Summer Learning Guide
Fort Thomas Independent Schools
Keep the Learning Going!
Need some ideas for keeping your kids learning and active all summer? We've got you covered here with both device-based and unplugged activities !
Technology Reminders
During long breaks it's easy to forget that our school devices are for learning, and the likelihood of them getting lost or broken is a little greater.
To keep your students learning focused, you might encourage them to use their school issued device to stay engaged with skill practice and reinforcement. This guide is full of suggestions for what you can do at home.
When not in use, remember to keep those devices in a safe location, out of the way of liquids, and in a place where they won't be lost or stolen. Consider leaving the device at home; the car is an exceptionally hot place for devices to be forgotten in the summer.
Technology Trouble?
If you are having a hard time with the device itself (cracked screen, water damage etc) you may send a message to ftis.helpdesk@fortthomas.kyschools.us.
If you have a log in issue or need help with simple troubleshooting that wouldn't be a repair, you can fill out this form here. Someone will respond to your inquiry as soon as possible.
In this guide you'll find:
- Information about Moby Max - a great alternative to a summer workbook
- Khan Academy and Khan Kids
- Reading
- Math
- Coding
- Creating
- Unplugged Activities
Need to see even more ideas?
Don't forget our NTI Parent Pages are full of them! In particular you might want to check out:
And don't miss the Portrait of a Graduate Choice Boards
K-8 Practice and Reinforce Skills
Moby Max for Skill Practice
For the Math, Language Arts and Foundational Reading areas the platform begins with a placement assessment and then the program automatically adjusts in difficulty based on student responses.
This is a wonderful alternative to summer workbooks. While Science and Social Studies would be fun for students to practice, if you're short on time, I might suggest students focus on the Math, Reading and Language topics. You might consider creating a schedule of subjects students practice each week. Moby Max recommends students engage daily in 15-20 minutes of practice per subject to achieve maximum results , but their research shows that students who practice at least once a week still achieve positive results.
Parents, you can use your student's log in information to login to Moby Max from your computer.
- Log in as Parent Here
- Enter your student's school username and password - you will need to request this.
You can obtain that information from Bill Bradford, Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning.
The video below shows how students will access Moby Max from Classlink.
Logging into Moby Max through Classlink
K-2 students use:
- username: student
- password: student
3-5 students use
- username: ipaduser
- password: ipaduser
Dashboard
Check Focus Time
Look for tools
Khan Academy
Students in grades K-8 would want to check out the Math. The Math practice on the iPad is a little strange in that it presents duplicate numbers side by side in two formats on the practice modules, but it does include a handy whiteboarding tool that students can use to help figure answers. Students in grades 2-9 might also want to take a look at the ELA beta area.
There is also a Khan Kids app, for grades K-1. For this one parents or teachers can set up an account that will help them keep track of student practice. Check out the directions here for creating an account.
The video below will give you more information.
Reading
Summer Reading Tools
Keep your kids reading all summer with great apps and programs! The Campbell County Public Library starts their Summer Reading Program "Imagine Your Story" starts starts June 6. Get the details here.
Once you have built your custom list, use this directory to find a public library near you. Go to the library, find the books you want to read and start reading.
Sora
Check out their How To Video here
This app is good for for K-8
Located in the app portal for K-5.
Epic! K-5
Located in the app portal.
Rivet K-5
Located in the app portal.
Middle School Reading: Tips from Mrs. Griffith
Mrs. Griffith shared some great tips for our HMS students:
The physical libraries in the area have closed, but you all do have an option for reading. Highlands Middle School has a subscription to Overdrive which is a service that provides e-books. I am going to share with you how you can access these books.
Go to the HMS Library Media Center group in Schoology.
On the left-hand side click on the word Resources.
Then click on the folder titled E-Books.
There are several resources there.
I would first check out the document for Library E-book check out. You will need to DOWNLOAD from the BLUEBIRD KIOSK Adobe Digital Editions. Once you have downloaded it, it will go to your Applications.
Watch the video in the folder. It will explain how the e-book check out works.
There is a folder that explains the formula for your username and password. For those of you who had to change your password earlier this year, I will probably need to go in and reset your
password for you. Message me if your username and password doesn't work.
Additionally, Junior Library Guild has made their ebooks available to ALL libraries with unlimited access. I have attached the link below.
Here are the username and password:
Username: JLGMID
Password: JLGFREE
Check back frequently because they have said they will add new resources...
Junior Library Guild Free Books
https://jlg.ipublishcentral.com/
Keep reading Bluebirds!
Math
Be a Learning Hero
Click here for more information.
YouCubed
Quantile Summer Math Challenge
Learn Something New
Get Kids Coding with Code.org
In particular, you would want to check out the "Express Courses" for ages 9-18 and for Pre-Readers, ages 4-8. These courses can easily be completed on the iPad, just navigate to Code.org from Safari.
You also might encourage students to periodically try just an Hour of Code with engaging activities that include Dance Party and Minecraft challenges.
Scratch Tutorials
Most of these block based programs can easily be followed on the iPad.
Want more information about how Scratch works? Check out their page for parents here.
Get Kids Creating on their Device
Book Creator K-2 Summer Scrapbook
Located in the app portal for students in K-2.
Keynote 3rd grade and up Summer Scrapbook
Located in the app portal or kiosk for all students.
iMovie Day in the Life
Located in the app portal or kiosk for all students.
Get Unplugged
Want some learning to be "Unplugged" this Summer
The adult in the family would want to watch the how to videos or download instructions for some of these activities first, but much of the learning can take place outside and without a device.
In this guide you'll see ideas for: reading practice in the context of other activities, plenty of science, engineering and math, ideas for how to learn in the kitchen, and some craft ideas that build in multiple skills. Do these as a family or encourage your older students in the house to lead the younger students through the learning.
Check out that link below.