» August’s Summer Learning Challenge activities and materials — the last of 2019 — are here! August’s theme is social emotional learning. Jump down to the August calendar.
» Don’t worry; July and June’s resources are still available — jump down to those activities and materials here.
» The last day of the 2019 SLC is August 10. Here’s how to turn in your checklist.
KERA’s fifth-annual Summer Learning Challenge provides parents and caregivers with a structured, ready-made plan for making this a fun, educational summer for children.
The program includes monthly calendars with daily activities, tips for parents, resources for summer reading and special summer events. Stay updated on upcoming events by checking this page, signing up for the Full STEAM Ahead email newsletter and joining the KERA Summer Learning Challenge Facebook group.
All registered children and families are invited to complete the summer activity checklist with a chance to earn cool PBS and KERA Kids books and giveaways.
This year, we focus on space exploration, literacy and social-emotional development with PBS Kids characters from Ready, Jet Go!, Peg+Cat and Molly of Denali.
In honor of Sesame Street’s 50 anniversary, we have activities and special events featuring our friends from our favorite street.
This year’s materials include recommended books from the public library and other cool activities from some of your favorite characters.
August 10 is the last day of the 2019 Challenge.
Send us your completed Summer Learning Challenge checklist by August 23 for a special KERA STEAM prize pack. Scan it (a good smartphone photo of the checklist that looks like a scan will do) and email it to us at engage@kera.org, or mail it to:
KERA Community Engagement
Attn: Denita Malvern
3000 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, Texas 75201
Here’s a printable PDF version of the August calendar. Below is a list view of the days that have accompanying links:
2 // Today is National Coloring Book Day! Explore the world of Sesame Street with these coloring pages:
• Color sheet No. 1
• Color sheet No. 2
• Color sheet No. 3
3 // Build your own story book with the cast of Sesame Street:https://kera.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/sesame-interactive-story-book-builder/story-book-builder-sesame-street/
6 // Play a guessing game with Bert and Ernie! Help Ernie guess what Ernie is doing: https://kera.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/sesame-play-a-guessing-game/play-a-guessing-game-sesame-street/
7 // Revealing emotions — Play a guessing game with Daniel Tiger and his friends. Help recognize the various emotions we feel: https://pbskids.org/daniel/games/guess-the-feeling
9 // Bake Pinkalicious cupcakes! Don’t forget to add Pinkalicious cupcake toppers. Share your finish creations on social media!
• Pinkalicious cupcake recipe
• Birthday cupcake topper instructions
• Anytime cupcake topper instructions
… Congratulations on finishing the 2019 KERA Summer Learning Challenge!
July’s theme was literacy. Here’s a printable PDF version of the July calendar, and below is a list view with accompanying links:
1 // Visit your local library Pick out 3-4 books for this month’s reading. Try finding some about Alaskan culture and space exploration.
2 // Build your own miniature “snow” fort at home: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HPnf15i-Ls
3 // Listen to podcast episodes about Molly of Denali and her Alaskan adventures!: https://mollyofdenalipodcast.org
4 // Watch Peg + Cat celebrate Fourth of July by helping George Washington: https://www.dailymotion.com/video/x6bgkqz
5 // Earn your morning badges like Peg + Cat. Then color them!: https://pbskids.org/peg/activities/morning-badges
6 // Cave into your cravings and make this Galactic Space Popcorn recipe: https://pbskids.org/lunchlab/food/recipe/cranberry-popcorn
7 // Be like Molly of Denali – record a short 1-minute video of your daily routine, at home and in the community. Share on social media: #KERASUMMER2019
8 // Spend 15 minutes reading outside in a favorite spot
9 // Build your own space rover: http://www-tc.pbskids.org/readyjetgo/media/pdf/activities/BoopPaperCraftR4.pdf
10 // Listen to another podcast episode on Molly and her Alaskan adventures!: https://mollyofdenalipodcast.org
11 // Watch the Kratt brothers give you an inside look at the lives of wild animals of Alaska: https://www.pbs.org/video/chris-martin-kratt-making-wild-alaska-live-m67cv1/
12 // Help Peg + Cat bring back some color into their lives! Find all the shapes and color them in: https://pbskids.org/peg/activities/shape-hunt
13 // Beat the heat! Make this sweet and simple recipe for Apple Banana Chillers: https://pbskids.org/lunchlab/food/recipe/chillers
14 // Paint the night sky with Elmo using his Art Maker: https://www.sesamestreet.org/art-maker?canvas=nightsky&toolkit=night&nid=3605
15 // Watch the premiere of Molly of Denali on KERA TV at 8am or 4:30pm.
