Avoiding the Summer Math Slide with Roundup of Ideas for Different Ages (PreK - grade 11)

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Independence Day is past. Summer is quickly passing. Kids are enjoying their break from school as are teachers. But what is happening to your kids' math ability this summer? According to Learner.com, 70-78% of elementary students experience a decline in math skills over the summer. (Source) Most schools now assign summer reading to prevent the summer slide in literary skills, but does your child's school assign summer math? Most high schools do these days. Now I am a huge advocate for a break! I love summer! It is my favorite season, and I remember the days of having nothing to do and being able to hang out with friends and relax. However, summer slide is real. (There is a slide after any vacation and the longer the vacation the more skills lost.) There are things to do to help with the math summer slide even if your child does not have math summer work. Today I am going to review two great resources for different ages to help with the summer slide or just give extra practice to two ages groups: middle grades (8+) and high school. These books are amazing resources to help with math skills and also can give students extra practice or a leg up on the upcoming math year. At the end of the post, I have a roundup for different ages math products and activities to try this summer to keep your child's brain thinking mathematically.

I Love New York City!! New Books to Learn About NYC with Resource Roundup

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

New York City is a special place for Hazel and me. At a young age, she wanted to see the Statue of Liberty. I have been lucky enough to take her on several trips to New York. And we are going again this summer for my birthday!! I promised to take her to see a Broadway show. After all her dream is perform on Broadway some day and she has never actually been. As we are planning our weekend away, these two new books arrived and only added to my excitement for our trip! The first is a beautiful book called Unknown New York: An Artist Uncovers the City's Hidden Treasures by Jesse Richards. This is not a children's book but is also a book that could be read with a child to learn more about the city. 

Summer Themes: Bird Watching -- Turn This Book into a Bird Feeder -- Book Review with Craft Roundup

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

When Hazel was younger, I loved coming up with different themes to focus some of our books and activities. As she got older, it became themes for the summer. Now she is in high school and I'm lucky to watch television with her. As I was finding products to review, I realized many would lend to fun themes to focus your kids this summer. They range from educational, nature, crafts and more. Today's theme is bird watching! To introduce this theme I am sharing a wonderful book with you. It is Turn This Book into a Bird Feeder by Lynn Brunelle and illustrated by Anna-Maria Jung. It is recommended for ages 8 to 12 but could be for younger kids with adult help! After my review there will be a roundup of DIY bird feeders, bird crafts and other bird books to learn about them.

The Secret Life of a Sea Turtle -- Book Review with Turtle Craft Roundup

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Today I am sharing a nonfiction picture book that shares the life of a sea turtle. I have always loved these types of books. These books share a story about one animal but also share all sorts of facts and information about the animal within the story. Today's book is The Secret Life of a Sea Turtle by Maddalena Bearzi and illustrated by Alex Boersma. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8. I am including a turtle craft roundup to go with the book.

The Glass Pyramid -- Book Review & Giveaway with Pyramid Craft Roundup

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Jeanne Walker Harvey to bring you this post.

What is the most famous art museum in the world? I would say it is the Louvre. I know I would love to go there and see the Mona Lisa in person. How about you? Today I get to share with you a book that tells the story of how I.M. Pei designed and built the glass pyramid entrance to the Louvre. The book is The Glass Pyramid: A Story of the Louvre Museum and Architect I.M. Pei by Jeanne Walker Harvey and illustrated by Khoa Le. To go with this book, I am sharing a roundup of pyramid crafts and activities and there is a giveaway at the end!

Bunnies to the Rescue! -- Book Review & Giveaway with Bunny Craft Roundup

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Jeff Verney to bring you this post.

