Parent Perusals
May 23, 2018
Contact 210-748-5860 if you have questions!
EUREKA!
The EUREKA! Program supports girls in 8th grade through high school graduation, preparing them for the next step in their education after high school.
For more information on how to apply, download the flyer below!
San Antonio Summer On a Budget 2018: Free and Cheap Activities for the Whole Family
Can you smell the sunscreen and bug spray? Are you stocking up on popsicles and pool snacks? A San Antonio summer is quickly approaching, and Alamo City Moms Blog is happy to provide you with a list of free and almost free summer activities. Get out and explore our great city!
Check it out by clicking on the picture above or clicking here.
How Alcohol Affects the Brain: A Guide for Parents
There are all types of downloadable materials and information on how to have meaningful discussions (not arguments) with your tween/teen about alcohol.
Check it out Here.
Summer Literacy Challenge
Click Here to discover 10 things you can do to focus on literacy this summer!
Five Easy Tips for Summer Learning
Research about how much children lose ground over the summer is well documented. Harris Cooper of Duke University notes, "Overall, children experience an average summer learning loss across reading and mathematics of about one month" (1996).
The thing is, though, kids don't have to lose over the summer. In fact, you can encourage your child to have a summer of fun and learning with these five free and easy things to do. Try them out!
1. Read Every Day
At the middle school level, reading four to five books over the summer has a positive impact on fall reading achievement comparable to attending summer school (Kim, 2004).
Suggestions
Take your kids to the library often and let them choose which books to check out. Listen to books on tape. Subscribe them to a magazine. Take turns reading to each other. Allow your kids to stay up a half hour later at night as long as they're reading.
2. Use Math Every Day
The largest summer learning losses for all children occur in mathematical computation, an average of 2.6 months (Cooper, 1996).
Suggestions
Practice the multiplication tables by making each point in a basketball game worth 7 points (or 8 or 9). Ask your kids to make change at the drive-thru. Show your child how to go to Cool Math to play math games. Make up math word problems in the car and at the dinner table.
3. Get Outside and Play
Intense physical activity programs have positive effects on academic achievement, including increased concentration; improved mathematics, reading, and writing test scores; and reduced disruptive behavior (Journal of School Health 1997).
Suggestions
Find ways to ensure your child is active for 60 minutes each day. Have him or her walk the neighbor's dog, go swimming, play badminton or soccer, take walks, or go for family bike rides. Look for safe, fun ways to play outside together year-round. Go to Family Corner Magazine and PBS Parents for more ideas.
4. Write Every Week
More freshmen entering degree-granting postsecondary institutions take remedial writing courses than take remedial reading courses (NCES 2003).
Suggestions
Ask your child to write a weekly letter to his or her grandparents, relatives, or friends. Encourage him to keep a summer journal. Have her write the family's grocery list. Organize a secret pal writing project for adults and kids at your church or in your community.
5. Do a Good Deed
Students learn better and "act out" less when they engage in activities to aid in their social-emotional development, such as community service (The Collaborative for Academic Social and Emotional Learning, 2004).
Suggestions
Encourage your child to help out neighbors or friends. He or she can volunteer with a local group or complete a service learning project. Suggest that your child set aside part of his allowance for charity. Look at Nickelodeon's Big Help web site together for more ideas.
Family Engagement Program Manager, Education Service Center, Region 20
Email: kimberly.baumgardner@esc20.net
Website: www.esc20.net/parentresources
Location: 1314 Hines, San Antonio, TX, United States
Phone: 210-370-5431
Facebook: facebook.com/escregion20
Twitter: @ESCRegion20