Colour Perception in Skin Disease Diagnosis

Colour Perception in Skin Disease Diagnosis Color Perception Dermatologist’s perspective Abstract: Light and color are two important tools for the dermatologist in diagnosing skin diseases. Many articles have focused on the importance of light and illumination but there are only scanty literature about the importance of color perception. The definitions of color, color spaces and their types, assessment of color and its applications, recent advances in human color vision is reviewed. Key words: Color, colorspace, RGB, CIE L*a*b*, Spectrophotometry, Colorimetry Color perception is due to the evoked neural responses in the eye and visual cortex because of light stimulus. Colors differ from each other in wavelength, intensity, and saturation. The importance of color in plants ranges from attracting insects for pollination to production of bright colored fruits for seed dispersal. Color pigments are present in many animal species and has evolutionary importance for searching food, escaping from predators etc. Human skin color is linked with evolution and is changing according to the environment where humans live. Color science has various implications in telemedicine,dentistry,biometrics,anthropology, cosmetics,textiles , artificial intelligence, etc . Color of the human skin, mucosa, nails plays an important part in the social communication ,diagnosis and treatment of dermatological disorders. Dermatologists need to know about the biophysics of skin, eye ,color spaces , illumination sources to understand about perception of color . All visible colors to human eye can be produced by some combination of the three primary colors, either by additive or subtractive processes. Human color perception is most sensitive to light in the yellow-green region of the spectrum. We have three types of cone receptors for the long(L),medium(M),short (S) wavelengths. The balance of neural activity in these three receptors accounts for the millions of color shades. This is utilized by the Bayer array in modern digital cameras. The number of L, M, S color sensitive cones in the human retina differs among people by up to forty times. Human perception of color is controlled much more by the brain than by the eyes. Color vision has distributed processing in the cortex, with a number of brain zones being involved in processing wavelength data and creating color sense . Cone receptors in the human eye lose their color sensitivity with age, but subjective experience of color remains same over the years. The perception of color is flexibl e and relies on biological processes in the brain and eye. Phenotyping based on skin color has been attempted by many researchers the well known one is Fitzpatrick’s I to VI skin types.Though there are some drawbacks in this classification this is useful in a variety of ways treating diseases with phototherapy, in predicting the post inflammatory hyperpigmentation, for making skin colored prostheses , skin grafting etc. Human skin color can also be classified by visual color matching using the Munsell charts. But visual clinical methods of skin color evaluation for diagnostic purposes are so far mostly subjective and inaccurate. Many studies quantitate the skin color based on the spectrophotometry or tricolorimetry measurements which gives the absolute values of the color. The spectral reflectance provides a lot of biological and medical information about skin and mucosa. In case of non availability of these equipments digital cameras and software has been employed to compare and quantitate human color taken under standard conditions. Analysis of color data has to be done by a conceptual tool called color space. Color space aid the process of describing color between people , between software or machines. Color gamut is the area enclosed by a color space in two or three dimensions. Color space is useful to understand the color capabilities of a particular device or digital image and also useful to identify colors in a more intuitive way. There are many color spaces – sRGB, Adobe RGB, L*a*b*, L*u*v*, CMYK etc. Different color spaces are better for different applications. RGB is used in many display devices computer monitor, digital camera or a television, which uses these as its base colors. CMYK is more commonly used in printers. However, no two display devices are equal. A color shade defined by certain value of RGB on one device may look completely different on another device. A device dependent color space is a color space where the color produced depends both the parameters used and on the equipment used for display. Many devices have their own device-dependent RGB color spaces. RGB space can be visualised like a cube with the three axes corresponding to red, green and blue. L*a*b* color space proposed by CIELAB is popular because it is device independent and the L parameter has a good correlation with perceived lightness. It is non linear and intended to mimic the logarithmic responses of the human eye. Any color can be described by a combination of three coordinates, L*, a*,and b* , where L* is the total quantity of light reflected ,a* represents color ranging from red to green , and b* represents color ranging from blue to yellow . L* measures the brightness component of color, and it varies on an achromatic gray scale between a value of 0 (black) to100 (white). The a* and b* coordinates can be converted into hue angle and chroma of color . Hue refers the degree to which a stimulus can be described as similar to or different from stimuli where 0Â ° represents red and 90Â ° represents yellow. Chroma describes the intensity of color, with higher chroma indicating