Lower Elementary
Summer Homework 2015
These pages and the attached reading record are due when you return to school in August.
Read, read, read!
Central Houston Public Library
500 McKinney; 832-393-1313; M-Th 10-8; F 10-5; Sa 10-5; Su 1-5;
Oak Forest Neighborhood Library
1349 West 43rd Street; 832-393-1960; M Closed; T 10-6; W 10-6; Th 12-8; F 1-5; Sa 10-5; Su Closed
Heights Neighborhood Library
1302 Heights Blvd.; 832-393-1810; M 12-8; T 10-6; W 12-8; Th 10-6; F 1-5; Sa 10-5; Su Closed
Use your Power Card to borrow books from a Houston Public Library branch near you. The library also has books on tape, videos, and computer software available. Library materials can be returned to any Houston Public Library branch. Books can be renewed at any branch, online, or by phone 832-393-2280. The public library also has children’s magazines available.
The Houston Public Library offers a special Summer Reading Program Visit your local public library branch to obtain a reading log or register on-line May 1-August 1. Record the books you read and return the reading log to your library by August to earn prizes, such as free admission to Houston attractions or free books. Readers are also eligible to earn a free book from Barnes & Noble’s Summer Reading Program and Half Price Books’ Feed Your Brain Summer Reading Program Participate in Houston ISD’s Summer Reading Program.
Attached is a list of reading suggestions and a reading record. Ask the children’s librarian at your library for more suggestions. Choose books you will enjoy reading (fiction and/or non-fiction).
Record the title, author, number of pages, and date completed for each book you read.
Explore! In and Around Houston
Take advantage of the many exciting free and inexpensive things to do in and near Houston!
Do at least five of the following and write about what you did.
(Try to do as many as possible. Place a check by each one you do):
Buffalo Bayou Park Sabine Street Bridge, between Allen Parkway and Memorial Drive;
A constantly rotating collection of outdoor art
Waugh Bat Colony Boat Tours—June 27, July 11, July 25, Aug. 8; An amazing view of the Mexican free-tailed bats as they emerge from Waugh Bridge; Boat departs 30 minutes before sunset; Reservations required; Ages 4+;
Twilight Tours, 6-8:30pm—June 6, Aug. 1; 30-minute boat ride along Buffalo Bayou where you may spot herons, jumping fish, and even an occasional alligator on the banks; No reservations;Ages 4+;
The HoustonMuseum of Natural Science
One Hermann Circle Drive; 713-639-4629; en español: 713-639-4603;
Open Daily, 9am-5pm; Butterfly Center, IMAX Theatre, Planetarium
Exhibit halls are FREEon Thursdays, 2pm-5pm;
Saturday, June 6, 10am-2pm: World Ocean Day Hands-on fun for all ages; Try out equipment used by marine biologists; Learn how to keep the oceans heathy; See “Humpback Whales 3D,” “Secret Ocean 3D,” and/or “Sharks 3D” on the Giant Screen
Friday, June 26, 6:30-8:30pm: World Trekkers China—Crafts, native cuisine, and entertainment inspired by China
Friday, August 7, 6:30-8:30pm: World Trekkers Italy—Crafts, native cuisine, and entertainment inspired by Italy
The Houston Museum of Natural Science at Sugar Land
13016 University Blvd; Sugar Land, TX77479; 281-313-2277;
Thursday, June 4, noon-4pm: End of School TreeHouse Party—Featuringactivities, crafts, bounce games, pizza and more; Celebrate the end of the year and the opening of the exhibit, TreeHouses, with an afternoon of fun; $5
Japanese Garden in Hermann Park
Free; Open daily 9am-6pm
Miller Outdoor Theatre in Hermann Park
281-373-3386 or 281-823-9103;
Bring a picnic and enjoy a show! All performances are free.
