As the End of the School Year Approaches, Families Often Ask How to Support Student Learning

Dear Parents,

As the end of the school year approaches, families often ask how to support student learning over the summer.

Already, you are planning summer experiences that build on what their children have been learning in school, spark new curiosities about the world, and help your child gain confidence. Riding bikes, hiking, visiting the public library, playing in the neighborhood, attending summer camp, playing board games as a family, and traveling outside of our city build knowledge and are a part of their learning experience. Reading books and discussing them together also develops rich language skills and fosters a love of literacy. In addition, the more relaxed summer schedule can be a wonderful time to build independence and confidence at all ages as children learn new skills such as tying shoes, and how to contribute to family chores.

In addition to all of that, if you are seeking tools to boost or just keep up academic skills, technology resources may be motivating for your children. Here are some optional tools you might like to utilize in order to support your child’s learning.

I wish you a wonderful summer full of new memories and time with your family!

Sincerely,

Pamela Jasso Principal

Accounts Provided by SCSD, which will remain active throughout the summer:

Everyday Math Online (Grades K-5) http://em-ccss.everydaymathonline.com/g_login.html Log-in information was distributed earlier this school year for participating classes. Please ask your teacher if you’d like another copy.

Lexia Reading Core 5 (Grades K-4) Accounts were provided to children who worked with Mrs. Moyer or Mrs. Naumowicz our literacy support teachers, or Mrs. Overfelt, resource teacher. Please contact your child’s teacher, or email me at [email protected], if you need another login information page.

RAZ Kids Reading (Grades K-5) http://www.raz-kids.com/main/Login Log-in information was sent home by participating teachers, or Mrs. Overfelt. Again, please contact me if you need another login email letter. Typing Club (Grades 3-5) http://www.typingclub.com/login.html Students log-in using Google accounts provided this school year. Please ask your child’s teacher if you need another copy. Keyboarding is part of our new standards beginning in Grade 3, and weekly summer practice will help your child’s skills grow!

Other Free Resources:

Book Creator (Grades K-5) http://www.redjumper.net/bookcreator/ This free iPad app empowers children to create and publish their own e-books! Children take photos and add text to their books, making this a motivating summer journaling tool to grow writing skills.

Common Sense Media (Parents) https://www.commonsensemedia.org/ This site is for parents seeking tools and advice to guide family media use. It includes practical resources such as “Essential Books for Kids and Teens” as well as “Best Apps” by age group.

Math Cards (1-5) https://play.google.com/store/apps/details? id=com.teachersparadise.mathpractice This app provides fact practice for all operations. Select specific facts to practice and brush up on skills!

Scratch! (Grades 1-5) http://scratch.mit.edu/parents/ “Scratch is a programming language and an online community where children can program and share interactive media such as stories, games, and animation with people from all over the world. As children create with Scratch, they learn to think creatively, work collaboratively, and reason systematically. Scratch is designed and maintained by the Lifelong Kindergarten group at the MIT Media Lab.”

Splash Math (Grades K-4) https://www.splashmath.com/ Set up your child’s free account and receive weekly progress reports by email. This resource provides practice in key math concepts by grade level.

Time for Kids (Grades 2-5) http://www.timeforkids.com/ TFK is a kid-friendly version of Time Magazine. It’s a great resource for short, informational articles about world events. Children may enjoy choosing articles as a daily reading option.

Youcubed Math (Grades K-5) http://www.youcubed.org/ Created by Stanford professor and leader in mathematics education, Jo Boaler. This resource provides engaging tools for both kids and parents.