Summer Camp 2011 Summer Recess and Academic Loss by Sebas�An Ziraba, Ed.D

S.cienceT.echnologyE.ngineeringM.athematics Summer Learning 2011!!!

Optimal Learning Centers STEM CAMP

OPTIMAL LEARNING CENTERS Summer Camp 2011 Summer Recess and Academic Loss By Sebasan Ziraba, Ed.D. Research studies have consistently shown that students from preschool through high school average at least two months of academic loss over summer recess. Studies have also shown that by parcipang in well-planned summer programs, achievement loss does not occur. In fact, based on the quality of the program, many students actually experience academic achievement over the summer. The summer program at Opmal Learning Centers is designed to elevate student achievement movaon. Emphasis is placed on accelerang the summer campers’ learning and development; raising their levels of achievement movaon, skill development and school enjoyment; and encouraging parents to be more directly involved in their children’s educaon. Objecves are achieved through acvies and projects that will involve the students in health and physical fitness via SPARK (Sports, Play and Acve Recreaon for Kids). Each session highlights a different sport that includes soccer, Frisbee, basketball, track and field, soball, wall ball/handball and hockey. Each week the Naonal STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathemacs) program includes earth, space, life and physical science as well as concepts in technology and engineering. The concepts will also be realized through learning about the: cultures, geography, games and dances of Brazil, Pakistan, South Africa, China and Kenya. During the week of July 25th- July 29th campers will celebrate children’s fesvals of the above countries. The major highlight of the summer will be the campers performing the new version of the Snow White children’s musical play sponsored by the well known Pioneer Theater Producons. A major component of the program is our ongoing Praccal Life acvies at both the preschool and elementary school levels. Through this component, children learn to adapt to the social context of their environment. The acvies include: care of self, care of the environment, exercises of grace, control of physical movement, preparaon and acvies involved in going out, especially for the elementary aged children. Detailed informaon about the program can be accessed by going to: www.opmallearningcenters.com. Centers are located at: Sally Ride School (301-972-6415) and Waters Landing School (301-972-1334) Germantown;, Montrose School (301-770-4233) (Rockville); Emory Grove OLC (301-670-9117) Gaithersburg. JUNE - Week 1- Focus: June 20th- June 24th STEM

(Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Earth and Life Science Physical Technology/ STEM Space Science Science Engineering Fair - Recognize -Recognize -Sort objects -Identify and -STEM Fair that water, that animals by observable describe rocks, soil, (including properties characteristic and living humans) and such as size, of natural organisms are plants are shape, color, material (e.g., found on the living things weight and wood, cotton, earth’s that grow, texture. fur, wool) and surface. reproduce, human-made and need food, materials (e.g., air and water. plastic, Styrofoam)

All Over the World (Global Literacy) - Cape Town and South Africa (Week 1 and 2)

Creative Crafts for Clever Kids - Trash Treasures (Week 1 and 2)

Fine Arts - You are the conductor

JUNE - Week 1 Focus: June 20th – June 24th THEME: PATENTS Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Charles William Be inventive. Become an Write a letter Goodyear Clarkson, Jr. Think about inventor! as if you were patented his patented the what product Create your requesting a process for bicycle on might make own new patent on your vulcanizing June 26, 1918. life easier product using new product. rubber on Decorate now. Draw a modeling clay Include why June 15, 1844. bicycles for a picture or and toothpick you think your What can you celebration write a or straws, or product is make of 5 or parade. description recycled useful. fewer and show how “junk”. components, useful it could one being a be. rubber band?

All Over the World (Global Literacy) - Cape Town and South Africa (Week 1 and 2)

International Playtime - Games and dances of South Africa

June – Week 1: Focus June 20th – June 24th SPARK: Frisbee Frenzy (Weeks 1 & 2)

MONDAY: The first Frisbees were manufactured on June 4, 1957. How old would the very first Frisbees be?

TUESDAY: Try out as many games as you can that you can play with a Frisbee. How about Frisbee baseball?

WEDNESDAY: Brainstorm with the group and come up with a list of other creative uses for a Frisbee other than as a toy.

THURSDAY: Throw a Frisbee as far as you can every other day for one week. Make a chart to measure your program. Were you able to increase your distance?