April brings thoughts of a certain bunny visiting, but today I am going to share a book about a different type of bunnies. They are the bunnies on Nantucket. I've only been to Nantucket a couple of times and once was for a job interview, but I know Cape Cod is full of bunnies. In fact, when I was young the estate next to my grandparents' street was called Bunny Haven. I always wanted to live there. Sadly, it was sold and turned into a street full of multiple houses. However, the bunnies still fill the yards of all the houses. In the summer the bunnies are everywhere. Needless to say, today's book hit an extra special chord with my heart. The book is Bunnies to the Rescue! by Jeff Verney and illustrated by Melissa Bailey. At the end of this post there is a giveaway and a bunny craft roundup!

Self-Care Is Needed--My Reflections on 2025 Thus Far

 

Disclosure: I was sent this package for origami paper in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

For 2025 I chose the word hope as my word for the year. I am hoping the word will bring me some peace even at the darkest times. I know it hasn't really worked thus far. My 2024 ended a bit rough. Hazel got sick with Covid and then pneumonia. It was a long recovery, and she is finally better. Steve and I went to Connecticut in January to celebrate my mom's birthday. We had a lovely time and then my mom got the flu and had to be hospitalized. She just returned from rehab last week. The health issues seem to be all around this winter. My school was remote on Friday so they could clean out the building. Then there is the politics.

The Tales of Charlie Wags: New York City -- Book Review & Giveaway with a NYC Craft Round-Up

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. I am working with The Children's Book Review, Sofie Wells and Ali Barclay to bring you this post and giveaway.

Are you ready for a sweet, magical book? I get to share one with you today and guess what? There is a giveaway at the end of this post! In this magical book a sweet dog visits New York City, so I am also sharing a small New York City craft round-up. Let's get into the book--it is The Tales of Charlie Wags: New York City by Sofie Wells and Ali Barclay with pictures by Sanna Sjöström.

Geometry in Origami Tutorial with Origami Paper Review

 

Disclosure: I was sent this pack of origami paper in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. 

Let's start 2025 with a fun craft!! I went to a craft fair and fell in love with an origami flower ball ornament. I bought one. I knew I could make one for myself, but didn't want to take the time before Christmas, so I bought one.

Craft Books for Kids & Adults

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these books in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I am still working on clearing my review shelf, so the roundups continue this week! Today we are looking at some great craft books for kids (and adults). These books range in abilities and topics. If you have a creative child in your life these books will make great gifts. We will start with the book for the youngest age 5 to 9. It is The Kids' Book of Craft Love by Irene Smit and Astrid van der Hulst. 

Lisbeth and the Littering Ladybugs -- Book Review & Giveaway with Ladybug Craft Round-Up

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and P.E. Shadrick to bring you this post.

When Hazel was young, I loved telling her stories. Since we started at a Waldorf school, storytelling was very important. Stories could entertain, teach lessons and so much more. Today I am sharing book that has a grandmother telling a story to her granddaughter as she works the tangles out of the granddaughter's hair. The book is Lisbeth and the Littering Ladybugs by P.E. Shadrick and illustrated by Maya Penzlik.

Sophie and the Swans -- Book Review & Giveaway Plus Swan Craft Round-Up

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Expound Publicity to bring you this post. 

Have you ever seen a swan? They are so elegant and beautiful. We have some that swim at the reservoir near our home. I always love seeing them. Today we are sharing a beautiful picture book about a young girl who loves the swans near her home. She feeds them and they respect her. She has to defend them when there is a bully. The book is Sophie and the Swans by Holly Peppe and illustrated by Aeron Cargill. 

A New Friend for Dragon -- Review & Giveaway Plus Dragon and Knight Craft Round-Up

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review to bring you this post.

With back to school there have been some great books coming out about differences. Let's face it when kids go back to school, they see people who are different from them in some way. It is important for kids to realizes that differences can be a good thing and that it is ok to be friends with people who are different. The book I'm sharing today is about just this. It is A New Friend for Dragon by Bianca Schulze and illustrated by Samara Hardy. 

