Written by: TFVstaff • July 22, 2019• In Our Schools

Summer Learning Tips And Award Opps From M-DCPS

To prevent the summer slide, the Miami-Dade County Public Schools’ (M-DCPS) Department of Early Childhood Programs is offering tips for parents whose children will be entering Kindergarten in August. To reinforce early learning skills during the summer, parents are encouraged to turn everyday moments into learning experiences and try out the following tips and strategies:

Talk with your child – Ask your child questions that require more than a yes or no response. Repeat and build upon what your child says and introduce new vocabulary. Encourage your child to use newly acquired words when applicable.
Read aloud to your child every day – Designate a “reading time” for the whole family or for just you and your child. Practice early reading skills by letting your child hold the book and turn the pages. Encourage your child to describe the pictures and share what they notice. Move your finger along under the words to develop concepts of print.
Write about experiences – Assign a consistent location for writing and encourage your child to write about their summer experiences. Early in development, children’s drawings and scribbles are their writing. Allow your child to share experiences on paper in his/her own way.
Turn everyday moments into teachable moments – Use laundry time, a trip to the grocery store or a ride in the car to teach your child. Ask your child to help sort laundry and talk about the similarities and differences between the clothing. When shopping with your child, read the logos of favorite foods or stores, let your child pick out fruits or vegetables and identify the beginning sound of their name. When riding in the car, look for words found on billboards and signs, count colored cars or engage in rhymes and sing-a-longs.
Visit your local library – Schedule weekly trips to the library and check out summer reading books,e-books, audiobooks, music, videos, and more. Check out a Museum Pass for free admission to local museums. Participate in engaging and meaningful summer events and story times.

Older students can take advantage of digital programs for grades PreK-12. Starting on June 7th and continuing to August 2nd, M-DCPS students can have some fun with three reading and math challenges that will give them the opportunity to win some big prizes!

The myON Summer Reading Challenge – open to students who were enrolled in grades PreK-12 during the 2018-2019 school year. The top 14 myON readers will be recognized for the most time spent reading, scoring at least 70 percent on book quizzes, and demonstrating growth. The top three District-wide myON winners will be awarded an Apple iPad Mini (previous winners are not eligible to win iPad Mini) and a $50 gift certificate. The top myON winner in each grade level will be awarded a $50 gift certificate.
The Reflex Math Summer Challenge – The top five Reflex users will be recognized for meeting all four categories: highest average daily use, highest “Green Light Percentage, greatest facts gained, and greatest facts solved. The top Reflex winner in each grade level will be awarded an Amazon Fire 10 HD Tablet (previous winners are not eligible to win Amazon tablet) and a Reflex Math Swag Bag.
The Reading Plus Summer Challenge – open to students who were enrolled in grades 9-12 during the 2018-2019 school year. The top three Reading Plus users will be recognized for the most “Lessons Completed” and earning at least 70 percent on the lessons. The top three District-wide Reading Plus winners will be awarded an Apple iPad Mini (previous winners are not eligible to win iPad Mini) and a $50 gift certificate.

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