CAN YOU BELIEVE SUMMER IS HERE?
I wanted to thank all of my students and their families for the welcome that they gave me this year in the new #EdCommunity. I am grateful for all the lessons each taught me and the experiences we were able to share together.
John Dewy was quoted saying:
"WE DO NOT LEARN FROM EXPERIENCE...
WE LEARN FROM REFLECTING ON EXPERIENCE.
This is as true for all of us because reflection transforms the experiences we live into genuine learning about our values, goals, challenges, and accomplishments. Reflection challenges us to connect activities, class lessons, and the results of our choices to REAL LIFE and develop higher-level thinking and problem-solving.
A key piece to this end of year process is REFLECTION. We completed a reflection in class that some students submitted but I invite you to explore/discuss these with your family if you have time now that your ideas are fresh.
The better equipped we are to problem solve, make connections between the information we have learned in the past, and information we are currently processing, we will find more ways to move forward!
Speaking of finding ways to move forward, I encourage you to find ways to keep your brain, body, and spirit strong this summer.
To make sure that NEXT SCHOOL year your brain is SHARP and ready to GO, explore the ideas I've shared in the visual above and listed below:
Academic Support:
I will be leading a few summer sessions (1on1 and group sessions) for Math and Science as well as offering a Train like an astronaut program. All are meant to infuse fun into learning and keep students from "sliding" over the summer. If you are interested in learning more, check out: www.unyted.co/unyted-learning-centers/valeriateaches
Indoor fun:
Read:
Book stores have a few ideas: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/b/books/kids/science-technology-kids/_/N-29Z8q8Zu55
I would also recommend for the avid readers: Astrophysics for Young People in a Hurry by Niel DeGrasse Tyson
Cooking:
Boston and Cambridge students between the ages of 9 and 12 take part in "Kids' Science and Cooking," a new program hosted by Harvard's School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS) in cooperation with ChopChop, a nonprofit cooking magazine for kids. Bill Yosses, the White House executive pastry chef, took part in the event.
Build:
Explore a few ideas for BUILDING things this summer:
Write:
Let your creativity run wild and capture it in a book: https://readingeggs.com/articles/2015/06/19/story-writing-for-kids/
Outdoor fun:
Follow & connect with the organizations we learned about this year for ideas of how you can support our planet
1) Send it 4 the Seas www.sendit4thesea.org
2) Blue Scholars Initiative www.bluescholars.org
3) CleanMiamiBeach www.Cleanmiamibeach.org
4) Verde Market www.verdemarketonline.com
5) JOI https://addjoi.com/
REMEMBER, 4th Graders have Park Passes. Every year, beginning September 1, all kids in the fourth grade have access to their own Every Kid Outdoors pass. This pass provides free access to national parks across the country. The Every Kid Outdoors pass is good for the 4th grade school year, until August 31.
Wrap up:
Keep your mind and your body active and curious. There are lots of opportunities to continue to learn and explore the world in and around you. I look forward to seeing 3rd and 4th graders next year and wish all our 5th-grade graduates the best of luck in their new schools! Have an out-of-this-world summer!!
With Love, Ms. Valeria