greater intensity. Melanin density and distribution can be assessed by the L* values wheras erythema can be known by the a* values. The color of gluteal region can be taken as the constitutive color whereas the cheek will give details of the facultative color. Skin that is usually exposed to the sun has a more intense red component, presumably because of increased vascularization. Exposed skin also showed lower reflectance (L*) than covered skin, probably because of melanin .Higher L* levels were associated with lighter skin, tendency for sunburn and less tanning . Han K et al (1) observed that the L*a*b* color space to be the most popular system used to measure skin color. The average L*a*b* values for the body parts were 61.74, 9.56 and 17.07, respectively. The site of lightest skin was found to be the medial arm , whereas the darkest was on the forehead . Redness was highest on the cheek and lowest on the medial arm . Skin color was lighter and more yellow in females than in males, whereas redness was higher in males. The factors that significantly influenced L* were sex, work place and sunbathing, factors that influenced a* were sex, work place and smoking; and the factors that influenced b* were sunbathing and age . Ian LWeatherall et al (2) did color measurement in ventral forearm of skin of 99 subjects and expressed the results in terms of color space L*, a*, and b* values. L* values ranged from 59.7 to 73.4.The hue angle ranged from 54.0 to 77.8degrees.The chroma values ranged from 13.2 to 21.6. These color-space parameters are proposed for the unambiguous communication of skin color information that relates directly to visual observations of clinical importance or scientific interest. Yun et al (3) introduced a new technique to measure L*a*b* color coordinates and the melanin and erythema indexes at the same time by analyzing the skin color of normal Asians . While the correlation of the melanin index with the L* value was negative, it was positively correlated with the a* and b* values. While the erythema index showed a weak correlation with the b* value, its correlation was negative with the L* value and positive with the a* value. Change in colorimetric values of bruises over time was significant for all three color parameters (L*a*b*), the most notable changes being the decrease in red (a*) and increase in yellow (b*) starting at 24 h.( 4) Colorimetric skin color values can also be used to study pigmentation capacity, to predict the risk of actinic cancer, in the study of reactions induced by physical and allergic stimuli ,for choosing appropriate sunscreens (5) Comparison using cheaper and novel ideas in this regard is yet to come. Recent advances in Information technology has allowed us to understand color vision and to extract the true color of the skin. REFERENCES 1) Han K, Choi T, Son D et al Skin color of Koreans: statistical evaluation of affecting factors. Skin Research and Technology 2006; 12(3):170-7 2) Ian LWeatherall1 and Bernard DCoombs Skin Color Measurements in Terms of CIELAB Color Space Values . Journal of Investigative Dermatology 1992; 99: 468–473. 3) Yun IS,LEE WJ et al Skin color analysis using a spectrophotometer in Asians. Skin Res Technol. 2010 ;16(3):311-5. 4) Scafide, K. R., et al. Evaluating change in bruise colorimetry and the effect of subject characteristics over time. Forensic Sci Med Pathol 2013; 9(3): 367-376. 5) Andreassi ,Flori L Practical applications of cutaneous colorimetry. Clinics in Dermatology 1995; 13(4):369-73

The Breast Cancer Information Gap :: essays research papers

This article is about the risks of breast implants and breast cancer. The author believes that people making decisions to have breast reconstruction need to be well informed before they make the choice. The risks of breast implants include pain, breakage, leakage, and links to many other diseases. There are two types of breast implants. There are saline and silicone. Both of them have outer silicone shells but one is filled with saline and the other silicone. The FDA didn't look at the hazards of breast implants until 1991. They realized that leakage of silicone could be harmful and insisted on restricting the use of silicone implants. In 1999, there were versions of saline implants that were approved by the FDA to be "safe" Silicone breast implants are said to feel more natural, yet the saline implants are safer in case of rupture. It is not really known that saline implants have their fair share of risks. Seventy percent of patients will experience at least one of the fol lowing four problems: pain, hardness, infection, or rupture within the first 3 years of the surgery. The most common problem is Capsular Contracture. This occurs in thirty-five percent of women who get either saline or silicone implants. In a Capsular Contracture the scar tissue tightens around the implant causing the breast to be hard, misshapen, and painful. All breast implants are going to eventually break anytime between three months and ten-fifteen years. Twenty-five percent of women with implants have them removed within three years following the surgery due to leakage or breakage. When a saline implant breaks, the saline leaks out really fast. The saline is absorbed by the body and the deflated implant will need to be surgically removed. On the other hand, when a silicone implant ruptures it is a bit more of a mess. Silicone tends to be sticky, so it can be hard to impossible to completely remove all of it. When an implant breaks, there could be pain, bumps, tenderness, tingling, and even numbness in her breasts. Sometimes, there can be what is called "silent rupture" where the gel slowly migrates to other parts of the body.

