Activity #1 Summer Vacation Description In this activity, the teacher will read Nathan Saves Summer. The teacher will ask students to identify things that they do on summer vacation. Materials Needed Nathan Saves Summer Construction paper Crayons or markers Directions 1. Read Nathan Saves Summer to the children. 2. Discuss how Nathan and his friends enjoyed the summer. 3. Ask the children what they do during summer vacation. 4. Discuss the special things that Nathan brought on his summer vacation (i.e., sun screen, sunglasses, an umbrella, swimming suit, towel, chair, etc.) 5. Ask children what special things they will take on summer vacation. 6. Have students draw a picture of their favorite summer activity. Include Nathan in the picture.
Activity #2 Water Safety Description In this activity, the teacher will read the book aloud to the children and discuss water safety. Materials Needed Nathan Saves Summer Construction paper Crayons or markers Directions 1. Read Nathan Saves Summer to the children. Ask the children the following questions: Nathan is a lifeguard at the local pond. Why does he wear water wings? Why does he wear sunscreen? Why does he wear sunglasses? Why does he have a life preserver? Why does he wear a whistle? What should you do when you hear the lifeguard blowing the whistle? What is the furthest you should be from the lifeguard? Why does Nathan need binoculars? The animals always swam with at least one friend. Why should you not swim alone? What other things can you do to be safe around the water? (Example: no running, no pushing, always have a grown up with you, take swimming lessons, be well rested, etc.) It may be dangerous to dive into the water if you do not know how deep it is as you could get hurt. How do you know when it is safe to dive into the water? (Example: Look for signs permitting diving, ask a lifeguard or another adult, etc.) 2. Have students draw a picture of swimming. Make sure to include Nathan as the lifeguard and the safety tips just discussed.
Nathan s Ice Cream Life Preserver Recipe INGREDIENTS 2 Quarts Vanilla Ice Cream Sweetened, Shredded Coconut Strawberries, washed, tops removed and cut in half lengthwise Red Licorice Ropes Red Life Saver Candies *Round cake pan with hole in center. (If you don t have that, then just a round cake pan will work, but you ll need to put another bowl in the middle so that the ice cream won t fill in the center.) *1 serving platter larger than the cake pan, covered in aluminum foil DIRECTIONS 1. Allow the ice cream to soften for about 15 minutes at room temperature; then spoon it into your round mold. Be sure to pack it tightly. (If you are using a round cake pan without a hole in the center, than put an upside down bowl in the center to create a hole in the middle, and fill in the ice cream around the bowl.) 2. Cover the top of the mold with plastic wrap and freeze overnight or until solid. 3. Cover a large serving platter with aluminum foil. 4. At least 3 hours before serving (or up to several days ahead of time) un mold the ice cream like this: Fill a pot or pan larger than the cake pan, with hot water. Remove the mold from the freezer. Take off the plastic wrap and holding the mold with the open end upright, quickly (for no more than 2 seconds) dip it into the hot water (careful not to go so deep that the ice cream gets wet.) The object is to warm the mold without melting more than the surface of the ice cream. 5. Immediately top the mold with the foil-covered serving platter, invert onto a flat working surface and lift off the mold. 6. Working quickly, sprinkle a generous coating of shredded coconut on the sides and top of the ice cream so that it s covered. (continued)
Nathan s Ice Cream Life Preserver Recipe DIRECTIONS 7. Immediately return the ice cream, uncovered, to the freezer until it is frozen solid (at least 3 hours). Then wrap it in aluminum foil and return to the freezer until serving time. 8. Just before serving, decorate it. Place the strawberries, cut side down onto the ice cream, using them to create the red stripes that are on Nathan s life preserver. Use the licorice twists or ropes to make the rope around the life preserver. Then, if you want, using the red licorice ropes or lifesavers, you can write your name or Nathan s on top of your very own ice cream life preserve. 9. Cut into slices, and enjoy!