“Golden Dragon Acrobats” May 27, 8pm; “Swing, Jive, & Pop into Dance” June 3, 11am; “Sizzling Summer Dance” June 5, 8:30pm; “Hairspray, Jr.” (TUTS) June 10-12, 11am & “Hairspray” June 12-13, 8:15pm; Symphony Neighborhood Concert June 23, 11am; “Summer Symphony Nights”—June 18-20, 26-27, & July 4, 8:30 pm; Journey Through China V June 29 & July 3, 11am; Young Artists Concert June 30 & July 1, 11am; Movie at Miller: “The Wizard of Oz” July 3, 8:30pm; “Smokey Joe’s Café” (TUTS)—July 14-19, 8:15pm; Children’s Hilltop Festival—July 21-24, 11am;Houston Shakespeare Festival—July 31, Aug. 1-2, 4-9, 10 8:30 pm
Discovery Green
Young Writers Workshop in the Park (HPL Express)Saturdays 10:30; Open writing workshop for kids presented by Writers in the Schools; free
Thursday Concerts, 6:30pm
Kayak Boat Rides on Kinder Lake, daily, 11am-9pm; $5 per person
June 2-June 4, 2-4pm & 6:30-7:30pm: Flower workshops Create flowers to float on Kinder Lake
June 5, 6:30pm & June 6, 4pm: Maravilloso! 2015 The Water Festival
July 11, 6-10pm: Festival of Chariots
The Menil Collection (art museum)
1533 Sul Ross; 713-525-9400;
Open Wednesday - Sunday, 11 am to 7 pm; free of charge
Main Street Theater
Temporary location at 333 S. Jensen Dr.; 713-524-6706; “Fancy Nancy: The Musical” (June 13-Aug. 1) Saturdays 10:0am, 1pm, & 4pm
The Company OnStage (Children’s Theater)
Located in Southwest Houston, at 536 Westbury Square, just off of the corner of Chimney Rock and Burdine
713-726-1219; Tickets are $10 each; Reservations are recommended
Museum of Fine Arts, Houston
1001 Bissonnet (at Main); 713-639-7300 or 713-639-7310;
Open Tuesday/Wednesday, 10-5pm; Thursday, 10-9pm; Friday/Saturday, 10-7pm; Sunday, 12:15-7pm
Admission is free on Thursdays; FREEfor children 12 and younger
Summer Art Explorers: Journey through art around the world with sketching, games, stories, and studio
Thursdays, 11am-2pm (June 4, 11, 18, 25, July 2, 9, 16, 23, 30)
Creation Station: Create your own work of art in this drop-in studio workshop
Sketching in the Galleries: A teaching artist is on hand with paper, pencils, and clipboards to get you started.
Storytime Tour: 11:30am & 1pm
Family Storybook Circle: Ages 2-7Tuesdays(June 2,9, 16, 23, 30 July 7, 14, 21, 28, Aug. 4, 11) 11am-noon
Sketching in the Galleries: Sundays, 1-4pm; Materials are provided and an artist guides children
Family Zone & Studio: Sundays (June 7, 14, 21, 28, Jul 5, 12, 19, 26, Aug. 2, 9, 16, 23) 1-4pm
Family Packs & Book & a Look Check-out: Materials & activities to enhance your visit; Borrow free of charge at membership desk
Bayou Bend Detective Days: Tuesdays-Sundays; Self-guided outdoor detective adventures feature educational themes ranging from plants and trees to sculpture and architecture. Includes an Investigator’s Kit; Ages 6-12; Children 12 & Under FREE; Adults $10; 713-639-7759
July 4 Celebration at Bayou Bend:1-5pm; Performers, crafts, activities, refreshments, & more; free
HoustonCenter for Contemporary Craft
4848 Main; 713-529-4848;
Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10am – 5pm, Sunday, noon to 5pm; Free admission
Visit the small gallery, featuring art made of glass, fiber, clay, metal, or wood. Also peek into several artists’ studios.
“Hands on Houston,” a free family art activity (1st Saturday of every month)—Saturdays, June 6 & Aug. 1, 11am-3pm
Houston Arboretum and NatureCenter
4501 Woodway; 713-681-8433;
Trails open every day, 8am-dusk; Free admission
Discovery Room open Tuesday-Sunday, 10am-4pm
Arboretum at Night: BBQ, Telescopes, & Night in the Woods(ages 8+)—June 20, 7:30-10:30pm
Nature Discovery Center
7112 Newcastle St., Bellaire; 713-667-6550;
First Wednesday of every month (June 3, July 1, Aug. 5), 6:30pm—Nature Nights family-friendly talks
The George Observatory at Brazos Bend State Park
Located 55 miles southwest of downtown Houston in BrazosBendState Park. Take U.S. 59 south, past SugarLand to the Crabb River Road exit. Turn left and follow the brown signs to BrazosBendState Park.