FRIDAY: Try to keep a Frisbee in the air (without touching it) as long as possible. Use a watch with a second hand to measure how long the Frisbee remains in flight.

JUNE – Week 2 Focus: June 27th – July 1st STEM (Science. Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Earth and Life Science Physical Science Technology/ Stem Fair Space Engineering Science - Identify some - Describe ways in - Demonstrate that -Identify tools and -Stem Fair events around which many plants the way to change simple machines us that have and animals the motion of an used for a specific repeating closely resemble object is to apply a purpose, e.g., patterns, their parents in force (give it a push ramp, wheel, including the observed or pull). The greaterpulley, lever. seasons of the appearance. the force, the Describe how year, day and greater the change human beings use night. in the motion of the parts of the body as object. tools (e.g., teeth for cutting, hands for grasping and catching), and compare their use with the ways in which animals use those parts of their bodies.

JUNE – Week 2 Focus: June 27th – July 1st THEME: “When Freedom Rings” Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Patriotic July Flag Flying Patriotic Patriotic Patriotic Celebrations Murals Presentations Poets July 4, 1776 – The July 4, 1789 – July 4, 1826 – John July 1, 1867 – July 4, 1884 – Continental Bastille Day is Adams and Canada Day is France Congress passed celebrated every Thomas Jefferson celebrated on this presented the the Declaration of July 14th in both died on the date when Canada State of Independence, France. What 50th anniversary of became a self- Liberty to the creating the United event led to this U.S. Independence. governing United States States. How old is holiday? How is it What was each dominion. as a 100th the U.S. today? like our July 4th man’s contribution Decorate the birthday Have a birthday celebrations? to the fight for room with red present. What party to celebrate. freedom. and white for does the Canada’s flag. Statue of Liberty represent?

JULY – Week 1 Focus: July 5th – July 8th

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Earth and Life Science Physical Technology/ Stem Space Science Science Engineering Fair

- Understand - Differentiate - Identify - Identify and -Stem that air is a between living and objects and explain some Fair mixture of nonliving things. materials as possible uses gases that is all Group both living solid, liquid or for natural around us and and nonliving gas. Recognize materials (e.g., that wind is things according that solids wood, cotton, moving air. to the have a definite fur wool) and characteristics shape and human-made that they share. liquids and materials (e.g., gases take the plastic, shape of their Styrofoam) container

SPARK- Great Games - The focus of these games is on helping youth leaders establish a “positive activity environment” amongst the group, promoting cooperative behavior and developing social skills. - Aerobic games are fast and fun. Youth enjoy the benefits of moderate to vigorous exercise while playing. SPARK calls this “Disguising the Fitness Element.

Week: July 5th – July 8th Spark Games condt..

Cooperative Games Aerobic Games The Good Ship SPARK 5 Touches Trains at the Station Cookie Monster Roadway I Want a Home Truck Driver Tag Grab the Apple Safe Tag Houdini Hoops Clean Your Room Bodyguards T-Rex Tag Twist-n-Turn Catch a Tail Bend-n-Stretch Doctor Tag Partner Ball Exchange/Toss Zoo Animals Week: July 5th – July 8th cont

THEME: “Beachy” Good Fun Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Go to a beach Create an Serve a Cut out a shape Have a beach or shoreline ocean mural. seafood snack. of a sandcastle party! Spread of any body of Hang a large (Check for from beach water, even a piece of blue allergies!) cardboard. blankets and stream or paper on the Serve tuna, Smear the towels on the river. See wall. Decorate salmon, or board with floor, have how many with sand, sardines on glue and shake picnic foods, interesting plants, brightly bread or sand over tall cool things you colored fish crackers. Take entire area. drinks, play cam collect and shells all a fieldtrip to a Add shells and beach music from the sea. made from local grocery other items for and beach paper. store to visit decorations. volleyball. the seafood Wear swim counter. suits/beach clothes.