Apple and Increasing Market Share

Apple Inc. is a successful developer of both computers and consumer electronics. The company’s most popular products include Macintosh computers, iPod mp3 players, iPhone smartphones and most recently the iPad, which is a hybrid of a tablet computer, and an eReader. Apple’s Macintosh computers, iPods, iPhones, and iPads all share characteristics that make them part of the general information technology industry. However, since they are very different products each belongs to a more specific industry. The Macintosh computers are included in the personal computer industry, iPods in the personal media player category and, depending on the model, the mobile internet device (MID) market and iPhones to the smartphone and MID industry. The iPad has not been released to the general public yet, but considering its various features it could belong to many markets. However, it will most likely be competing with the internet tablets, netbooks, and eReaders. Considering their competitors, one could surmise that the iPad will belong to both PC and eReader markets. By incorporating market assessment and predictions for each of Apple’s products, as well as consumer research into the promotional strategy, Apple will be able to improve its product sales 10% over 2011. Macintosh computers are Apple’s oldest product category. Their price point is significantly higher than Windows based PCs. This knowledge, combined with Apple’s popular Mac vs. PC television ads, can tell us a little bit about Apple’s target consumer. In the Mac vs. PC ads, Mac is represented by a young, trendy individual while PC is represented by a middle-aged nerd. This depiction of Mac, coupled with its higher prices (the cheapest Mac sells for $999), tells us that Mac is trying to attract younger individuals, within the 18-24, 25-34 and 35-44 age bracket with a higher-than-average income of the $50,000-$79,000 bracket and above. Due to the higher price point, Apple is targeting college graduates, because they tend to make more money. In the famous Mac vs. PC ads, Mac is portrayed by a male actor indicating that the company’s target market may be slightly more aimed at males than females (Get a Mac – Watch the TV Ads). Maintaining the current target market appears to be a wise strategy since reducing prices now in order to attract less affluent consumers could risk Apple’s image as a status symbol and its brand equity, especially when one considers a recent study of Apple consumer psychographics in which Mac users were considered to be less modest and more assured of their self superiority than the general population. I would recommend, however, that the Macintosh not entirely dismiss the female audience or older consumers. Older consumers tend to have more disposable income than the younger consumer. Therefore, with the brand’s higher price point, it would make sense to include the 45+ consumers in promotional strategy as well (Fried). As part of the personal computer industry, Macs are subject to several trends occurring within the industry. First, industrial design is becoming much more important in the minds of consumers than technological features. Consumers want computers that are more portable and can handle work and school requirements. Lower-priced mini-notebooks are becoming increasingly popular with consumers. It should be noted that the according to Gartner, ‘mini-notebooks were the only growing PC segment in 2009. ’ In another recent study by Gartner, it was predicted that by 2014 in a mature market, design would be the primary reason 20% of consumers will decide to purchase a new computer. However, computer firms should consider not only the outward design of the machine. Consumers also want user-friendly systems that work well with their other electronic devices. The second factor impacting the personal computer market is increased concentration on targeting even younger consumers. The main features expected to entice these youths are touchscreens and cheap mini-notebooks. Gartner has predicted that ‘by 2015, more than 50% of PCs sold to users under the age of 15 will have touchscreens. ’ Similarly the research company predicted that 20% of mini-notebooks would be sold to consumers 12 years of age and younger by 2012. It is also predicted that mini-notebook sales to children will be the quickest growing segment among PCs (Kitagawa). Considering this information there are many routes Apple can take to increase their market share in the personal computer industry. First, for consumers who want cheaper options, portability, and great design, Apple should use this as an opportunity to position the iPad as an alternative to the mini-notebook. The $499 device is capable of running Apple’s version Microsoft Office, iWorks, and in the future the iPad application store may include Microsoft Office apps. The device basically allows consumers to do more or less the same things as a mini-notebook but has the sleeker design and more user friendly interface that consumers are demanding. An alternative to this would be for Apple to design a mini-notebook version of the Macintosh since at present, the closest thing Apple has to compete with this product is the Apple Air, which while it does weigh less than most computers on the market, the product is still very wide in comparison to the standard mini-notebook (IPad – See the Web, Email, and Photos like Never Before). If Mac wants to continue to compete against its Windows counterparts, Dell, Toshiba, HP and Asus, the company needs to be prepared to compete in the mini-notebook arena. Apple could do this by positioning the iPad as a mini-notebook in consumers’ minds or by creating a new product, a Macintosh mini-notebook (Kitagawa). A second route Apple could take to improve its sales involves the trend of multi-touch surface computers becoming increasingly important in targeting younger personal computer users. Gartner noted that due to this trend, new markets will be developed for lower cost, with touchscreen computers targeted toward younger users. Apple could define this market with its iPad, or a version of the iPad. Especially since younger users have an easier time using touch screens that are horizontal (like the iPad) than