Combine summer fun and learning
THE ACADEMIC CORNER

As our school year comes to a close, students and parents alike will be looking for enriching activities to filltheir summer schedules. The Mary Willis Library will begin the Vacation Reading Club on Saturday, May 24. Children will receive information about this valuable program at their schools. The kickoff begins at 10:00 with a Magic Show at the library. This year's theme is "Catch the Reading Bug!"

Here are some other ideas from the Partnership for Learning for you and your children to have a fun and stimulating summer. These ideas, along with many others, can be found at www. partnershipforleaming.org:

Art Projects. Save up loose change and head to the craft store to findan inexpensive project to do together. It might involve counting and sorting, or mixing ingredients to make paint or clay.

Word games. Grocery stores and discount stores have inexpensive puzzle books with crosswords and word search puzzles. Sit down together and solve a puzzle!

Plan a vacation together. Visit the library or go online together to findout all you can about the place you plan to visit this summer. Read maps and guidebooks. List the places you want to see along the way. Plan a budget for the trip as well. A fifth- or sixthgrade child can even help calculate gas mileage every time you fillthe tank!

Make a scrapbook of photos and mementos of your summer trip. Have your child write out captions below each item.

Write a family newsletter and produce it on the computer.

Make cookies together. Have your child read the directions to you. Let him measure the ingredients. For a challenge, double the recipe and have him figure out the new measurements!

Make a list of regular summer jobs. Doing household chores provide important life skills and teach responsibility.

Plant a garden. If you don't have much room, plant a couple of flowers in pots. Give your child some responsibility for these growing plants, like watering and weeding. (This space paid for by the Wilkes County Board of Education.)