School’s Out for Summer 2.0: Week 7

 Summer vacation is quickly coming to an end, which means the routine of the school year will soon begin again. Almost time to prepare shift to bed times, before and after school care arrangement, homework time, school supply shopping, maybe even new schools, uniforms, etc. The list goes on and on, don’t be caught off guard and unprepared for the shift. Start today, if you haven’t already preparing and participating in activities and events offered by your child’s school.

Still gathering feedback from teachers and wanted to share some tips this week from elementary teacher Cami Fazio. Here’s what she said: Read with your kids daily, if not have them read on their own. I encourage parents to buy/look up fun and engaging math or reading computer games. Also, fluency flashcards for math are an affordable and useful way to study.

These tips can help add to your arsenal of useful tips to combat summer learning loss. Even though summer is winding down, I encourage you to continue your summer learning activities. Implement these tips with ease and help your children prepare to get back into the swing of things for the new school year.

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Dr. Shameika Moment, Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

I am an educator and leader with a variety of experiences in elementary, secondary, and higher education. Community college retention specialist, adjunct faculty, K-8 teacher, parent consultant, tutor, business owner, and author describe positions I hold and aspirations I’m pursuing. I have a passion for helping parents connect with, learn from, and support their children’s academic success and learning. This blog is one of many ventures to provide support for parents as they navigate the course of raising children as a daily responsibility.

School’s Out for Summer 2.0: Week 3

 School’s out and things are heating up everywhere regarding the weather, etc. The conversation continues with expert teacher advice to keep your children engaged this summer! The guiding question is: What would you like parents to know and do with their children over the summer to reduce summer learning loss, actively engage their children, and foster healthy relationships? What are some things you do as a parent and a teacher that you think other parents should know and do?

Creative and enthusiastic teacher Ms. Melanie Chapman shares her tips! Here’s what she said: Read a lot! A lot of students don’t understand the importance and power of reading and how it fosters into multiple areas of learning. Libraries have summer reading programs that challenge children and parents to get involved in reading together. Math games and board games are always a fun way to maintain math learning. Younger kids will just think they are having fun with family all while building math skills and strategies. As a teacher, I always look for hands on and engaging activities for my students. Parents there are internet based fun and free options available. It’s helpful to know what type of learner your child is to gear the activities towards what works best for them. Some children like to move, others like to listen it really just depends on learning styles. Math facts practice and disconnect with some non-electronics time.

Remember that you reproduce who you are not just what you say. The example you live before your children is pretty much what they become. Take some time to examine your life and the things you say. Is your life aligned with your words? Do you like what you see in your own life and that of your children? If you you answered no to either question, please know that it’s not too late to make the necessary changes. You can do this and know that you are not alone. It’s not about perfection, but rather being the best you that you can be through daily progress.

I’m finalizing the learning style assessment I developed. In the meantime, here’s some links that can help determine your child’s learning style:  http://www.educationplanner.org/students/self-assessments/learning-styles.shtml
http://www.edutopia.org/multiple-intelligences-learning-styles-quiz
http://www.howtolearn.com/learning-styles-quiz/ (you have to give them your e-mail)

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Dr. Shameika Moment, Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

I am an educator and leader with a variety of experiences in elementary, secondary, and higher education. Community college retention specialist, adjunct faculty, K-8 teacher, parent consultant, tutor, business owner, and author describe positions I hold and aspirations I’m pursuing. I have a passion for helping parents connect with, learn from, and support their children’s academic success and learning. This blog is one of many ventures to provide support for parents as they navigate the course of raising children as a daily responsibility.

School’s out for Summer 2.0: Week 2

 Don’t let summer break get you down! As a continuation of the conversation from last week, here’s more expert teacher advice about how to continuing to engage your children while school’s out. The guiding question is: What would you like parents to know and do with their children over the summer to reduce summer learning loss, actively engage their children, and foster healthy relationships? What are some things you do as a parent and a teacher that you think other parents should know and do?

Motivating and innovative teacher Mrs. Sharon Sheffield is sharing her tips. Here’s what she said: Reading with your child is so important, it doesn’t have to be books though. Have them help you out in the kitchen by reading a recipe or when playing a game have them read the directions. I think the best thing a parent can do is talk to their child. Ask them questions about what they think and why they think it. Ask them to help you calculate the cost of apples after you weigh them in the store. If they ask you a question, even if you know the answer, ask them to come up with a few ways to find answer on their own. Encourage your child to be a problem solver! If they come to you with an issue ask them to come up with some solutions and then talk through them to determine the best route to take. These suggestions cost nothing, build relationships, and build confidence in the child which will benefit them in the classroom.

Keep the lines of communication open and the dialogue going with your children. Questions are always great conversation starters. Those questions that are open-ended the require thought and explanation in your responses. Questioning is a great way to teach, learn, grow, and develop. Give it a try and share what discoveries you make in the process.

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Dr. Shameika Moment, Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

I am an educator and leader with a variety of experiences in elementary, secondary, and higher education. Community college retention specialist, adjunct faculty, K-8 teacher, parent consultant, tutor, business owner, and author describe positions I hold and aspirations I’m pursuing. I have a passion for helping parents connect with, learn from, and support their children’s academic success and learning. This blog is one of many ventures to provide support for parents as they navigate the course of raising children as a daily responsibility.

School’s Out for Summer 2.0: Week 1

  School’s out for summer, which is every child’s joy! Are you ready to let the good times roll? While the children are excited sometimes parents are frantically trying to figure out what to do, how to coordinate activities, where to go, etc. Another concern for educators and parents alike is the loss of learning that occurs during summer vacation. So this week I reached out to one of my teacher colleagues and a parent for a few simple solutions to support learning and knowledge retention during the summer.