vertical screens (like a netbook). It is important that Apple work on defining this market now, because the new Windows 7 operating system is fully equipped to allow PCs, Mac’s biggest competitors, to enter the portable touch-screen PC market (Kitagawa). To solidify the best strategy in increasing sales in the personal computer industry, Apple should conduct research surveys to determine if an Apple mini-notebook is something consumers would be interested in, and if given the choice at the same price (currently $499), would they prefer an Apple netbook to an Apple iPad? This would enable Apple to determine whether or not a new product needs to be created to compete in the mini-notebook market. In addition, since design is becoming increasingly important in the computer industry, Apple should seek consumer feedback concerning ways Macs could improve their current designs. To effectively promote the iPad as a netbook, Apple can take several avenues. First, because the iPad could be easily adapted by children, Apple could greatly bolster its iPad sales by developing educational software for the device and targeting elementary schools with sales promotions and direct marketing emphasizing the product’s educational benefits. To employ this strategy, Apple should send direct mail to public schools and include discounts on iPads based on the schools economic need. Marketing the iPad as computer for children via direct marketing and not the mass media will also help avoid associating the iPad solely as a children’s computer. Apple’s iPad has already done a great job of utilizing public relations to create a buzz about the product. In fact, the product won’t be released until April, 2010 but the United States government is already worried that its popularity will slow down the internet as new iPad users access the internet (Bellaria). To market the product as a netbook, Apple should consider emphasizing the attachable keyboard that would allow the product to be better positioned as mini-notebook (IPad). The best way to do this would be to put ads on the big four broadcast networks, ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC. Apple targets a wide range of consumers and advertising on these networks prior to the product’s release would reach a wide range of the target market. As far as marketing Macintosh computers, Apple should keep the current Mac versus PC ads, but incorporate female versions of the ads to entice more females to switch from PC to Mac. Finally, because the older consumer is a great potential market, Apple should include advertising in news magazines, a medium popular with older adults (Newsmagazine Demographics: A Graying Market). Since many older consumers are apprehensive about technology, the ads should emphasize Macintosh computers’ ease of use and small learning curve. Currently the Apple iPod personal media player offers lower price points and has garnered a market share of around 70%, exceeding all mp3 players for several years. The iPod is to mp3 players what the Sony Walkman was to tape players (Elmer-DeWitt). For this reason, Apple’s target demographic is definitely broader for iPod than its Macintosh brand, partly because of the mix of low and high prices of iPods ranging from the $59 iPod Shuffle to the high-end $399 iPod Touch. Apple still focuses its attention on younger consumers for the simple reason that this age bracket is more comfortable with technology. The iPod targets age brackets from the 12-17 range to the 35-44 age range. Males are typically more tech savvy so they make up a slightly higher percentage of the gender demographic. Since the iPod is a cheaper product, household incomes, with the exception of the $15,000 and below bracket are potential consumers. High school students are another great market for the iPod so those with some high school education and beyond are also targeted by Apple. As for psychographics, the consumer base for the iPod is so broad it would be hard to narrow down consumer similarities to anything more than a love of music (Play Music and More on IPod). The portable mp3 industry is reaching its penetration point and sales are starting to stabilize (Elmer-Dewitt). Portable media players like the mp3 are also following a more connected trend. This means more and more devices, such as the iPod touch are allowing users to access the internet through Wi-Fi networks. Because the iPod is doing so well and has such a loyal brand following, all Apple needs to do is continue to invest just enough in R&D to stay with the competition (Baker). The iPod has reached the maturity age as sales have stabilized in this area. It is time for Apple to start thinking about cutting costs in this department and milking the brand by reducing costs to increase profit margins (Aaker). The iPod can employ a flighting schedule, going on flight hiatus until before and during the peak holiday period to cut costs. iPod only needs to maintain its image as the mp3 player to have. This can be done by continuing some television advertising to general audiences on the 4 major broadcasting networks as well as channels popular with youth, like MTV and the Disney Channel, in which new music is promoted along with the Apple device, thus linking the iPod with youth. Also, since online advertising is extremely effective with younger consumers, commercial banners on youth oriented sites such as MTV. com or Hulu. com will continue to keep the iPod positioned as the definitive music player for the 12-17 and 18-24 year old consumers. Sales promotions allowing consumers to get a discount on a new iPod if they turn in their old model could also be effective for the product. This would also maintain brand loyalty and create a unique selling proposition among mp3 players. The iPhone is very similar to the iPod, especially the iPod touch, in that it can play music and video, (and like the iPod touch, access the internet); however, the device also acts as a cell phone. Over the course of the first quarter for 2010, Apple sold 8. 7 million iPhones, a 100 percent growth in sales from 2009’s first quarter. (Reports First Quarter Results) However, in the smartphone industry, Blackberry still leads the market and Google’s Android has gained a 4% increase in market share. Currently, these smartphones are Apple’s biggest threat. The iPhone has only gained a . 