UCS Family Literacy Connection
Spring/Summer 2023
Welcome UCS Families,
Spring is a season that we look forward to every year, and we embrace the warmer weather and sunny skis that have appeared. We have been busy celebrating literacy throughout the district with engaging activities such as World Real Aloud Day, March is Reading Month, and Poetry Month.
As we enjoy these beautiful days and the school year draws to a close, we invite you to explore several opportunities to build upon and reinforce your child's literacy skills that have blossomed throughout the school year. There are many ways to participate in literacy activities at home and within your community, and we encourage you to visit your local library to explore the various possibilities. Please take a moment to read through the options below.
The final weeks of the 2022-23 school year are upon us. Take a few moments to pause and enjoy the memories made during this exciting time. Create new memories as a family; go for a walk, take a bike ride, cook, or garden together. As summer vacation begins, let's finish strong and focus on this year's tremendous growth and success.
UCS Literacy Coaches
Book Recommendations
Books, Books, Books!
Nothing Special by Desiree Cooper
Six-year-old Jax cannot wait to leave Detroit and spend a week with his grandparents in coastal Virginia. But as he dreams of the adventures he will have, his PopPop has other ideas. For the first time, Jax goes crabbing, shucks corn, and counts fireflies, continuing the beloved traditions that his PopPop enjoyed as a boy. . Nothing Special celebrates the enduring connection between the generations who stayed in the South, and the millions of emigrants for whom it will always be home.
Restart by Gordon Korman
Chase's memory just went out the window. Chase doesn't remember falling off the roof. He does not remember hitting his head. He doesn't, in fact, remember anything. He wakes up in a hospital room and suddenly must learn his whole life all over again . . . starting with his own name.
The Magical Yet by Angela DiTerlizzi
Each of us, from the day we're born, is accompanied by a special companion—the Yet. Cannot tie your shoes? Yet! Cannot ride a bike? Yet! Cannot play the bassoon? Don't worry Yet is there to help you out. The Magical Yet is the perfect tool for parents and educators to turn a negative into a positive when helping children cope with the inevitable difficult learning moments, we all face. Whether a child or an adult, this encouraging and uplifting book reminds us that we all have things we have not learned...yet!
Enough is... by Jessica Whipple
For kids encountering the pressure to fit in with peers, this picture-book story explores a concept that is key to happiness: how much is enough? How much of anything? The pictures follow one child as she learns the difference between wanting and needing and, in the end, feels the contentment that flows from being satisfied with what she has. The text, meanwhile, frames a difficult idea in simple, spare language: “Somewhere between a little and a lot, there is Enough. It might be hard to spot, but it’s always there.”
The Book of Turtles by Sy Montgomery & Matt Patterson
A fabulous nonfiction title from National Book Award finalist and New York Times bestseller Sy Montgomery comes an ode to one of the most diverse, fascinating, and beloved species on the planet: turtles. With dazzling illustrations and emotionally engaging, fact-filled text, this picture book will speak to the wisdom these long-lived animals can lend.
Sora's Seashells by Helena Ku Rhee
A lyrical narration and luminous illustrations tell an uplifting intergenerational story of kindness and confidence, loss and remembrance, with resonance for any child who feels other-than.
Encouraging Conversations
to Build Oral Language Development
Oral Language Develops Literacy Skills
- Oral language develops vocabulary concepts.
- Through oral language children learn the structure of language and that it communicates meaning.
- Oral language teaches children cultural nuances, giving them specific background knowledge that aids in reading comprehension.
- It builds a desire to use language for a variety of purposes, such as reading, writing, and listening.
- There is a direct correlation between oral language and literacy development.
Developing Writing at Home
Writing is a terrific way for children to express their thoughts, creativity, and uniqueness. It is also a fundamental way in which children learn to organize ideas. They are observing the way writing is used in our everyday lives.
Here are some suggestions that engage your child in the writing process:
• Have your child write instructions for taking care of the family pet. These will be useful as you plan summer vacations!
• Write a letter or thank you note to a relative. Talk through what your child wants to say before writing begins.
• Make a shopping list before going to the grocery store.
• Write an online review of a book or an item you recently purchased (www.amazon.com) or a recipe you tried (www.allrecipes.com).
• Start keeping a personal diary, a household guestbook, or a baby book for a younger sibling.
Does spelling count?
Early attempts at spelling are not the random swings they sometimes appear. Children’s “invented spelling” gives us a window into what they understand about written language. A good teacher will be able to tell the difference between the misspellings that indicate normal literacy development and those that suggest a possible learning disability.
Writing tip: Stay positive! Kids who are worried about spelling every word correctly may often stick to only a small group of words they can spell, or may avoid writing altogether.
Family Fun - Benefits of Family Cooking Feature
There are many benefits to enjoy cooking with loved ones including developing family bonds, building on reading and math skills, and teaches life lessons. Cooking together is an easy way to spend quality time with your children all the while teaching them responsibility as they see real-world application of reading and math skills. While preparing the recipe, engage your child with reading the directions as well as bringing their attention to the mathematical measurements required for the ingredients.
Yummy Treat to Eat!
Banana Magic
1 large box banana cream instant pudding
1 angel food cake
1 8 oz Cool Whip
2 bananas sliced
1 chocolate bar
Break up cake and line the bottom of the pan. Pour mixed pudding over it. Put sliced bananas on top. Cover with Cool Whip. Shave chocolate on top. Chill in the fridge for an hour. Enjoy!
Read, Write, Roar
Kindergarten through 3rd grade learners build literacy skills with engaging ELA lessons. Your child will have fun with these lessons that start with learning letters and sounds then build to vocabulary, comprehension and writing!
Michigan Learning Channel - Learning & Fun All Summer Long!
The Michigan Learning Channel’s 8-week summer program has everything kids need to continue building their brains and learning key concepts that will help them succeed in school. From preschool to 6th Grade, each grade has 2-3 hours of video lessons per week, plus a fun and interactive activity book. Local events and special broadcasts around our 8 weekly themes help pique kids’ interest. All programs are available on broadcast television and on-demand online.
For detailed programming information, see the Summer Schedule.
Summer Reading & Literacy Programs
Clinton-Macomb Public Library
The Clinton-Macomb Public Library offers many fun and engaging programs for students of all ages! Check out their calendar of events and their summer reading activities!
Sterling Heights Public Library
Sterling Heights Public Library offers a wide range of services and events throughout the summer! Be sure to view their calendar to sign up for literacy events including Paws for Reading, Book Clubs, Maker Space and more!
PBS Summer of Adventure offers FREE activities and kids shows all summer long. Be sure to check out Cyberchase for STEM related shows and activities!
Teaching students self-calming strategies empowers them to recognize and manage their emotions. One of the most powerful self-calming practices is mindfulness. Being mindful is a psychological practice that focuses your thoughts on the present. It encourages you to pay attention to your environment, feelings, emotions and senses. In kids, mindfulness can help them become more self-aware and start to assess how their emotions affect their behavior. Mindfulness is not about “clearing” your mind like some might associate with relaxation techniques. It is more about focusing your mind on your present environment.