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May 3, 2022
Spring Issue #10
Weekly activities and lessons to keep your child thinking and progressing throughout the school year.
“Logic will get you from A to B. Imagination will take you everywhere.”
Happy Tuesday!

Boy, the weeks are flying by. I was filling in my planning calendar for the rest of the year today, and there is not many days left in the school year. Sadly, many of these upcoming school days will be consumed with assessments. The good news is that Open House will be in-person on campus. Another little sign that things are returning to normal. I hope you enjoy the learning activities and the book recommendation in this weeks issue. Have a great week!

Please share this flyer with your friends and encourage them to join our mailing list by following the links on this page.

Mr. McManus :-)
Great Read of the Week
Stella by Starlight
by Sharon M. Draper
This is a tale of the Jim Crow South that’s not sugar-coated but effective, with a trustworthy narrator who opens her heart and readers’ eyes. Stella Mills and her brother Jojo witness the Ku Klux Klan burning a cross late one starry night, setting off a chain reaction that leaves their entire community changed. During the Depression, North Carolina was less than hospitable for African-Americans forced to work more to earn less while being deprived of basic human rights. It can be a bit scary as it digs into some of the darker parts of American history, but the reader feels like they are right there with the characters. Stella by Starlight is one of the most inspiring books I have read in a long time! It reminds me of Roll of Thunder Hear My Cry. If you love well written historical fiction about the untold stories of American history with lovable characters and a positive message; then, you will enjoy this book. Check it out!
Inquiry Quest

Coral Reefs
Known as the “rainforests of the sea,” coral reefs are like bustling underwater cities bursting with life. Learn more about why these vibrant ecosystems are critically important to all life on Earth through guided videos, crafts, interactive programs, and live webcams.

Check out the wonderful unit on coral reefs from the Academy of Science. There are multiple activities to choose from and they are all designed to be conducted by kids your age. I suggest working day by day through the four lessons. The videos are great and the activities are super fun.

If you feel your child might benefit from a group or individual 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.
Three Writing Prompts and a Riddle

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!


"There was a baby bear in my yard so I..."


"I began to swim the second I saw the shark fin..."


"Clapping came from the room as George..."

Thinking Puzzle
A solo dice game is played where, on each turn, a normal pair of dice is rolled. The score is calculated by taking the product, rather than the sum, of the two numbers shown on the dice.

On a particular game, the score for the second roll is five more than the score for the first; the score for the third roll is six less than that of the second; the score for the fourth roll is eleven more than that of the third; and the score for the fifth roll is eight less than that of the fourth. What was the score for each of these five throws?
Last week's answer... Turn one light on for a few minutes and then go feel which bulb is warm from being on.
Problem of the Week
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