04% market share (Turner). The problem iPhone is likely facing here is the demographics the product is targeting and attracting. The average buyer of the iPhone is almost evenly split among the 15-24, 25-34 and 35-49 age brackets (31, 32 and 31 percent, respectively). 74 percent of iPhone consumers are males and 58% have graduated college. Finally, the average household income of the iPhone is $75,600, so the target consumer likely falls into either the $50,000 to $79,000 or $80,000 to $94,000 household income range. The psychographics of the Apple iPod are the same as those of Mac users because both products, iPhones and Macs, are considered status symbols (White). In the case of the iPhone, Apple needs to work on targeting older users. Only 6% of iPhone users are above the age of 50; however, these consumers have more money to spend. Also, because of the intuitive touch interface, the ease of use of the iPhone could be a strong selling proposition for older consumers without much technological experience. Apple should continue researching ways to improve the ease of use of its product since as the smartphone industry progresses, large screens and touch interfaces are becoming commonplace. Improved usability, longer battery life, and network optimization is where smartphone will be competing in the future (Baker). To improve the user experience of the iPhone, Apple should conduct ethnographic research on current iPhone users. These studies could uncover user frustrations concerning the iPhone experience and focus on the features consumers currently like about the product. This will help Apple improve the user experience even more and enable the company to more effectively market the device to a wider range of less technologically inclined users. Apple could also include an ‘easy interface’ application specifically designed for the older consumer (Aaker). Like the promotional strategy discussed for Macintosh computers, Apple should take out ads in news magazines like Time and Newsweek ,which are targeted to an older demographic, in order to promote the iPhone’s ease of use and possibly the new ‘easy interface’ application to more senior consumers. In regards to the newest Apple iPad, this product has a lot of potential to increase Apple’s sales over the next year. It has already been discussed how the product could increase sales by positioning itself as a competitor in the netbook and touch PC market. In addition, the device can also be positioned as competitor in the eReader market. Gartner recently suggested that the eReader industry would great potential if some current issues were resolved. The first issue is that the eReader industry has not agreed on a proprietary file format for eBooks. This means that currently, there is not a standard book file format that can be transferred from one eReader to another (Baker). However, Apple has enjoyed much success with its iTunes and Application stores for its iPhone and iPod devices. Apple can leverage it online media store competencies to really make the iBookstore a success. If the iBookstore can be as successful as iTunes, not only will this increase eBook sales for Apple, it will also be good for the industry as a whole as it may provide eBook readers with a common file format (Aacker). The Apple company needs to be cautious and strategic however since Barnes and Noble, the owner of one of Apple’s eReader competitors, The Nook, has announced plans to create its own free online bookstore application for the iPad (Hamblen). Another element that has been afflicting the eReader industry is the price relative to the benefit. The Amazon Kindle’s cheapest version sells for $259 (Kindle Wireless Reading Device) and Barnes and Noble’s Nook sells for the same price (Nook, EBook Reader, EReader). The Sony Reader has a pocket version of its reader, set at a price of $199 (Sony – Reader Pocket Edition). These prices are currently considered to be too high for most consumers considering the only function of the eReader is to allow consumers to read. The cheapest version of the iPad is to sell at $499. Even though this is almost twice as high as the Kindle, Nook, and Sony Reader, the iPad offers many more benefits, such as video and audio playback, and access to the internet (IPad). Consumers are therefore more likely to forgive the relatively higher price of the iPad since it offers so many more benefits (Baker). The iPad should continue its mass media commercials on the major networks and work to emphasize its iBookstore in commercials in order to edge out the Barnes and Noble reader application being designed to compete with the iBookstore. Historically, new Apple products are much sought after and are considered status symbols. Because of this, the iPad will be targeted to higher household incomes, primarily the $50,000 to $79,000 and $80,000 to $94,000 brackets. Like other Apple products, the target market will likely lean more toward the male audience and include primarily college raduates. The age range will also likely be 18-24, 25-34, and 35-44 as older consumers typically avoid newer technologies. To generalize all Apple products and their promotional strategies, CEO Steve Jobs does an excellent job of using PR to introduce Apple products and create a buzz for them. However, after the initial buzz wears off, so does the PR. One way Apple could keep its name in the news is by creating a charitable organization, such as an after school technology learning program for inner city high school students, incorporating Mac products into that organization. Overall, Apple is in a very good position to increase its sales over 2011. Consumers are embracing technology, especially mobile media technology. More and more people are watching videos online and embracing smartphone technology (Bhatia). Apple should continue to emphasize the user-friendliness and great design of its products to the young, old, and everyone in between. If Apple does this, in addition to the many promotional strategies outlined above, a 10% increase in sales over 2011 will be very probable and Apple will have a lot of potential for future growth as well.