All Over The World (Global Literacy) - Islamabad and Pakistan Internaonal Playme - Games and Dances of Pakistan Creave Cras for Clever Kids - Paper Producons (July Weeks 1 & 2) Performing Arts - Let’s Dance July – Week 2 Focus: July 11th – 15th STEM Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Earth and Life Science Physical Science Technology/ Stem Fair Space Science Engineering - Recognize - Recognize - Describe the -Identify and -Stem that the sun that plants and various ways describe the safe Fair supplies heat animals have that objects can and proper use of and light to the life cycles, and move, such as in tools and earth and is that life cycles a straight line, materials (e.g., necessary for vary for zigzag, back and glue, scissors, life. different living forth, round and tape, ruler, things. round, fast and paper, tooth- slow. picks, straws, spools) to construct simple structures.

Warm-UP and Skill Drills Activity Ready Position Keep Away Ball Handling Drills 3 Person Pass and Shoot Pivoting 3 Catch Game Free Dribbling 3 Catch Basketball Dribble Keep Away “SPARK” Chest Pass Hoop Targets Bounce Pass Around the Court Overhead Pass Speed Shooter Passing Challenges Triple Threat Basketball One-Handed Shot Shooting Practice Lay-Ups

SPARK- Super Sports (Basketball)WEEK: July 11th – 15th

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Mix up salt and Color salt with Make salt dough for Fill a glass with Pop two batches of pepper in a colored chalk modeling. Mix 2/3 c. water and ice popcorn. Sprinkle cup. Pour and layer the of salt, 1/2c. flour cubes. Wait a few salt on one batch, some water different colors and 1/3c. water. minutes. Place a leave the other into the cup. in empty baby After sculpting, air string on the ice batch unsalted. Can you guess food jars. dry or bake in 350 cubes. Sprinkle Conduct a taste which will degree oven until salt on the cubes. test to determine float to the hard. After a few which batch is top? (It’s the seconds pull the more popular. salt.) strings. What happens? THEME: Salt & Pepper

All Over The World (Global Literacy) - Pakistan Internaonal Playme - Games and Dances of Pakistan (connued) - Internaonal Party Time - To conclude journey to Pakistan

Performing Arts – Let’s Dance

July – Week 3 Focus: July 18th - 22nd

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathemacs)

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Earth and Space Life Science Physical Technology/ STEM Science Science Engineering Fair - Recognize that -Recognize -Sort objects -Identify and -STEM Fair water, rocks, that animals by observable describe soil, and living (including properties characteristi organisms are humans) and such as size, c of natural found on the plants are shape, color, material earth’s surface. living things weight and (e.g., wood, that grow, texture. cotton, fur, reproduce, wool) and and need human-made food, air and materials water. (e.g., plastic, Styrofoam)

SPARK- Super Sports (Baseball) Pickle Base Race 500 No Base Baseball Throw to Home Fungo Slip and Slide Bongoball Balloon Toss Wall Ball Getting Serious

Week 3: July 18th – 22nd condt.

THEME: In Outer Space

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday NASA was On July 15, John Glenn, Space Week is Cosmonaut created on 1965, the Jr.’s birthday observed July Svetkan July 29, 1968. “Mariner IV” is July 18th. He 20-26 to Savitskaya What does satellite was the first celebrate became the “NASA” stand transmitted American to when Neil first woman to for? How the first close- orbit the earth Armstrong walk in space many sites for up photos of in a space was the first on July 25, developing, Mars. If you ship. Draw a man to walk 1984. Practice launching and lived on Mars picture of what on the moon your own tracking space what would he saw from July 20. 1969. space walk. flights does you look like? space. What did he What would NASA have? Draw a say during your Martian self- that historic movements be portrait. occasion/ like?

ALL Over The World (Global Literacy) - Beijing, China

Internaonal Playme - Games and Dances of China

Creave Cras for Clever Kids - Kitchen Capers

JULY – Week 4 Focus: July 25th – July 29th STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering. Mathemacs)

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Earth and Life Science Physical Science Technology/ Stem Fair Space Engineering Science

-Identify -Recognize that -Demonstrate -Identify and -Stem some events fossils provide that the way to describe the safe Fair around us us with change the and proper use that have information motion of an of tools and repeating about living object is to apply materials (e.g., patterns, things that a force (give it a glue, scissors, including the inhabited the push or pull). The tape, ruler, seasons of earth years ago. greater the force, paper, tooth- the year, day the greater the picks, straws, and night. change in the spools) to motion of the construct simple object. structures.

