The RSD17 Summer Learning program is an exciting opportunity for your child to combine fun and educational growth during the summer. This initiative is specifically designed to combat summer learning loss—the tendency for students to forget what they’ve learned over the school year. With a variety of engaging activities in reading, math, and other subjects, the program helps students retain and expand their knowledge. Tailored for every grade level, Summer Learning strikes the perfect balance between structure and flexibility, making it easy for parents to keep their kids on track. Let’s dive into this enriching summer experience and watch your child thrive!
Understanding Summer Learning Loss
What is Summer Learning Loss?
Summer learning loss, often called the “summer slide,” refers to the decline in knowledge and skills that students experience when they don’t engage in regular academic activities during the summer months. This gap can hinder their progress when they return to school in the fall.
The Impact of Summer Learning Loss
The effects of summer learning loss can be profound. Research indicates that students may lose up to two months’ worth of reading and math skills during the summer, and this loss can accumulate year after year, widening the achievement gap.
Key Statistics
Studies show that by middle school, summer learning loss can account for up to two-thirds of the reading achievement gap between low-income and middle-income students. This underscores the critical need for continuous learning throughout the summer.
Overview of the Summer Learning Program
Program Goals
The Summer Learning Program aims to keep students engaged in learning throughout the summer. By offering diverse resources and activities, it makes education fun and accessible, ensuring students return to school ready to succeed.
Grade Levels Covered
The program is designed for students in grades Pre-K through 9, with tailored resources and activities for each grade to support their developmental needs.
Easy Access to Resources
All materials can be found on the Summer Learning Website. Parents can simply select the grade level their child will enter in the fall to access the relevant resources. The user-friendly design makes navigation straightforward for both parents and students.
Reading Resources
Engaging Reading Activities
The Reading Learning Pages are filled with resources aimed at helping students maintain and enhance their reading skills over the summer. Clear instructions guide students through various engaging activities to cultivate a love for reading.
Weekly Themes and Adventures
To make reading exciting, the program includes themed weekly activities and book recommendations, sparking students’ imagination and curiosity.
Reading Logs for Grades 4-8
Students in grades 4-8 can use a Summer Reading Log and Notes Pages to track their reading progress and jot down thoughts as they read.
Helpful Book Summaries and Lists
The program provides book summaries, trailers, and reviews to assist students in selecting titles that interest them. Links to diverse book lists cater to different preferences, including fiction, non-fiction, and graphic novels.
Math Resources
Comprehensive Math Support
The Math Learning Pages offer various resources to help students keep their math skills sharp. Each student receives a Summer Math Letter outlining their summer activities and expectations.
Tailored Math Packets
Grade-specific math packets include exercises reinforcing key concepts learned during the school year.
Access to iReady
Students can access iReady for personalized math instruction, utilizing the same program they used during the school year.
CT Commissioner’s Summer Math Challenge
This challenge offers fun ways for students to practice math, helping them maintain their skills over the summer.
CSDE Summer Learning Hub
Overview of the Hub
The CSDE Summer Learning Hub features a range of challenges designed to keep students engaged. These challenges cover multiple subjects, ensuring there’s something for every learner.
Diverse Learning Activities
From reading and math to social studies and science, the Hub offers various educational and enjoyable challenges. Students can choose between online (plugged) and hands-on (unplugged) activities.
Community and Career Focus
The challenges encourage students to reflect on their community and career interests, promoting a deeper understanding of their roles and identities.
Heggerty Summer Support
Importance of Phonemic Awareness
Heggerty Phonemic Awareness helps young children develop crucial skills for reading success. Strong phonemic awareness improves decoding skills, leading to better reading fluency and comprehension.
Free Resources
Parents can access free lesson plans and instructional videos from Heggerty to support their child’s phonemic awareness development.
Incorporating Lessons into Daily Life
Heggerty lessons are brief and engaging, making it easy to fit them into daily routines, whether during car rides or while cooking.
Encouraging Alternative Learning Experiences
Project-Based Learning
The program promotes project-based learning, allowing students to explore topics of interest and develop critical thinking skills.
Personalized Adaptive Programs
Students have access to personalized computer adaptive programs, ensuring a customized learning experience that matches their skill level.
Creative and Critical Thinking
Summer provides ample opportunities for students to engage in creative and critical thinking activities, from building models to writing stories.
The Role of Parents and Guardians
Supporting Summer Learning
Parents play a vital role in their child’s summer learning journey. By creating a structured learning environment and encouraging regular practice, parents can help their children retain and build on the skills learned during the school year.
Structuring the Learning Environment
Creating a structured but flexible environment at home helps maintain a focus on educational activities without replicating the school day.
Tips for Keeping Kids Engaged
Engaging children in summer learning can be challenging. Strategies such as using rewards, incorporating learning into everyday tasks, and making activities fun can keep them motivated.
Conclusion
The Summer Learning Program offers a fantastic chance for students to remain academically active during the summer, preventing learning loss and ensuring they build upon their school year achievements. With the program’s extensive resources, students will return to school prepared for new challenges. By fostering a supportive and structured environment at home, parents can play a crucial role in their child’s educational journey, making this summer both enriching and enjoyable.