Summer Word List for Writing Prompts or Worksheets

Children can forget a lot over the long summer vacation, which can last up to three months. To keep their skills fresh, help them retain what they have learned, and get them ready for the next school year, give them over-the-summer assignments containing summer-related words. Matching vocabulary to the fun summer vacation activities and topics will heighten student interest. Use this summer word list to create many summer activities such as worksheets, writing prompts, word walls, word searches, journal writing, and mini lists for students to memorize, either as sight words or using flashcards. The words are grouped in sections by alphabetical order to make it easier to find just the vocabulary you are seeking. Air Conditioning to Cooler Summer months tend to be hot, so terms like air conditioning and cooler are sure to be on students minds. But, there are also fun words associated with the season, such as amusement parks, baseball, beach, and berries—which are all prevalent during the summer.   Use these terms to create a  summer word search or crossword puzzle. The linked example printables can give you ideas and help get you started, or use the free worksheets, which contain some of the words on this list as well as other summer-related terms. Air ConditioningAmusement ParkApplesAugustBackpackBallBaseballBeachBerriesBucketCampingCarnivalCooler Daisy to Grasshoppers Kids love plants and insects, so tie these words in to  free science printables, which cover those topics as well as oceanography-related terms. Or use patriotic words, such as Fourth of July and flag, as writing prompts. Instruct students to write a short paragraph or essay (depending on their ages and ability levels) on what they plan to do on the Fourth of July or what the American flag represents and why they think its important. Alternatively, have students maintain a small garden (with their parents help) and keep a daily or weekly journal about their experiences. Who knows? They may even see a grasshopper or two along the way. DaisyDivingFamilyFarmFerris wheelFlagFlowersFourth of JulyFriendsFrisbeeGamesGardenGatheringsGrassGrasshoppers Hat to Shovel Use any or all of the words in this section to create a word wall. Type or print the words in big, bold letters on sheets of construction paper, and hang the words at various locations throughout the class, or create a bulletin board dedicated to these terms. Have each student draw a picture related to an assigned word, or have each of your older students write a paragraph about an assigned word or two. HatHikingHolidayHotHumidIce CreamJoyJulyJuly FourthJuneLightningOceanOutdoorsOutsideParkPicnicPlayingPopsicleRelaxRoseSandalsSandcastleSeaSeashoreSeasonShortsShovel Sidewalk Chalk to Zoo Buy some sidewalk chalk; then have students go outside and draw a picture of one of the assigned words or a scene featuring several words. (Make sure you get the principals permission first.) You can have students do this individually or in groups. Then, take pictures using smartphones, go back inside (or find a nice shady spot), and discuss the scenes or images students have drawn. Send the list of words in this section home with students and ask them to write a short paragraph over the summer using some of the words, based on the activities they participated in during the season. Students are sure to come back in the fall, excited to share their stories, which include their summer words. Sidewalk ChalkSnorkelSportsStarsStrawberriesSummerSunSunburnSundressSunflowerSunglassesSunhatSunnySunscreenSwimSwim TrunksSwimsuitTanThunderThunderstormTravelTripTubeVacationVisitWater ParkWater skiWatermelonWavesZoo