June 20th-24th Family Activities Newsletter

Welcome to the WMHT Family Activities Newsletter.
This weekly family newsletter is providing resources for children’s growing and learning throughout the summer and fall months.
The theme for this week is The Sun.
I hope you find this helpful!
Barbara Lukas, Family Learning Coordinator
Theme: The Sun
Welcome to family activities with PBS Kids!  Our sun gives light, heat, helps plants to grow, and causes the weather we have on Earth. Celebrate the summer solstice - June 20-22 - with some “sunny” activities below. 
Two age level areas are available – PreK-K and Grades 1-2. 
PreK-K
Trees are all around us and are an important part of nature, even in big cities! You can learn about trees and the animals that use them by exploring your backyard or neighborhood. Supplies are simple – just paper, pencil and crayons. Take a walk to observe trees and shrubs. If you have a magnifying glass, bring it with you to see things close up. Draw what you see.

       Sun Prints
Use the warm summer sunshine to make sun prints. Look for sun print paper in a craft store. Then take a walk to collect items in nature for your print. Arrange the objects to make your design. You may need a little lemon juice to darken the blue color. Did you invite a friend to make one with you?


Grades 1-2
Summer provides long days of sunlight. Make a sundial to track the sun’s movement with the time of day. You will need cardboard, construction paper and a small amount of clay or play dough. Check the sundial every hour to mark the shadow on paper. Be sure to set out your sundial on a sunny day! 
    Daylight Hours and the Sun’s Path
Explore the duration of daylight and the Sun’s apparent path in the sky in Boston, MA, during the solstices with this adapted WorldWide Telescope video. Note the sunlight time differences between the June 21 and December 21 solstices. How many hours of sunlight on June 21? How many hours of sunlight on December 21? Big difference!

America’s Test Kitchen Young Chefs’ Club
Strawberry Shortcake
Fluffy biscuits, tart strawberries, and sweet whipped cream—this recipes has all the pieces of a perfect dessert. Check out local farm markets or stores for fresh strawberries. Then make your own biscuits. You will need adult help with using the oven. Note – this recipe makes 4 biscuits, so you may need to double it for a family. Make your own buttermilk by mixing 1 cup milk with 1 tablespoon white vinegar or fresh lemon juice. 

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