WE ARE A COMMUNITY OF READERS! SO: TELL YOUR NEIGHBOR ABOUT A BOOK YOU HAVE READ THAT HAS LED TO REALLY INTERESTING CONVERSATIONS.

SUMMER BRAIN GAIN PTA MEETING JUNE 1, 2016 SARA EWBANK CHLOE PATTERSON

SUMMER LEARNING LOSS Research compiled by H. Cooper et.al. indicates: Learning sticks when it is continuous; long breaks leave kids out of shape While some students manage moderate gains in reading over summer, others slide back, creating exaggerated gaps in the fall cohort Particularly true for students who struggle Increasingly true with age

“2/3 of the 9 th grade academic achievement gap between low SES and middle SES students … can be explained by what happens over the summer during the elementary years.”

SUMMER LEARNING LOSS Research published in 2008 indicates that access to books and time spent independent reading are helpful. HOWEVER, real growth comes from thoughtful engagement and discourse with others. reading + processing with others = creating knowledge and understanding

TOGETHER, WE ACT AS A NET

COMMUNITY OF READERS For Sara For Chloe

MAKING IT ALL WORK TOGETHER Reading Activity and Exploration Discussion and production

STRIKING A BALANCE Plan for some reading every day: make it a part of the routine Be consistent across the summer weeks Look for activities that involve learning new skills and practicing learned skills Articulate and exaggerate the learning that accompanies daily activity; take advantage of the lessons the summer environment provides

BRENT RESOURCES Recommended Summer Reading

BRENT RESOURCES tinyurl.com/BrentReading Record each book Linked from the website Teachers can see it in real time! IXL 1 st -5 th graders keep their accounts through summer Make sure you have your login information

DC PUBLIC LIBRARY Summer Reading Program Book Lists and Incentives

SOME ONLINE RESOURCES Storyline Online Oxford Owl Scholastic.com Summer Reading Club Storia Book Wizard Bedtime Math

OTHER IDEAS? How does your family make summer reading work? What do you do (or plan to do) to engage with your kids over books? Are there ways that you could serve as a support to others in Brent’s community of readers?

MORE INFORMATION National Summer Learning Association National Educational Commission on Time and Learning www2.ed.gov/pubs/PrisonersOfTime