$7 park entrance fee for adults; Free for children 12 and under; Land George Observatory
Saturdays at the George, 3-11pm; Astronomy activities for the whole family; Pack a picnic and enjoy the park!
Observe the Planets Night June 13, 3-11pm; Perseid Meteor Shower Aug. 12, 5pm-2am; Watch for Family Space Day: Missions in the Challenger Learning Center (ages 7+); 281-242-3055
Rocket Day at the George Observatory: June 6, July 11, Aug. 1, 10am-noon—A day of rocket launches and a mission to the Moon! Kids learn about rockets and how they work, build a water rocket and then launch it. After the launches, blast off for a simulated space flight in which kids become astronauts and use teamwork and problem-solving to accomplish their mission; 281-242-3055
Waugh Drive Bridge Bat Colony
The Waugh Bridge Bat Colony Observation Deck is located at the corner of Waugh Drive and Allen Parkway, directly across from the American General;
FreeFamily Bat Chats are held the first and third Friday of every month. For a brief presentation on the colony, please arrive at the Viewing Platform 30 minutes before sunset at the site. 250,000 Mexican free-tailed bats reside within the crevices of WaughDriveBridge and emerge after dusk to feed on area insects.
The Houston Zoo
1513 North MacGregor; 713-533-6500; Open 9 am to 7 pm daily;
SpaceCenterHouston
1601 Nasa Road 1 (NASA/Clear Lake area); 281-244-2100;
Open Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm; Saturday & Sunday 10am-7pm
Museum of Health and Medical Science
1515 Hermann Drive; 713-942-7054 or 713-521-1515;
Open Monday-Saturday, 9-5 pm; Sunday, noon-5 pm; Free admission on Thursdays, 2-5 pm
The Children’s Museum
1500 Binz in the Museum District; 713-522-1138;
Open Monday-Saturday, 10am-6pm and Sunday, noon-6pm; Free Family Nights every Thursday, 5 pm- 8 pm
The HoustonFireMuseum
2403 Milam; 713-524-2526; Open Tuesday-Saturday, 10 am-4 pm;
JohnC.FreemanWeatherMuseum
Temporarily closed for relocation;
1940 AirTerminalMuseum (at HobbyAirport)
8325 Travelair Rd.; 713-454-1940; Open Tues.-Sat., 10am-5pm and Sunday 1-5pm;
Third Saturdays, June 20, July 18, Aug. 15, 11am-3pm: Wings & Wheels—Includes static aircraft tours, special programs in the Starliner Theater, museum tours, and admission to the museum.
The OrangeShow
2401 Munger; 713-926-6368; Folk-art monument to the orange; Open Wed.-Sun., 12-5 pm;
The Beer Can House
222 Malone St.; Open Saturdays & Sundays, noon to 5pm;
The ArtCarMuseum
140 Heights Blvd.; 713-861-5526; Wednesday-Sunday, 11 am-6 pm; Free admission;
The Museum of Printing History
1324 West Clay; 713-522-4652; Tuesday-Saturday, 10am-5pm;Free ages 12 & younger;
Features printmaking workshops, a papermaking shop, and book bindery, operated by resident artists
Sky Lobby of JPMorganChaseTower
600 Travis St. (downtown Houston); 713-223-0441;
Open Monday through Friday, 9am-5pm (Closed holidays and weekends); Free
Express elevators travel from the ground floor to the Sky Lobby on the 60th floor in just 41 seconds;
Floor to ceiling windows in the tallest building in Houston.
SamHoustonPark
Allen Parkway at 1100 Bagby; 713-655-1912, ext. 101;
Guided historic house tours: Tuesday-Saturday, 10am, 11:30am, 1pm, 2:30pm
Tour fees: $15 adults; $6 for children 6-18; Museum gallery admission is free
Sam Houston Boat Tour, Port of Houston
For information or reservations on the M/V SAM HOUSTON, call 713-670-2416;
Free 90-minute cruises in the Port of Houston Wednesday-Sunday. Reservations are required in advance.
Zube Park (Houston Area Live Steamers)
713-758-8012;
Take US 290 Northwest toward Hempstead (27 miles from West Loop 610); Exit Roberts Road and turn right; Travel one mile; the track is on the right in Zube Park; Public Run Days--Free rides for the public on large model trains: June 20 (9-1pm), July 18 (9-1pm), August 15 (9-1pm)
Mercer Arboretum and Botanic Gardens
22306 Aldine Westfield Road (Humble, TX); 281-443-8731;
One mile north of FM 1960; Open daily 8-dusk; Free
Plants from around the world, including those found in tropical rainforests, deserts, and wetlands. Enjoy miles of nature trails, koi ponds, and picnic areas.
