Jump into Summer with Free Classroom June Activities

School might be done for the year, but learning never takes a break. Check out all these fun and focused June activities that Edmentum has lined up for you to use.

Edmentum 30 Day Summer Challenge

This 30 Day Summer Challenge flyer includes creative ideas designed to keep students engaged in their learning. With 30 days’ worth of fun June activities, facts, and resources, learners are bound to learn something new each day and make the most out of summer break. 

June Activities for National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month

In June, not only are some of the delicious fruits and veggies at their tastiest, but it’s also the beginning of summer vacation. It’s the perfect opportunity for students to continue building a healthy and happy relationship with fruits and veggies.

When children are home during summer break, it‘s important to make eating healthy part of their summer fun. Check out these three summer activities you can do with your students before summer break or encourage them to try on their own during vacation:

1. Visit the Farmer’s Market

What better place to learn all about freshly grown fruits and vegetables than the local farmer’s market? Take a few minutes to poll your class on how many students are familiar with their local farmer’s market. Engage in a class discussion to see how many students have been to the farmer’s market, what they might find there, and what makes it different from the produce section at the supermarket or grocery store?

You can search this directory from the U.S. Department of Agriculture to find out where the nearest farmer’s market is, when it’s open, and what kind of special community events it might be having over the summer, and then forward that information to your classroom families for a fun, “family field trip” idea. Suggest that your students go with their families and play a game like famer’s market bingo or embark on a ready-made farmer’s market scavenger hunt. After all, it’s always more fun to learn about eating healthy when the whole family is involved.

2. Make a List of New Fruits and Veggies to Try

For some children, being asked to try a new fruit or vegetable is like asking them to eat mud. Many won’t want to do it. But, sometimes, getting a child to see trying a new fruit or vegetable as a way to accomplish a goal, rather than being forced to eat something they may not like, is an easier way to introduce new healthy fresh foods into their diets. Have your students select a few new fruits or vegetables they have never eaten before (but would be open to trying) to add to their “I want to try” list. They can add as many as they want, but they should at least put one or two down and make it their goal to try these new healthy foods at least once over the summer.

If there is time for a little bit of researching, ask your students to learn more about their selected fruits or veggies. Have students find out where they grow best, how many different varieties there are, if they have any interesting plant cousins, what sort of recipes they are used in, and what sort of uses they have besides being eaten. Who knows—maybe learning a little more about their new vegetable or fruit will help students feel more comfortable including it in their regular diet?

3. End the School Year with Goodbye Gardens

Scratching your head trying to figure out a fun parting favor to give your students? Try handing out a “goodbye garden” on the last day of school. Simply attach a fun personal note or poem to a packet of garden vegetable seeds (you can get bulk packs of assorted heirloom veggies for cheap) and pass them out on the last day of class. That way, your students have the opportunity to grow their very own vegetables over summer break.

If school is already out, you can always send your students a note in the mail and include the seeds in a card with your well wishes for their summer break. This fun idea not only leaves your students with something to remember you by over break, but it can also help spark an interest in gardening over the summer and, if they’re lucky, provide a fun way to connect with eating healthy. Starting a class garden is always a fun idea, too.

Celebrate National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month with free downloadable resources from Edmentum. You can use these printable packets to engage your students in a meaningful discussion to help them understand the nutritional value of different fruits and vegetables right before summer break.

Or, you can print out the packets to send home as fun, healthy June activities.

Flag Day

Flag Day, celebrated on June 14th, commemorates the adoption of the United States flag on June 14, 1777. This day is a great opportunity to teach students about the history and significance of the American flag. Here are some ideas to incorporate Flag Day into your summer curriculum:

• History Lessons: Teach students about the origins of Flag Day and the historical context of the flag's creation. Discuss the significance of the flag's design, including the meaning behind the stars, stripes, and colors.
• Art Projects: Have students create their own versions of the American flag using various materials. This hands-on activity can be a fun way for them to express their creativity while learning about the flag's components.
• Symbolism Discussions: Explore the symbolism of the flag's elements. Discuss what the stars and stripes represent and how the colors red, white, and blue have been interpreted over time.
• Patriotic Songs and Poems: Introduce students to patriotic songs and poems that honor the flag. Encourage them to write their own poems or short essays about what the flag means to them.

Juneteenth

Juneteenth, celebrated annually on June 19th, commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. On this date in 1865, Union troops arrived in Galveston, Texas, and announced the enforcement of the Emancipation Proclamation, liberating the last remaining enslaved African Americans.

The holiday's name derives from a portmanteau of "June" and "nineteenth," marking the date when the news of emancipation reached Texas. Juneteenth celebrations have been held since the late 1800s, initially involving church-centered community gatherings in Texas before spreading across the country.

Traditional Juneteenth festivities include parades, festivals, concerts, and community events. Common elements are readings of the Emancipation Proclamation, rodeos, barbecues, red foods symbolizing resilience, live music performances, and educational programs. The day serves as an opportunity to honor African American history, culture, and the ongoing pursuit of racial equality through activities like supporting Black-owned businesses, volunteering, and open discussions about social justice.

For more detailed resources and ideas on how to celebrate Juneteenth with your students, check out our dedicated article: Celebrate Juneteenth: Resources for Educators.

Summer Solstice

It’s not the final bell of the school year that marks the beginning of summer, it’s the summer solstice. The summer solstice takes place each year in the Northern Hemisphere around June 20th-23rd and marks the longest day of the year.

Learn more about the solstice with Edmentum’s free Summer Solstice downloadable resource packet. Inside, you’ll find printable fact sheets, critical thinking questions, June activities and a cool poster.

Edmentum Printable Bookmarks

Summer reading season is about to kick off, and we wanted to create a fun and meaningful way to help you encourage your students to stay on top of their literacy gains. These exciting new bookmarks come in three different tracking styles, designed to suit a variety of reading levels.

Interested in exploring more content to celebrate important events and holidays? Check out our other FREE classroom resources from Edmentum for fun, interactive toolkits, downloadables and more by visiting the free Edmentum Teacher Resources page.