Summer is supposed to be the highlight of every kid’s year. I know my daughter is currently counting down the days until summer break. I, on the other hand, am secretly dreading it— apart from our annual summer vacation.
For my family, summer always starts out great. Then a few weeks in things go south. The biggest complaint from my daughter has always been that she’s bored. Can you relate!?
This post is brought to you by Workman Publishing. All opinions are my own.
This is where I get a little creative and try to kill two birds with one stone, giving her books to read and crafts to make that are not only fun, but help prevent “summer slide” (where most students lose about two months of grade-level equivalency in math, and many also lose reading achievement, during the summer).
This year I’ve already commissioned her to help her cousin get ready for kindergarten with Summer Brain Quest, an exciting new extension of the beloved and #1 bestselling Brain Quest brand, from Workman Publishing.
Summer Brain Quest is notable because it offers a one-of-a-kind learning experience that delivers personalized learning for every type of kid. Personalized learning is an educational method where exercises are tailored to each child’s strengths, needs and interests.
Each book is structured like a game with a pull-out map that guides kids on a learning quest. They fill in their route on the map by earning stickers for completing workbook pages as well as pursuing outdoor activities. The map offers a choice of routes, allowing kids to customize their learning path and pursue what excites them most (extra math problems? more hands-on science?), and also encouraging them to jump around within the book to follow their curiosity.
I gave my daughter a set of Summer Brain Quest books to look at and she was enamored from the get-go. She went through each book for several hours just because she thought they were fun.
Obviously, she is well above each of these grade levels, but the books are interesting to other ages because they’re presented in such a unique way. The original artwork is by video game artist Edison Yan, making every book feel fresh and fun. These are the most visually appealing books in the market.
Each Summer Brain Quest workbook has been created in consultation with an award-winning teacher specializing in that grade to ensure that all exercises are aligned to Common Core State Standards, Next Generation State Standards, and state social studies standards.
How to Make Your Own Crystals for Kids
Ingredients:
- Rock Salt
(AKA Ice Cream Salt)
- White Glue
- Food Coloring
- Glitter
(optional)
Directions:
I didn’t put exact measurements because this craft project isn’t an exact science. The 4oz bottle of glue makes approximately 8 half-dollar sized crystals.
- Separate rock salt into small bowls – one bowl for each color (start with 1 cup)
- add 2-4 drops food coloring, or amount until the desired color is achieved.
- Slowly pour glue into each bowl, mixing gently. Take salt/glue mixture into hands and form into a ball. Place on a plate lined with paper towels to dry. Repeat for each crystal.
- Optional: Sprinkle glitter on each crystal.
- Let crystals dry overnight. The longer you let dry the better!
katherine Persons
Between grades 3 and 4
mami2jcn
Between grades 2 & 3 would interest my daughter.
Tiff
I would want the K one since my kiddo is in pre k
Lauren
My daughter would like the get ready for 5th grade book.
Denise S
My son needs between grades 4 and 5.
Shannon Baas
the 1-2 book.
Janet W.
Between grades 1st and 2nd grade is what my grandsons would be interested in.
HilLesha
My son would love the workbook for the 5th and 6th grade. Thanks for the giveaway!
Ellie Wright
My grandson would be interested in Grades between 3-4
beth
I think they would most be interested in grades 3&4.
Mary Cloud
My kids would be interested in the one for Grades 5 & 6
Kristyn M.
Between grades 3 & 4
Bonnie
I have 3 homeschoolers so the between K-1, 2-3, and 3-4 would all be perfect!
Andrea
Mine would want 2nd to 3rd
Lauren U
My child would like the Between Grades K and 1 book
BusyWorkingMama
My daughter would love the prep for 6th grade math. She’ll be in that next year.
Jenny Q.
I would love the book for 1&2. This is a great way to help my son keep up with learning in the summer.
Jessica Lear
I could all of these books to good use…I have one in every grade from Pre-K to 5th.
Valerie Mabrey
I would like the K-1 for my granddaughter.
heather
The kids would like the 5&6 workbook.
Anne Marie @ CCHC
With rising 1st, 2nd, and 4th graders these books would not be neglected in our house!! I have a feeling that the 1st -> 2nd would be the most popular. That child is all about independent learning.
Diane Hamel
I work with disadvantaged kids,,I could use all grades…
Latanya Thornhill
the K & 1 book
Tabathia B
summer quest between grades 2-3
Lisa V.
She would like the Summer Brain Quest: Between Grades K & 1.
Renee Grosskreuz
Between grades 5 and 6 would be the best Summer Brain Quest.
susan smoaks
i would like to get the K-1 for our daughter, she would love it.
Julieh
My kids would like the k-1 books.
Daniel M
they would most be interested in grades 3-4
Kristi C
My son would like the grades 5-6.
Ed
Between Grades 2 & 3
jennifer cervantes
My daughter would most likely like 2nd grade or 4thgrade since I have more than one.
shawna
My daughter would like 2nd & 3rd grade
Hesper Fry
The K-1 book would be great for my daughter.
Beth Stephens
The book between K-1 would be perfect for my twin boys!
Kim Keithline
They would be most interested in Summer Brain Quest: Between Grades 3 & 4
Lori Walker
The kindergarten book would be of most interest to us.
Stephanie Liske
My niece would love the K&1 one!
Kathy Pease
I would love the k & 1 for my grandkids
Michelle Catallo
Definitely between grades 2 & 3! Just ask his teachers LOL he is a handful.
amanda whitley
my son would like the 1st and 2nd grade one
Seyma Shabbir
My younger son would love the grade 2 and my older would love grade 4.
Billie R
My niece would be excited for any of them. Thanks for the chance to win.
Amy Deeter
We would love to have the 2nd-3rd one
Leah Shumack
My daughter is going to be finishing up 5th grade in June. I’d love to have the 5th/6th grade books for her this summer!
Erica
Hi! We tried the make your own crystal experiment and it didn’t work! We used the ingredients shown and followed the directions, but the glue seized up like slime and pulled the color away from the salt, while not sticking to the salt at all. Is there a step we are missing? We are trying a thinned down glue (just added water) to a pile of salt and that seems to be working so far, just looking for advise! Thanks!