The Children’s Musical Play Production Rockin’ Tale of Snow White Grand Finale: END OF JULY The tale of Snow White has never felt so fresh and new with this funny adaptation that will make even the most jaded among us laugh out loud! New characters and comedic twists come to life as a modern mom reads the Brothers Grimm tale to her restless children. In addition to the well-known cast of the kind princess, evil queen, multiple dwarves and the morally conflicted Huntsman, this musical introduces us to some fresh new faces such as rhyme-happy ladies-in- waiting and a stick-in-the-mud governmental representative out to ruin everyone’s good time.

Week: July 25th- July 29th continued

All Over the World (Global Literacy) - China (continued) International Playtime - Games and dances of China Creative Crafts for Kids - Kitchen Capers

SPARK- Dynamic Dance Music

Ages 5-7 Ages 8-14 J.U.M.P.- Includes Let’s Go to the All Time Favorite Dances- Includes Jungle, Fun, Fun, Fun, Kid’s Star, the Conga, Alley Cat, Virginia Reel, Safety Song, Caterpillars to Butterflies, Cotton Eyed Joe, Hora and more. Kuma San, The Elephant’s Rainbow, Basic Sq. Dances Vol. 1- Includes Spoons, Giraffe with Jingle Bells and Little Brown Jug, Shoo Fly, Red River more. Valley, and many more. All Time Favorite Dances- Includes Everybody Dance- Includes Gonna the Chicken, Bunny Hop, Hora, Cotton Make You Sweat/California Strut, Eyed Joe, Hokey Pokey and more. Electric Slide, Achy Breaky Heart and We All Live Together V.2- Includes many more. the Boogie Walk, Muffin Man, The Internat. Folk Dance- Includes Freeze and many more. Troika, Pata Pata and more. Folk Dance Fun- Includes the Chinese ribbon Dance- Includes the Mexican Hat Dance, Italian Tarantella, Chinese Ribbon Dance. German Clapping Dance and more. Red Hot Peppers- Hip Hop/ Salsa Streamer & Ribbon Act- Includes La jump rope activities. Burrita and eleven more fun activities. Chinese Ribbon Dance- Includes Chinese Ribbon Danceese Ribbon Dance.

WEEK 1 – Focus: August 1st – 5th STEM

(Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Earth and Life Science Physical Science Technology/ Stem Fair Space Science Engineering Explain how Give examples Identify and Compare natural Stem Fair air, of how classify objects systems with temperature, inherited and materials mechanical moisture, characteristics that conduct systems that are wind, speed, may change electricity and designed to serve direction, and over time as objects and similar purposes, precipitation adaptations to materials that e.g., a bird’s make up the changes in the are insulators of wings as weather in a environment electricity. compared to an particular that enable airplane’s wings. place and organisms to time. survive, e.g., Recognize that shape of beak the sun or feet, supplies heat placement of and light to the eyes on head, earth and is length of neck, necessary for shape of teeth, life. color.

All Over the World (Global Literacy) - Brazil 1. International Playtime - Games and dances of Brazil Creative Crafts for Kids - Clay Dough Creations - Children’s Musical Play cont’ Week: August 1st – August 5th (Condt) THEME: “Carnival Fun” Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Use Other booths can Another booth Set up food Find ways refrigerator include games like idea is to have booths for the kids boxes to create dropping clothes a jar filled with serving light to earn booths for pins in a bottle, pin jelly beans and snacks like their tickets various games the tail on the participants pretzels and all month like the bean donkey, and a hula have to guess nachos. for bag toss game. hoop contest or how many are Set up lawn spending at Fill an empty demonstration. in the jar. games like the soda can with Winner gets ring toss. carnival. pebbles or the jar of jelly Invite the sand and beans. parents too. knock it off a ledge with a tennis ball.

