Research shows that when students read over the summer, they come back to school better prepared for the challenges of a new school year. In fact, reading just five books during summer break can altogether prevent the “summer slide,” - a regression of reading ability that can occur over the summer months. The US Department of Education offers the following tips to help students maintain healthy reading lives over the summer:
Alderman Elementary
Anderson Elementary Blair Elementary Pine Valley Elementary Trask Middle
Students at participating sites received a personal invitation that included the dates and times of when their school’s library will be open. However, ANY NHCS student is allowed to participate in any program and checkout/return materials at any of the other participating locations. NO registration is required. Simply check out the calendar to find out what sites are open and make plans to attend! In addition to checking out reading materials, each location will host a variety of programs that include:
Please visit the NHCS Summer Reading Program website for a complete schedule and calendar of events. We look forward to seeing you there! *This post was featured on the blog of NHCS Superintendent Dr, Tim Markley* This summer library program is also referenced in my very first podcast! Parts of this podcast were recorded at the elementary Battle of the Books competition, where many students indicated that they began working towards that day in May back in the summer before the school year began. Reading in the summer matters!
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As this school year comes to a close, last district group meetings are held, and summer professional development plans grow, I find myself reflecting on my own learning. I do that often.
Today was our last Digital Teaching & Learning Contacts meeting. On the agenda for this group of elementary digital learning leaders were a multitude of resources that could be used to continue learning in those "lame duck" days of school. (Cult of Pedagogy) I spontaneously spoke about those last days of my very first year of teaching. I spent that year teaching right outside of Baltimore, Maryland in a small, but diverse, community. It had a history dating back to the revolutionary war with direct ties to Lafayette, thoroughbred horse farms and the well-to-do families "up the hill", two subsidized housing complexes, as well as two fully operational (end extremely eco-unfriendly) chemical plants - one actually sat pretty much in the school's front yard. I remember that 85% of the students had asthma inhalers in the nurse's medical cabinet. I had a team-taught class, students whose families were struggling with homelessness, doctor's and teacher's children, and a student who took a dislike to me because, as he said, I looked Jewish. I saw a lot that first year that my teacher prep program did not prepare me for. But I am thankful for it all. And at the end of that first year, I remember asking my students to tell me how I had changed as an educator. The first response was, "You don't say 'y'all' as much now." It was a funny moment...and it was true! But then I asked them to teach ME something. Honestly, this group of students had already taught me so much, but I threw the question out anyway. One student said, "Let's teach her how to Double Dutch!" And they did! And I did! They cheered me on and encouraged me, and believe me - we laughed together at my slow progress. But, one important thing I realized in that first year is that - as teachers - we should never stop learning. As educators, we should never stop learning FROM our students - they teach us far more than we can ever imagine! |
AuthorJeannie Timken Archives
March 2023
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