June 2012 Activities

“June 2012 Activities” by Linda Martin Andersen

  “A Writer’s Playground”

A place to find word play, writing, and monthly calendar activities for kids and those young at heart.

Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.

Think:  What does the word “June” bring to mind?

June bug—beetle, nickname for NASCAR driver Dale Earnhardt Jr., and Mitch Capel, better known as “Gran’daddy Junebug,” a storyteller from Southern Pines, North Carolina.   Listen to one or more story segments.  Consider “Opportunities” and “The Colored Soldiers” by Gran’daddy Junebug at http://gjbug.com/Store.php.

June bride–many couples choose this month for their weddings.  Read a book about a child who is in a wedding or attends one.  Write about something that went wrong at a wedding.  For example, the groom’s ring nearly rolled into a storm drain at my wedding.

Summer vacation, summer camps, Summer Reading Club at public libraries, etc.  Are there science, math, or history camps in your area?  Try something new.

Father’s Day–cards, gifts, and cookouts.  Offer to find a new recipe and cook it for Father’s Day.  Make gift receipts for chores you will do for dad, such as wash his car.

What else happens in June?

Special Days in June:

• National Go Barefoot Day:  1
• National Running Day:  2
• Do-Dah Day (Salute to Silliness) :  4
• D-Day:  6
• Flag Day:  14
• National Flip Flop Day:  15 (3rd Friday)
• Father’s Day:  17
• June Solstice:  20
• Log Cabin Day:  24
• International Fairy Day: 24
• Tour De France:  30

Special Weeks in June:

• Old Time Fiddlers Week:  18-25 (3^rd Week)
• Watermelon Seed Spitting Week:  21-24 (Last Weekend Thursday-Sunday)

June is…

• National Camping Month
• National Rivers Month
• Great Outdoors Month
• National Smile Month
• Vision Research Month
• Adopt a Shelter Cat Month

*Thank you Brownie Locks.com for June celebration information.  For more June observances check out:  http://www.brownielocks.com/june.html. While visiting her site, look for foods, activities, and topics to research:  Why not cook fudge on Fudge Day (16).  Try a new activity such as juggling (16).  Research a topic such as eagles for American Eagle Day. (20)

Let’s talk:  Choose one or more of the conversation starters below and leave a comment…

1.  When you think of June, think of “summer reads.”  What books would you like to read just for fun?  Will you join a summer reading club at your local library?  Some give prizes.  Challenge your whole family to participate.

2.  School gets out in June.  Now that’s something “worth whistling about.”  What does that expression mean?  Now that you  have more time at home, will you keep your room “clean as a whistle?”  If you leave a mess, will your little brother or sister be a “whistleblower?” Have you heard this one? “A whistling woman and a crowing hen always come to some bad end.” (Choose one of these expressions and comment about it.)

3.  Do you have a bicycle?  Describe it.  Does it have speeds?  How many?  Is it a mountain bike or a racing bike?  Tell about a time you raced on your bike.  Research racers and their speeds in the Tour De France.

4.  Describe a time you went barefoot and you wished you had shoes.  For example:  Stepped on sandspurs.  Describe a time when you went barefoot and you’re very glad you did.

5.  In honor of National Running Day, research a runner.  Read a picture book about a fictional character who ran such as The Gingerbread Man.  Find a nonfiction book about a track-and-field athlete such as Jesse Owens.  Search for books about other runners.

6.  Name three ways to salute silliness on Do-Dah Day.  For example:  wear two different colors of socks or a silly hat like mine.  Have someone push you in a wheelbarrow.  Watch out, you may get dumped.

7.  Name famous Americans who lived in log cabins.  Locate a log cabin in your area that provides tour.  Research vocabulary words for log cabin construction.  For example:  chinking.

8.  Name a favorite fairy character.  Name different types of fairies.  For example:  flower fairies.  Draw a design for a fairy costume, book bag design, fairy zone sign, and enchanted fairy garden.  What are brownies?  Name a book with fairies or brownies.

9.  When did you attend a festival that served watermelons.  What contests were held?  Create an original festival contest.  Tell of a time you were in a contest at an outdoor event.

10. Do you know the name:  Doc Watson?  If not, research him.  What type events do you think are part of “Old Time Fiddlers Week?” What event would you want to attend?  Why?  Do you play a musical instrument?  If so, what?  What would you like to learn to play?

11.  Is there a walking path near a river in your hometown?  Have you ever traveled on a river?  How did you travel?  Write an advertisement for a trip on the river.  What information would you include?  What information would you not include?  Why?

12.  If you were a vision research scientist, what disease would you want to treat?  Why?  Do you know someone who has a disease of the eyes?  Which one?  What causes it?  Does your area have a center for the blind?  What are some of their services?

13.  Do you own a pet?  What kind?  Did you get your pet from the store or from the animal shelter?  Why do cities encourage animal lovers to adopt pets?  Tell about an adventure with your pet.

14.  Summers are for cookouts.  Have you ever roasted a hotdog over an open fire?  Have you toasted marshmallows?  Do you like yours golden brown or charcoal black?  What ghost stories can you tell?  Tell some by a campfire, with parent supervision. Check out additional ghost stories at the library.

15.  Create a special Father’s Day card (Grandfather/Uncle/Foster father).  Write a message about a special Father’s Day memory or thank your father for something he has done for you.  Remember that glitter and stickers make dads smile too.

Thank you for visiting “A Writer’s Playground.”  Please come again soon.  Bring a friend.

*Resources:  http//vertex42.com (calendar)

http://www.brownielocks.com/june.html (calendar observances)

Coming next post:  Meet a whistler.

Copyright © 2012 Linda Martin Andersen