SPARK- Super Sports (Soccer) (Weeks 1 &2)

Warm-UP and Skill Activity Drills Cue Practice Target Soccer Walk and Dribble Kick for Distance Sideline Throw-In Get Your Ball Pass and Trap Shooting on Goal Challenges Small-Sided Soccer Soccer Marbles Games Dribble Keeps Away Soccer Baseball (All Run) Soccermania

Week 2 – Focus: August 8th – August 12th STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathemacs)

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday - Recognize -Differentiate -Give examples -Describe Children’s and discuss between observed of how energy different ways Festival the different characteristics of can be in which a properties of plants and transferred problem can be soil, including animals that are from one form represented, color, texture fully inherited. to another. e.g., sketches, (size of (e.g., color of -Recognize diagrams, particles), the flower, shape of that electricity graphic ability to leaves, color of in circuits organizers and retain water eyes, number of requires a lists. and the appendages) and complete loop -Identify ability to characteristics through which relevant design support the that are affected an electrical features (e.g., growth of by the climate or current can size, shape, plants. environment (e.g., pass, and that weight) for browning of electricity can building a leaves due to too produce light, prototype of a much sun, heat and solution to a language sound. given problem. spoken.).

All Over the World (Global Literacy) - CHILDREN’S China, South Africa, Pakistan and Brazil FRIDAY: FESTIVAL w/ emphasis on China, South Africa, Pakistan and Brazil Week: August 8th – August 12th (condt) THEME: “Vintage Games”

Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday “Vintage” Learn to play Have a hula hoop Use sidewalk In a ball games may be jacks. tournament. How chalk to draw a field or brand new to long can you keep hopscotch grassy many children. the hoop spinning game on the area, play Play with around your sidewalk. Red Rover marbles, waist? What else or Kick the introduce can you play with a Can. jump rope hula hoop? rhymes, and teach some yo- yo tricks.

Creative Crafts for Kids - Clay Dough Creations

All Over the World (Global Literacy) - Pakistan International Playtime - Games and dances of Pakistan continued International Party Time - To conclude journey to Pakistan Performing Arts - Let’s Dance

“When Freedom Rings” Focus- July 18th- July 29th Salt & Pepper

All Over the World (Global Literacy) - Beijing, China(Week 1 and 2)

International Playtime - Games and dances of China

Creative Crafts for Clever Kids - Kitchen Capers (Weeks 1 and 2) SPARK- Super Sports (Baseball)

Pickle Base Race 500 No Base Baseball Throw to Home Fungo Slip and Slide Bongoball Balloon Toss Wall Ball Getting Serious

SPARK- Dynamic Dance Music

Focus- July 18th- July 29th

In Outer Space Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday NASA was On July 15, John Glenn, Space Week is Cosmonaut created on 1965, the Jr.’s birthday observed July Svetkan July 29, 1968. “Mariner IV” is July 18th. He 20-26 to Savitskaya What does satellite was the first celebrate became the “NASA” stand transmitted American to when Neil first woman to for? How the first close- orbit the earth Armstrong walk in space many sites for up photos of in a space was the first on July 25, developing, Mars. If you ship. Draw a man to walk 1984. Practice launching and lived on Mars picture of what on the moon your own tracking space what would he saw from July 20. 1969. space walk. flights does you look like? space. What did he What would NASA have? Draw a say during your Martian self- that historic movements be portrait. occasion/ like?

STEM Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Earth and Life Science Physical Science Technology/ Stem Fair Space Science Engineering - Recognize - Recognize - Describe the -Identify and -Stem that the sun that plants and various ways describe the safe Fair supplies heat animals have that objects can and proper use of and light to the life cycles, and move, such as in tools and earth and is that life cycles a straight line, materials (e.g., necessary for vary for zigzag, back and glue, scissors, life. different living forth, round and tape, ruler, things. round, fast and paper, tooth- slow. picks, straws, spools) to construct simple structures. Vintage Games

STEM (5th-8th Grade)- ALL AUGUST NASA KLASS (Kennedy Launch Academy Simulation System) Program and Curriculum The KLASS Curriculum is a series of STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) lesson plans with supporting interactive resources that build to a simulated shuttle launch. The lessons are designed for use with elementary through middle school students. There are multiple formats that allow for easy customization.

STEM (3rd-5th Grade) STEM (Pre-K- 2nd Grade) Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Earth and Life Science Physical Science Technology/ Stem Fair Space Engineering Science