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June 13, 2023
Spring Issue #12
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Weekly activities and lessons to keep your child thinking and progressing all year long. |
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“A perfect summer day is when the sun is shining, the breeze is blowing, the birds are singing, and the lawnmower is broken."
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Hello Fantastic Supporters,
As we approach the end of the school year, I would like to take a moment to thank you for your continued support throughout the years. I are grateful for the trust you have placed in me and for your loyalty to the McManus Files.
As we head into the summer months, I would like to remind you of the importance of continuing learning during this time to avoid the dreaded "summer slide". I'm excited to begin the flyer's third summer season. This summer will be no different... The Files will continue to feature a variety of activities designed to keep children engaged and learning all summer long. From science experiments to art projects, there will be something for every interest. I hope that you will take advantage of this opportunity to keep your children's minds active and engaged this summer.
Thank you again for your support, and I wish you a happy and healthy summer!
This week's flyer has been so much fun to build. The book and the activities are all things that I would love to do. If you've never been to the Fitzgerald Reserve, get there quick. It's not going anywhere, but it is a marvelous tide pooling experience that everyone will enjoy and remember. The book recommendation is a delightful read and the perfect book to kick off summer vacation with. If you like historical fiction, you will certainly enjoy this refreshing story. Finally, Harry Potter is awesome! and this exhibition at the British Library was so much fun to explore. I learned so much and it wasn't just about magic. Oh... Now, how could I forget all the writing prompts, the progressive multiple step math problems, and the challenging little computer game at the bottom of this page. I hope you have as much fun working on these learning activities as I did sharing them :-)
If you know anybody who you think would benefit from the weekly learning activities in this flyer, please share it with your friends and encourage them to join The McManus Files mailing list by following the links on this page.
Peace,
Mr. McManus
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If you feel your child might benefit from an individual group or tutoring program to prepare them for the next phase of their education, please contact McManus Tutoring.
Programs are structured so that students learn independence, accountability, and self-possession. They will develop a repeatable structure that can be used to build success in the future.
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Turtle in Paradise
by Jennifer L. Holm
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Ever since a friend of mine recommended "The Fourteenth Goldfish" to me, I've been steadily making my way through Jennifer L. Holm's books; always being impressed with the way she depicts the mundane and the fantastic through a child's perspective. I dove into this novel with the same level of enthusiasm and this book shined like a star. It is a wonderful historical fiction novel that takes place in Florida in the 1930's. Turtle, the main character, is tough on the outside, with a soft underbelly, just like a turtle. She is smart, strong, helpful, generous, and pretty wise for an 11-year-old. In the book, Turtle learns the real world, right under her nose, might be a lot better than the dreams she is trying to grasp. This is a fantastic Depression-era story that teaches both history and the meaning of family.The fact that it is based on the author's grandmother and her life in Key West makes the story even more interesting. At the end of the book, there are a few pages where the author explains which parts of the story are based on real situations. She even includes pictures of places and people mentioned in the story! Give it a shot! It is a great read.
Enjoy!
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James V. Fitzgerald
Marine Reserve
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James V. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is located at the west end of Lake Street in the city of Moss Beach. Fitzgerald Marine Reserve is a county park and marine protected area run by San Mateo County Parks. This beach is especially popular at low tide because more beach is exposed and so are the incredible tide pools.
The inter-tidal zone here is considered one of the best tidepools in all of California. They are extensive and best viewed at low tide. Birds, seals, and other animals are visible in the reserve during their various seasons. At the small visitor center there is a TV screen showing an educational video about the reserve and marine life. Learn more about tide pool zones.
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All fans of the beloved book series as well as those who have not discovered the joy of J.K. Rowling's magical world will enjoy this exhibition at the British Library. Take a digital field trip to London and examine the thoughtful and detailed show about Harry Potter and the History of Magic. You will get a glimpse at J.K. Rowling's original manuscripts, meet the artist and illustrators of the different publications, explore magical items from the Museum of Witchcraft and Magic, learn how to study like a wizard, meet many magical creatures, and so much more. Visit this site and open the mysterious world of Harry Potter and his magical world.
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Three Writing Prompts and an Essay Topic
These prompts and questions will help jump-start your daily writing. Just as it's important to read for at least 30 minutes each day, you should also write for 30 minutes a day. Don't worry about your organization or spelling, just write!
"The cruise ship was supposed to be the setting for the perfect vacation, and it was — until that stupid movie star showed up and decided we were all going to be part of her game."
"Confused and disappointed, Marcus tossed aside the photo album his mom gave him for his birthday but when voices started coming out of it, he decided to pay attention."
“Don’t look at me, I thought we were going for tacos.”
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June 14th
June 14th is “Flag Day.” This day was created in order to commemorate the adoption of the American flag. Using resources from the internet, learn five facts about the American flag and summarize them in your own words.
On this day in 1937, the Caldecott Medal was first awarded. The Caldecott Medal is awarded for the illustrations in a children’s book. If you were asked to nominate any book for this year’s Caldecott Medal, what book would select and why?
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Click this link to try to solve this simple but challenging game. Careful, you only get 1024 moves to win. Good luck!
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