On Friday afternoon, four of Ms. Ingemi’s students came into my office to show me a fictional book they had written on the topic of empathy. They had just finished a lesson sequence on empathy, during which they read the book One Green Apple by Eve Bunting, and they practiced walking in the shoes of the main character Farah, who is new to the country and feeling very alone at school.
It was clear how excited they were to show me their work as they leaned over my desk with proud smiles, talking about who wrote each part and how they came up with their ideas. Here are a few pages from their book:
Empathy is an important social emotional skill, part of a broader area known as social awareness. Students who are able to empathize with others are more inclined to engage in pro-social behaviors (show kindness toward others), they have better communication and relationship skills, and they show higher academic gains.
Next year, our students will be learning more about empathy by reading high-quality picture books and engaging in critical literacy tasks, as they did in Ms. Ingemi’s class. Not only did the students demonstrate evidence of empathy learning, but they took their learning to the next level by applying it to a new situation that they created.
“Stories have educational power, inviting us to feel, think and judge.”
Marshall Gregory
Their story also had a happy ending:
And it taught a lesson!
This summer, we will be reading more about empathy and other traits that help students to be successful, including persistence, resilience, and flexibility. We are reading A Mindset for Learning: Teaching the traits of Joyful, Independent Growth by Kristine Mraz and Christine Hertz. Want to read along with us? Click on the book below for a preview:
For more information on Social Emotional Learning, see the link below:
The Importance of Summer Learning: Make Summer Count!
By Jennifer DiMarco – ECEC Reading Specialist
As another exciting school year comes to an end and we reflect upon all the learning that has taken place, we must also think about how we can keep the learning momentum going throughout the summer months. Summer is the perfect time for students of all ages to relax, but it is also a time when summer learning loss can occur. This learning loss is called the Summer Slide, and it happens when children do not engage in educational activities during the summer months.This is a well-researched phenomenon which documents that most students lose about two months of grade level equivalency in reading and mathematical computation skills over the summer months.
The summer vacation breaks the continuity of instruction, leads to forgetting, and requires a significant amount of review of material when the students return to school in the fall. Consequently, teachers need to spend between 4-6 weeks re-teaching skills that students have forgotten over the summer. These critical skills can include letters and sounds, sight words, writing processes, math facts, problem solving steps, and comprehension skills.
Summer vacation is filled with teachable moments for your children to help them stay sharp for next school year. Below are some suggestions to keep your children reading and engaged in educational activities throughout the summer.
Have your child read EVERY DAY for at least 20 minutes!
- Keep Books Everywhere! On the shelves and in baskets. In the car and in the bathroom. On the porch and in the beach bag. If books are there, kids will read them!
Read Aloud!
- Reading aloud is the foundation for literacy development and the most important activity for reading success. Reading aloud to your students builds listening skills, imagination, and increases vocabulary.
- Read with expression and change your voice for different characters.
Visit the Library!
- The library is a fun place for the whole family. Let your children book shop for books on their reading and interest level.
- Check the library calendar for special summer reading activities and events.
Create a Summer Bucket List!
- Everyone in the family should write a summer bucket list. Encourage your children to use sight words when writing. Share lists and make plans to accomplish activities on the list.
Start a Family Book Club!
- The entire family can read the same book together.
- Talk, share, and write about the book.
Put on a show!
- Acting out characters’ parts engages children while building memorization, fluency, and comprehension skills.
Keep a Summer Journal/Scrapbook!
- Have your children write about their summer plans and draw pictures.
- Take pictures to include in a scrapbook. Write sentences and label the pictures.
Learn from a Vacation!
- Research the trip. (Learn geography, Get directions, Write an itinerary)
Use the iPad for educational activities!
- Alphabet and Sight Word Games
- Math Facts
- e-Books
Cook with your Children!
- Have your children follow a recipe. This enhances both reading and math skills as well as following directions.
- Let your children create a menu
ECEC students have worked hard this year. Let’s help them maintain the skills they have learned by balancing fun with learning!
JUNE DATES TO REMEMBER:
Wednesday, June 1, 2016 – Greenhouse Committee Meeting, after dismissal, conference room
Friday, June 3, 2016 – Preschool Field Day
Thursday, June 9 and Friday, June 10, 2016 – Little Italy Celebrations
Monday, June 13, 2016 – Character Reader Day/Summer Reading Goal Setting Day
Wednesday, June 15, 2016 – K/1 Field Day
Monday, June 20, 2016 – Super Friends Goodbye assembly (note date change). Last day of school!
To our students, families, and friends–thank you so much for your support during the 2015-2016 school year.
We wish you … a wonderful summer!
Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
Darla
Growing Super Friends 