JesseH.JonesPark and NatureCenter
20634 Kenswick Drive (Humble, TX); 281-446-8588;
Open daily 8am-dusk; All programs and events are free
275-acre nature park preserves the Native American and pioneer lifestyles found along the banks of Cypress and Spring creeks during the late 1700s and early 1800s; Includes hiking trails, Redbud Hill Homestead, and Akokisa Indian Village; Second Saturday Settlers—June 13, July 11, & August 8, 1-3pm Hands-on demonstrations; All About Texas Bats May 30, 9am; Pollinators June 20, 10am; Bites, Stings & Itches June 27, 10am; *Texas Bound! Camp July 1, 9am-2pm; Dragonfly Workshop July 11, 9am-noon; *Owls July 18, 10am; Animal Tracks & Signs July 25, 10am; Snakes of Harris County Aug. 1, 10am; Reptile Open House Aug. 12, 1-4pm; Hummingbirds Aug. 22, 10am; *Reservations required for some events 281-446-8588
ArmandBayouNatureCenter
8500 Bay Area Blvd (Pasadena, TX); 281-474-2551 Ext 10; Open Wed.-Sat., 9am-5pm, Sunday noon-5pm;
2,500 acres of diverse ecosystems located near NASA; Explore hardwood forests, walk through restored prairies, and discover wetlands. Sundays, June 7, June 21, July 5, July 19, Aug. 2, Aug. 16, 1-5pm Free Sundays in Nature;
Saturday, June 6Aug. 1, 7:30pm Night Hike Owl ProwlAdvance reservations and small fee required
George Ranch Historical Park
10215 FM 762 (Richmond, TX); 281-343-0218;
Open Tuesday-Saturday, 9 am-5 pm; Adults $10; Ages 5-15 $5
Step into the Texas past and enjoy the ranch’s living history demonstrations and house museums.
Hands-On History Hour 11am &2pm--June 9-13: 1830s Rope-making; June 16-20: 1860s Lavender Sachets; June 23-27: 1890s Sharecropper Games; June 30-July 4: 1930s Calf Tying; July 7-11: 1830s Corn Husk Doll Making; July 14-18: 1860s Militia Drill; July 21-25: 1890s Paper Victorian Marbling; July 28-Aug. 1: 1930s Cold Canning; Aug. 4-8: 1830s Candle Making; Aug. 12-16: 1860s Historic Laundry; Aug. 19023: 1890s Greenhouse Planting; Aug. 24-30: Life-size Snakes & Ladder Game
June 13: Juneteenth Celebration & Historic Lunch
June 20, 11am & 2pm: Father’s Day Frontier Survival Class
July 4: Independence Day CelebrationGames of Our Forefathers Historic Lunch
Try letterboxing with your family! An outdoor treasure hunt—use maps, on-line clues, and a compass to find containers hidden all over the city, the country, and throughout the world! Visit and click “Getting Started.” Read “Start Finding Letterboxes” and “Letterboxing 101” to learn letterboxing guidelines and manners. Now you’re ready to begin! Go back to and click on “Clues.” Click on the state where you’ll be hunting, and then choose the city area from the next map. This is a fun addition to family vacations, too!
Out and About: Interesting things to do outside of Houston
Optional—Place a check by each of the following that you are able to do.
American Institute of Architects Sandcastle Competition, Galveston
East Beach, Galveston;
Saturday, May 30, 10 am - 4:30 pm—See fantastically creative sand sculptures; Free ($10 cash fee for parking)
Galveston Beach: Collect bivalve and gastropod shells to show us when you return.