A Tall Tale: How Ostriches Got Their Long Necks & Long Legs -- Book Review & Giveaway with Craft Round-Up

 

Disclosure: I was sent a digital copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own. I am working with The Children's Book Review and Expound Publicity to bring you this post.

Do you like origin stories or how animals got their characteristic stories? Some are cultural and some are just made up. Today I get to share a book with you that is fun and a bit silly. It "explains" how ostriches got their long necks and long legs and has a few other messages in it. The book is A Tall Tale: How Ostriches Got Their Long Necks and Long Legs by Scott Sollers and illustrated by Alejandro Echavez. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

When Beavers Flew -- Book Review with Beaver Craft Round-Up

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

We all know the expression, "When pigs fly," meaning never, but how about when beavers fly? We know beavers don't naturally fly. However back in 1948, 76 of them did fly. Today I get to share a newly released picture book that shares this piece of history. The book is When Beavers Flew by Kristen Tracy and illustrated by Luisa Uribe. It is recommended for ages 4 to 8.

New Origami Book with Easy Geometric Projects and Mathematical Explanations!!

 

Disclosure: I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I am so excited to share with you a new origami book. Now some origami tutorials can be difficult to follow, but this book is amazing!! Now I have posted about how I use origami in my geometry class. Today's book is perfect for the classroom!! The book is Origami Polyhedra for Beginners: Amazing Geometric Paper Models from a Leading Japanese Expert! by Miyuki Kawamura.

Shark Fun Facts & Craft Round-Up with an Emphasis on Great Whites

 

As I mentioned in my last post I am visiting Cape Cod. Our house is on a marsh, and I shared a bit about saltwater marshes earlier this week. The other big thing in the news on Cape Cod is great white sharks. In fact, on this trip, we visited the Atlantic White Shark Conservancy's Shark Center in Chatham. I learned quite a bit about great white sharks and sharks in general there, but I also got a few books out of the library and did some searches for fun facts for you. There are more than 500 species of sharks and over 100 of them are endangered! Yet sharks have survived all five of the Earth's major extinctions. July 14th is Shark Awareness Day so this post will have you all set for it!

Kawaii Origami for Kids -- Crafty Sundays

 

Disclosure: I was sent this kit in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

I have shared several origami kits as well as origami paper packs and projects with you over the years. Today I am sharing a wonderful origami kit for kids. I think this is my favorite one ever!! It is Kawaii Origami for Kids by Naoko Ishibashi. Kawaii is a huge Japanese culture of cuteness. I am sure you have seen the word previously. These origami projects are just so cute!! So it makes sense that it is called the Kawaii Origami for Kids.

Making Summer Fun and Educational

 

Disclosure: I was sent copies of these products in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

We are in final exam week at our school. The stress levels are high everywhere. But it also means that school is almost done, and summer is almost here. Summer can be so much fun, but it can also be a time for kids to lose some of their learning. Today I am sharing some products to give you and your kids some fun activities as well as learning in fun ways! We will begin with some creative activity books. Today (May 30th) is National Creativity Day and these books are perfect to get your kids and you creating and having fun! The first  are two books by Alberto Lot. There is Crayon Racing which I reviewed a couple of years ago and Crayon Adventures. They are recommended for ages 4 to 8 or as the publisher states 4 to 104. I know my high school students have been having lots of fun with them!

Origami in the Geometry Classroom

 

Disclosure: I was sent these packages of origami paper in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Last week was a stressful and emotional week at school and home, so I wasn't able to post. I have realized when I'm not in the right mindset my reviews are hard to write. For a while I have wanted to share some ideas I use in my geometry class with origami paper. I will be sharing four new packages of origami paper with you in this post. I keep a box of origami paper in my classroom and students come and get some when they are feeling creative or need to relax. I also use it in my geometry class. I have the kids do a project using geometric terms project using geometric terms, but I also use it for some easy discovery and illustrating properties. I have been wanting to share these ideas with you. May is the perfect time to introduce it since origami is a Japanese art form and ties into Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.