Alexandria Mom's Calendar of Events

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Summer Enrichment Suggestions from ACPS

SUGGESTED SUMMER ENRICHMENT 

For many students, the summer vacation away from school can result in a decline in learning from one academic year to the next. To help address this issue, the ACPS Department of Curriculum and Instruction has assembled a series of resources to help prevent summer learning loss and support learning as students progress through the summer and prepare for the coming academic year.
MATH SITES FOR STUDENTS
   
Math Expressions        
Access to Mega Math, Destination Math, and Student Books. Available for students K-5
Student login required.   

Education Place: Kids  
Free math games, manipulatives, and glossary. No login required            

Greg Tang Math           
Free math games and books. No login required            

NCTM Illuminations     
Free math games and lessons. No login required

Jefferson Lab   
Free SOL practice test and games, select subject and grade level. No login required

TenMarks Math             
Free summer program for students in grade 2-Algebra 2/Geometry. Parents will need to sign students up at the link, no cost             

Kakooma Addition: Free app 
An addition puzzle game with four levels, start with 4 numbers and work up to 9 numbers https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/kakooma-addition/id524388411?mt=8

Kakooma Times: Free app 
A multiplication puzzle game with four levels, start with 4 numbers and work up to 9 numbers          

Kakooma Addition Pro: Free app 
An addition puzzle game with four levels, sums of 25 to 99

Kakooma Times Pro: Free app 
A multiplication puzzle game with four levels, products of 4 to 400

Kakooma Negatives: Free app 
An addition puzzle game with negative numbers and 4 different levels

10 Frame: Free app 
Practice recognizing additive 10 families   

Dominos: Free app 
A game where players match the number of pips to expand a chain

Muggins: Free app
A dominos game            

Number Rack: Free app
A tool of movable colored beads that encourage learners to think in groups of 5s and 10s and explore a variety of addition and subtraction strategies 

Rekenrek: Free app
A rekenrek is a tool to build a deeper understanding of number concepts and relationships https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/rekenrek-by-mathies/id868343670?mt=8

Mancala: Free app
An ancient board game of marbles

Virtual Manipulatives: Free app
Online manipulatives to help develop an understanding of fractions

Bedtime Math: Free app
Free Math Problem of the Day with a variety of topics from roller coasters to electric eels  Each has three levels of questions (Wee Ones, little Kids, and Big Kids)

Show Me: Free app 
Allows you to record voice-over whiteboard tutorials and share them online.  You can also view shared tutorials that have been created by others 

Sushi Monster: Free app
Game to practice, reinforce, and extend math fact fluency

Geoboard: Free app
A tool for exploring a variety of math measurement and geometry topics

Virtual Manipulatives: Free app
A virtual set of fraction bars and other fraction, decimal, and percent manipulatives https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/virtual-manipulatives!/id471341079?mt=8

Fill the Cup: Free app
4 math games allow students to experience math through manipulation. Skills include addition, subtraction, fractions, and more            

Simple Probability: Free app
Focus skill probability, includes narrated lessons, practice questions, virtual manipulatives and challenge games       

Fractions: Free app
Focus skill fractions, includes narrated lessons, practice questions, virtual manipulatives and challenge games       

Gizmos: Free app 
Allows you to use Gizmos on the iPad. Requires Gizmos username and password https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/gizmos/id692838319?mt=8

Puffin Academy: Free app 
Enables Adobe Flash based educational websites on the iOS platform such as Thinkcentral https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/puffin-academy/id716707933?mt=8

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LITERACY SITES & SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDENTS  
Helping students read, write, speak, and listen throughout the summer is a critical priority for reinforcing summer learning-especially in the area of literacy. The following are very useful and student-friendly resources you may wish to consider:
PBS Kids
A rich PBS-sponsored site that reinforces a rich range of summer learning experiences, including suggestions for reinforcing student literacy

Alexandria Library
They have an AMAZING series of free workshops related to Every Hero Has A Story, Google Maker Camp and a Brain Science Night

Tween Tribune
An adolescent-friendly resource reinforcing students' exploration of informational text related to current events of high interest to teens

Newsela
A website that helps students to keep engaged in the latest in current events, expanding their understanding of their world

Book It Summer
Suggestions for summer reading, focused on popular literature for students

Scholastic
Scholastic magazine resources that are useful for engaging students in the reading process, especially interactions with informational text

Books a Million
A rich resource of suggested fiction and non-fiction text highly suitable for young readers

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 SCIENCE SITES & SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDENTS
These are some science experiences that would be helpful for students this summer:

Alexandria Beatley Central Library
Participate in the daily programs at the Beatley Library. Many of these have science themes

Smithsonian Museum of Natural History  
Visit the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History. The Q?rius program offers free daily hands-on science investigations for elementary and middle school students

Citizen Science 
Participate in a Citizen Science project:
Learn computer programming by completing a free class with Code Studio: http://studio.code.org/

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SOCIAL STUDIES SITES & SUGGESTIONS FOR STUDENTS
Visit a cultural or historic site. The Washington, D.C. area, especially Alexandria, is a rich treasure trove for family visits and discussions. The following websites will give families a rich range of options to explore the history, culture, and resources of our region:

Alexandria: 

Virginia: 

Smithsonian Folklife Festival: 

Sunday, June 21, 2015

Summer Reading in Alexandria VA




Alexandria Library’s summer reading program, SummerQuest, begins June 22

Alexandria, VA June 17, 2015 – Start summer off with a bang at the Charles E. Beatley, Jr. Central Library – located at 5005 Duke Street – on Monday, June 22 at 2 p.m with the SummerQuest Kick Off Party. SummerQuest, Alexandria Library’s summer reading program for ages 0 to 5 and 6 to 12, will host its kick off party with fun crafts, games, snacks, and prizes for children.

This annual summer reading program provides fun for all ages. Entertainment includes: music, magic, storytelling, reading, nature shows, dancing, plays, puppets, movies, science and more!

SummerQuest is divided into three groups: SummerQuest Jr. (ages 0-5), SummerQuest (ages 6-12) and Unmask (ages 12-18). This year's theme is "Every Hero Has a Story."

SummerQuest Jr.
Kids between the ages of newborn and five years old can sign up for SummerQuest, Jr. They can either log books read or read to them or complete an early literacy activity sheet for a surprise. SummerQuest, Jr. also features fun programs such as funny puppet shows and lively music concerts.

SummerQuest
Starting on June 22nd, kids between the ages of 6 and 12 get to sign up for the Every Hero Has a Story SummerQuest reading challenge. SummerQuest participants also track the books they read and receive a special prize after reading ten books. The Library has also invited a group of special guests to entertain with music, magic and much more!

Unmask – Teen Reading Challenge
Students between the ages of 12-18 may register for the "Unmask" Teen Reading Challenge. After logging in 5 or more books, their names will be entered in a raffle to win one of two $50 gift cards. Rising 6th and 7th grade students may sign up for either "Every Hero Has a Story" for ages 6-12 or for the teen program, "Unmask." Overdue fines up to $25 will be forgiven for middle and high school students who register, read, and add at least one book to their reading logs.

Most programs for the summer reading program do not require registration to attend.

Scheduled events for this year’s SummerQuest programs are listed here. Check out pictures from last year’s SummerQuest programs here.

For more information about SummerQuest, please contact Anton Murray at 703-746-1770.