hyde Park
Always free!

Peggy Notebaert Nature Museum in Lincoln Park
Free on Thursdays

Shedd Aquarium
Free June 3, 4, 10, 11, 17, 18, 24, 25

Garfield Park Conservatory
Always free!

And last, but not least:
Millennium Park concerts - Ms. Vietzen's favorite thing about Chicago, you might see her there!
Free concerts several nights a week, so bring a picnic.  (I think this is a great way to expose children to music and concert-going without splurging on an expensive ticket.)  The green and blue lines will get you close, and, if you can keep a secret, parking in the Aon building is $6 if you're in between 3pm and 6pm.

Flip Flop Friday

Because the last day of school changed, Flip Flop Thursday will now be Flip Flop Friday.  For our kindergarten A-Z Countdown, we'll have a "day of rest" between Y and Z so Zip and Zoom Day will coordinate with Flip Flop Friday.
As a reminder, students are not normally allowed to wear flip flops to school.  This is a school policy for their safety.

Hot Lunch

Because the last day has changed, the hot lunch calendar may not have been updated.  Hot lunch on Friday, May 31, will include a beef hot dog on a whole wheat bun, steamed carrots, and red grapes.  Our class will return to school from our picnic across the street for the lunch hour, so hot lunch and milk will be available.

Super Summer Math!

Super Summer Math is designed to keep math fresh in kids’ minds over the summer. The free program is held at Maze Library   We will meet Tuesday evenings 6-7pm and Thurs mornings 10:30-11:30am at the Maze Library from June 4-July 18. Come as often as you can!  Kids earn prizes for doing math packets and will play fun math games. Parents/guardians can help coordinators distribute materials and volunteer to run math activities at the library. Please sign up by May 17 here:  Sign Up for Super Summer Math

P.E. Happenings

- ACES (All Children Exercising Simultaneously) will take place Wednesday, May 8th.  All grades will participate in different activities.  Students need to wear gym shoes.  (This was moved from 5/1 as the fence around the field had not been completely removed by 10am.)

- The FUN RUN will take place on May 11th at 8am at Lindberg Park.  Sign up sheets went home, but Mrs. Patterson has extra ones.

- Olympic Day will be held on May 17th.  Students will participate in many activities including a climbing wall.  Please make sure your child wears gym shoes, shorts or pants, and sun screen.  Kindergarten will participate from 8-11.

Incoming Kindergarten Open House

Do you have a child who will be in kindergarten at Longfellow next year? Do you know someone who will? If so, please come to (or spread the word about) Longfellow's Kindergarten Open House next Wednesday, May 8th. The event is open to all incoming parents/guardians and their soon-to-be kindergartner. Please leave siblings at home since this day is about the incoming kindergartner. We will begin with tours around the building from 2:30-3:00, there will be introductions and a short presentation in the auditorium from 3:00-3:30, and then we will end again with tours from 3:30-4:00. I hope to see you there!