Galveston Railroad Museum
2602 Santa Fe Place, The Strand at 25th Street, Galveston Island; Daily 10am-5pm; 409-765-5700;
15-minute vintage train rides most Saturdays; Call in advance to verify train ride schedule
MoodyGardens
One Hope Boulevard, Galveston; Open daily, 10am-6pm; 1-800-582-4673;
Tree Sculpture Tour
Outside private homes throughout Galveston; Artist-sculpted trees killed by Hurricane Ike;
MoodyMansion and Museum
2618 Broadway, Galveston; 409-762-7668;
11am-3pm daily; Tours on the hour; discount coupon on-line; 1895 mansion
Texas Seaport Museum/Elissa
Historic port of Galveston, Pier 21, Number 8; 409-763-1877;
Open daily, 10am-5pm; Explore the decks of 1877 tall ship ELISSA, a floating National Historic Landmark
Bolivar Ferry
Ferry Rd., Galveston; 409-795-2230;Free;
Operated by the Texas Department of Transportation—Watch for dolphins playing in the waves!
Drive south out of Houston on Interstate 45 to Galveston. After you cross the causeway to GalvestonIsland at mile marker "0" the highway turns into Broadway. Continue on Broadway and as you move East on the island you will observe signs directing you to the ferry landing. The 2.7 mile trip takes approximately 18 minutes to cross one of the busiest waterways in the world; Expect long waits on holidays.
National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration(NOAA) Fisheries Galveston Laboratory & Sea Turtle Facility
409-766-3500; Tours on Thursdays by advance appointment only; Free;
U.S. Federal Government Research Facility dedicated to raising threatened and endangered sea turtles in captivity; See up to 600 live sea turtles, including Kemp’s Ridley and Loggerhead, housed in saltwater tanks
Shangri La Botanical Gardens & Nature Center
2111 West Park Avenue (Orange, TX); 409-670-9113;
Open Tuesday-Saturday, 9am-5pm; $6 adults, $2 Ages 4-9
A tranquil sanctuary with over 300 types of plants and a wide variety of wildlife; Up Close with Nature (Live animal shows)—May 30, June 27, July 25, & August 29, 2-2:30pm
Sea Center Texas
300 Medical Drive in Lake Jackson; 979-292-0100;
Open Tuesday-Saturday, 9 am-4 pm and Sunday, 1-4 pm; Free
Marine education center located on 75 acres in Lake Jackson. Visitor center includes a touch tank, six saltwater aquariums, and a trophy fish exhibit.
Antique Rose Emporium
10,000 Hwy 50 in Brenham, TX; 979-836-5548;
Open Mon-Sat 9am-5pm, Sun 11am-5pm; Beautiful display gardens;Free
Blue Bell Factory Tour
Brenham; 800-327-8135;
45-minute tours on weekdays only: 8:30am-3pm
From Houston, take Highway 290 West approximately 72 miles. When you pass the old drive-in theatre turn right on Loop 577, go past the second stoplight and the Blue Bell factory is on the right.
LadyBirdJohnsonWildflowerCenter
4801 La Crosse Avenue in Austin, Texas; 512-232-0100;
Grounds open Daily, 9am-5pm
Ride the Austin Steam Train
512-477-8468;
Tour Austin or the surrounding hill country by train; Located in CedarPark, just North of Austin, Texas on US Hwy 183
NaturalBridge Caverns (Between San AntonioNew Braunfels)
26495 Natural Bridge Caverns Rd.; Open daily, 9am-5pm; 210-651-6101;
Travel 180 feet below the surface of the earth to see stalactites, stalagmites, and underground creeks and pools.
Cave Without a Name (Less than 12 miles from Boerne)
325 Kreutzberg Road; Open daily, 9am-6pm; 830-537-4212;
Turn off Scenic Highway 474 onto Kreutzberg Road, then drive 5 miles to the Cavern (last mile is on gravel road)—Map on-line
Guided one hour tour of the cave, including stalactites, stalagmites, soda straws, cave drapery, flowstones, and more!
June 20, 7:30pm:Summer Solstice concert
Longhorn Caverns (near Burnet, Texas)
6 miles west and 6 miles south of Burnet on Park Road 4, off U.S. Hwy. 281; 877-441-2283 (toll free);
Open daily,Hourly tours 10am-4pm; A river-formed cavern—experience natural wonders such as Crystal City, an area of the cavern adorned with calcite crystals, formed by standing pools of calcium-saturated water
MineralWellsFossilPark (Mineral Wells, TX)
Friday-Monday, 8am-dusk;
Collect abundant "Pennsylvanian Period" (just over 300 million years old!) fossils; FREE admission all day
DinosaurValleyState Park (Glen Rose, Texas)
254-897-4588 or Reservations 512-389-8900;
Located just Northwest of Glen Rose; See some of the best preserved dinosaur tracks in the world.