Veteran teacher and outstanding educator Mrs. Jasmine Muniz provided some practical advice for overcoming academic challenges this summer. Those which will also help bring you and your children closer together. I asked her the following questions: What would you like parents to know and do with their children over the summer to reduce summer learning loss, actively engage their children, and foster healthy relationships? What are some things you do as a parent and a teacher that you think other parents should know and do?

Here’s what she said: Play board games, read to and with children, trips to the library, math and vocabulary flash cards, online learning websites. http://www.starfall.com, learnzillion.com, mathisfun.com. Watch movies together and discuss plot and characterization, talk, talk, and then more talking. Conversations are key to healthy academic and emotional growth. Play games in the car when you’re on your next road trip. Phonics games, mental math, and even I Spy!

These are some great tips that are pretty simple to implement! I encourage you to incorporate them today, if you aren’t already. In the upcoming weeks I continue to get feedback from my fellow educators and share their tips here with you.

Feel free to share tips with things you’re doing with your children to combat summer learning loss and continuing academic engagement.

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Dr. Shameika Moment, Doctor of Education in Educational Leadership

I am an educator and leader with a variety of experiences in elementary, secondary, and higher education. Community college retention specialist, adjunct faculty, K-8 teacher, parent consultant, tutor, business owner, and author describe positions I hold and aspirations I’m pursuing. I have a passion for helping parents connect with, learn from, and support their children’s academic success and learning. This blog is one of many ventures to provide support for parents as they navigate the course of raising children as a daily responsibility.

School’s Out for Summer: 6th Edition

July 4th festivities are underway this week! This means time for family, friends, food, fun, and fellowship. Which leads me to this weeks topic about influencers. Who are those other adults that are influencers in your children’s lives? Family? Friends?When you think about the other adults and peers that are around your children what level of influence do they have? Is there influence positive or negative?

Depending on the age of your child you are your child’s biggest influence. As they age and participate in more activities in school and outside the home they are exposed to things that are different then what you teach at home. While you cannot control everything that they do outside the home, you can know what they do outside the home by being informed about who is involved and facilitating activities they are participating in and asking questions. Asking questions and being informed shows you care.

Peer pressure is a challenge that many children face, which can sway children in a positive or negative direction. You have to trust that you have instilled in them the necessary foundation for making right decisions concerning morals and values, knowing the difference between right and wrong. Know who your children’s friends are. Knowing the parents of your children’s friends is important as well. Many times we want to fault the children for their bad behavior, but we must trace that back to the parents and look at their influence. Extend grace and be the positive example and influence necessary in the lives of your children and their peers. Now let’s be clear that common sense is not that common as one would have you believe, nor does parenting come with a handbook. Common sense has to be taught, just as much as critical thinking or parenting in some aspects. Questioning is always a great way to gain information and understand the thought process for critical thinking and common sense direction.

Think about the adults and your child’s peers, what influence can you exert to ensure your children are handled with care? What actions can you take to ensure appropriate handling and care is extended to your children by other adults? Be informed and alert with the people you have around your children. Think about their lives and what they have reproduced, what message are they sending? Many times children are inquisitive and want to know more about new things. Be sure to ask them questions and take advantage of the opportunities for clarification in the midst of the conversation. Listening is the key!

Here’s a link for the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge where there’s tools and resources for you and your child for reading! http://www.scholastic.com/ups/campaigns/src-2014

School’s Out for Summer: 3rd Edition

So, you’re into summer break now. Any questions? If you don’t have any for me, I have a few for you. How have your routines changed? What are your days filled with? While the kids are on summer vacation, unfortunately parents do not have the same luxury. So, while you’re spending your days at the office or out in the field, what are your children doing? Who is caring from them in your absence?

Choosing a caregiver or program for your child can be challenging in the days in which we live. Quality summer care can help ease your mind as you go about your day and can offer priceless benefits for your child’s growth and development. I want to offer a few tips to help you face the challenges that come with this activity. Take the time to identify your needs, those of your child, and be prepared to spend time, put in work, and exercise patience through the process. Consider your child’s hobbies, interests, aspirations, dreams, and abilities when choosing summer care. Involve them in the conversation as much as possible so they can be aware of options and share their feelings about what you’ve decided for summer care.

Obviously finances have to be allotted for summer care, I encourage you to plan ahead as much as possible. Put summer care in your budget, just like some of us have a college fund. The obvious choice is a summer care program that provides education and fun. Physical activity is a must considering that while in school students spend a bulk of the time in a static environment, movement is necessary.  Be sure to talk to the camp director and ask questions about certifications, licensing, staff, and activities. Tour the facility and inspect the space and equipment. I also encourage observing and making a pop-up visit when possible to observe interactions and standards of care. Another key element to ask about is discipline. Opportunities for social interaction are essential for healthy growth, social skills development, and conflict resolution. 

What are the ages of the summer care program? Student to teacher ratios? Staff education requirements? How are the students grouped? What does the cost include? Is transportation provided? How are students transported to off-site activities or field trips? Medicine distribution policies? Health certifications (CPR, First Aid)? Most places have a handbook that includes policies and procedures, but many times we neglect to read the bulky book or the fine print. Come prepared with your questions and be very observant. Ask other parents and find out what your friends are doing with their children for the summer. Finding someone you know and trust with your child’s care is number one priority for your safety and piece of mind. 

It’s not too late to do any of these things, even if your child is already in a summer care program. You can review more information in A Parent’s Guide to Choosing Safe and Healthy Child Care by visiting the following website. http://aspe.hhs.gov/hsp/ccquality-ind02/guide.htm

For games to get you and your children moving, having fun, and working together visit the following website. http://www.playworks.org/playbook/games

I look forward to your feedback and comments, please share with me your experience using any of the resources suggested. Thanks for reading!