SUMMERTIME IDEAS

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Issue No.
Seventeen
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Summer 2015

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Dear Parents and Guardians,

Mathematics

Summer Slide is a condition that refers to the regression

in skills that occurs in many children over the summer.
Below are ideas that may help keep your child
refreshed during vacation. Have a great summer and
happy learning!

Students should develop immediate recall of arithmetic facts to free the

the working memory for solving more complex problems.
~National Mathematics Advisory Panel

Reading

*Improve your childs fluency of the basic math facts.

*Give a five-minute multiplication test occasionally.
*Have your child play multiplication games.
*Download some printable worksheets for rainy days.

It is worth emphasizing that the most important single activity to

promote reading is reading.
~Mike Schmoker, educational researcher

Science

No subject of study is more important than reading...all other

intellectual powers depend on it.
~Jacques Barzun, historian & philosopher of education

*Barnes & Nobles Summer Reading Kit

*Scholastics Summer Reading Challenge
*Dow Librarys Summer Reading Programs
*Audiobooks are available at Dow Library and online.
*Read aloud to your child. Kids at this age LOVE it!
*Is your child thinking about joining the Battle of the
Books in 4th grade? How about challenging your child
to read some of the Battle Books from this past year?
*Looking for some paper/pencil reading practice?
Print off some of these reading comprehension sheets.

Writing

Exercise the writing muscle every day, even if it is only a letter, notes, a
title list, a character sketch, a journal entry. Writers are like dancers,
like athletes. Without that exercise, the muscles seize up.
~Jane Yolen, author of childrens books

*Encourage your child to keep a journal over the

summer either in a notebook or on a computer.
*Some children may be interested in this summer
camp at Delta College: The Art of Journaling
*Have your child periodically write in cursive to
maintain that new skill.

STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics) jobs

comprise 20% of all US jobs.
~STEM Education Coalition

Check out some of these exciting summer camps:

*Chippewa Nature Center
*Delta College
*Midland Center for the Arts
*SVSU
*CMU

Social Studies

There is a gentleness in Michigan that you just cant replicate.

~Jennifer Granholm, 47th governor of Michigan

Some of these topics piqued the students interests:

*Native Americans: Ziibiwing Center in Mt. Pleasant
*Porcupine Mountains
*Fort Michilimackinac in Mackinaw City
*Fort Mackinac on Mackinac Island
*Mackinac Bridge

Workbook Recommendation
Visit Midlands School Days store for lots of learning
activities, such as puzzles and games. While youre
there, you may want to purchase this handy workbook:
The Original Summer Bridge Activities for Grades 3-4.

The human mind is our fundamental resource.

~John F. Kennedy, 35th President of the U.S.