16 // Draw your favorite scene from yesterday’s premiere of Molly of Denali. Share a photo of it on social media: #KERASUMMER2019
17 // Watch this video and meet one of Earth’s closest neighbors, Mars: https://www.pbs.org/video/mars-the-red-planet-revealed-yapk2m/
18 // Watch this video and learn more about Earth’s very own light show: https://kera.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ready-get-go-what-are-northern-lights/what-are-the-northern-lights-ready-jet-go/
19 // Save those Popsicle sticks! Make Peg + Cat puppets: https://kera.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/210c8819-430d-4d96-a419-07b09defec7f/peg-cat-stick-puppets/
20 // Energize yourself – make this tasty recipe for Energy Bars: https://pbskids.org/lunchlab/food/recipe/energy-bar
21 // Molly enjoys showcasing her Alaskan native culture! Tell us about your culture: record a vlog or make a drawing.
22 // Spend 20 minutes reading outside in a favorite spot.
23 // Bert’s birthday is soon. Color a cake!: https://www.sesamestreet.org/art-maker?canvas=cake&toolkit=birthday&nid=3604
24 // How did we travel to the moon? Watch and learn from Sean and Sydney: https://kera.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ready-get-go-journey-to-the-moon/journey-to-the-moon-ready-jet-go/
25 // Why does the moon look different sometimes? Watch this explanation from Ready Jet Go!: https://kera.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/ready-get-go-the-moon-and-its-shapes/
26 // Create a “Happy Birthday” card to celebrate Bert’s birthday today!
27 // Satisfy your cheese craving! Make this healthy recipe for Pita Pizzas: https://pbskids.org/lunchlab/food/recipe/pita-pizzas
28 // Find the difference in shapes for Peg + Cat again – this time with Ramone!: https://kera.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/kids-lab-games-pegpluscat-highlight-zone/highlight-zone-peg-cat/
29 // Read to your parents/caregiver for 25 minutes today. Show them your reading and speaking skills!
30 // Go outside and enjoy the outdoors. Observe and take mental notes of scenery. Think about shapes, sizes, and color.
31 // To summarize this month’s premiere of Molly of Denali, watch this short video about kids from Alaska: https://kera.pbslearningmedia.org/resource/btl10.ela.early.summerisfuninalaska/summer-is-fun-in-alaska/
Here are a few extra links and printables:
• Make a Sesame Street bookmark
• Do this silly writing activity
• For parents: Reading milestones for your child
June’s theme was space exploration. Here’s June’s activity calendar, with corresponding links and printables below.
June 12: Create! Mission Patch
June 13: Ready Jet Go! Solar System Activity
June 14: The Solar System Song Video
June 15: No-Baking, Moon Cookies
June 16: Valles Marineris – Grand Canyon on Mars
June 18: Space Patterns and Activity Sheet Peg + Cat: Purple Planet
June 21: Make A Telescope!
June 22: Turn Up!
June 23: No-Baking, Marshmallow Martians
June 24: Ready Jet Go! Song Sheet Activity
June 25: Peg + Cat Gaming Activity
June 26: Build Your Own Spacecraft
June 27: The Planets Song Video
Download and print this handy chart to keep track of summer reading.
Download and print these handy bookmarks to help not lose your spot in your summer reading.
Download this booklet for more fun anytime, anywhere activities.
Download this book for even more fun anytime, anywhere activities.
Download and print this checklist, then track progress on the 10 listed benchmarks. Upon completion, have each child sign their name, then send the form to us.
You can scan the form (or take a good, clear smartphone photo of it) and email it to us at engage@kera.org or mail it:
KERA Community Engagement
Attn: Denita Malvern
3000 Harry Hines Blvd.
Dallas, Texas 75201
Your child(ren) will get a KERA STEAM prize pack in return!
Questions? Email the KERA Community Engagement Department.
Are you a teacher, homeschool parent or other educator? Follow KERA Learn! on Pinterest.
Join the KERA Summer Learning Challenge Facebook group.
Sign up for the Full STEAM Ahead email newsletter.
Sign up for our Start Smart text messages to receive easy tips on engaging with young children.