Summer reading: Projects for learning and fun

On June 5 the General Assembly of the United Nations urges us to show concern for preservation and enhancement of the environment

Activity 1: Take a survey of your community. What is being done to preserve natural resources, such as recycling, tree planting, street and river restoration? Look for labels on products where recycling is used. One example is "Not Afraid of Dogs," by Susanna Pitzer (Walker), where the publisher notes, "All papers used by Walker and Company are natural, recyclable products made from wood grown in well-managed forests. The manufacturing processes conform to the environmental regulations of the country of origin."

Activity 2: Read a biography of people who were concerned about the environment.

Read: "The Trouble With Henry: A Tale of Walden Pond," by Deborah O'Neal and Angela Westengard (Candlewick), is the story of Henry David Thoreau and his attempt to prove what nature is worth.

"John Muir: America's First Environmentalist," by Kathryn Lasky and Stan Fellows (Candlewick), is a picture book tribute to the writer, scholar and explorer who founded the Sierra Club.

Activity 3: Make a family plan for water conservation, garbage recycling, animal protection, etc.

Read: "Hoot" and "Flush," both by Carl Hiaasen (Knopf), and find the humor (and wisdom) in children who try to protect owls and water. Both are funny novels for the whole family to enjoy.

Project: Puzzles and games

Activity 1: Celebrate June 6.

Every month has a day when the number of the day is the same as the number of the month. But June 6 is special because the number of the day, month and year are the same — 6/6/06. Plan something special today and do it six times; for example, sing a song six times, eat six M&Ms, tell six jokes or tell six people "Happy 6th!"

Activity 2: Plan a day of codes and puzzles. Send messages to friends or put one on a dinner plate as a surprise. Both "Ciphers and Codes," by Karen P. Howell (Raintree), and "Messages in Code," by Janet Weller (Scholastic), give dozens of ideas for codes and secret messages.

Project: Celebrate America!

Activity 1: Flag Day, June 14. Study the proper display and handling of the flag, then hang it out. Study a time line of the changes in the American flag over its history.

Read: "The Pledge of Allegiance" (Scholastic Press).

Two books, "Flags" (Smithsonian and DK Press), show flags of many countries at various times.