Baby it's HOT outside!

It's the middle of July, it is of course a beach day. What great fun, but don't forget some basic summer safety.

• Don't swim right after you've eaten (wait that half hour, it's worth it not to get cramps and be unable to swim while actually in the water.)
• Keep covered by a floppy hat or scarf for your head, and sunscreen for your face and body.
• Don't swim without a lifeguard or parent close by.
• Bring you bucket and shovel and be prepared to have lots of fun!

Then when you get home, have your first-grader work on an art project depicting his or her day in the sun. Sand or Manilla paper works best for this project.

Materials Needed:

• Crayons
• colored pencils
• scissors
• glue
• paper beach art printouts / magazines with beach scenes in them
• Large sheet of paper – a natural or sand color will make the project easier

So what to do now?

Have your little one decorate a sheet of paper to look like sand (might not be necessary if sand-colored paper is used). If you wish, attach two sheets of paper together for a larger scene. Then take those printouts or magazine cutouts and let your child glue them as they see fit. Odds are you will find it's a nice scene as opposed to something from Picasso...

These can also be used to make a beach mobile and hey – when your house gets too cluttered with artwork like this, have them give the artwork to Grandma as a present. She'll love it – I guarantee it.

The Red, White and Blue, with a lesson about Bullying.

The opportunity to teach your child about bullies is ever present, and you can do it with US History as well...

Have your child do a little studying on why the American Revolution happened.

• What was the real reason the Boston Tea Party happened
• Why exactly did all that tea get dumped into the harbor.
• Who were the figures involved, and where did they live?
• What were their professions outside of being Rebels against the British Monarchy?

This brings a number of things together, it allows your student to learn about history in a manner that makes it real for your child. It allows for a lesson in economics, in geography and then what were viable professions in the mid 1700's.

Now, to tie that into our current era with Bullying.

• What are reasons that your child might see another child bullied.
• Can you compare and contrast these with the Colonists here in America?
• Where might they turn to in the case of bullying that the colonists couldn't as it was a much larger scale.
• What might drive someone into bullying – physical, financial and emotional.
• How would someone or something being different maybe scare an individual or group into behavior that is considered less than acceptable in any other situation?