Meritas Family of Schools Unveils Helpful Tips to Prevent Seasonal Learning Loss, Announces Summer Seminar
- International Network of Schools Helps Students Begin the 2012/2013 School Year With a Competitive Edge
To jump-start each child's summer learning experience, Meritas team members have unveiled a few of their favorite summer learning activities.
TIPS FOR OLDER STUDENTS
Make a Movie
No, seriously! Write a screenplay, grab your video camera or iPad, and make a movie. Virtually every film director began making movies at a young age. Invite your neighborhood to view the final production on “opening night.”
Become a Beethoven
Learn to play a musical instrument. If you already play one, find a piece of music that really challenges you, something you'd love to be able to play brilliantly, and go for it. Nothing worthwhile was ever achieved without strenuous effort.
Meet Someone from a Different Culture
Whether you have the opportunity to travel abroad or simply connect with someone online, meeting someone from a different culture can be a mind-blowing experience! Talk to your new friend about how he or she spends free time. Ask him or her to share some favorite recipes with you, and try them out with your family.
Challenge Yourself Abroad
Participate in an intellectual study abroad program, such as the Meritas Seminar at Oxford University. This year's seminar, titled “Meeting the Challenges of Democracy,” will grant students the opportunity to travel abroad while learning the principles and problems of democracy at one of the most prestigious colleges in the world. For more information, visit www.meritas.net/seminar.
TIPS FOR PARENTS OF YOUNGER LEARNERS
Make a Photo Album
Using a digital camera, make a photo album and share stories with your child about the photos. Labeling the photos (online or in a scrapbook) builds vocabulary, literacy and social-emotional skills.
Explore Your Backyard
Make a science connection to the plants and insects in your backyard or community garden. These experiences use the language of measurement and inspire children to graph the growth patterns of the insects and plants.
Mix in Some Math
Numbers are everywhere! Make a habit of pointing them out, and practice some spontaneous math wherever you go. See if he or she can figure out how many days there are in a month, or compete to see who can guess the grocery bill to the nearest whole number.
Read Out Loud . . . Together
Choose a children's literature classic and read it aloud together. Parents often stop reading aloud to children too early. By reading aloud, we model fluency and voice, and we improve listening comprehension.
Website: http://www.meritas.net
Contact
Allison Grenesko, Meritas
312-805-0383
Send Email
This news is a press release provided by Meritas Family of Schools.