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(1) Recommended National Educational Websites; and

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In this issue the Promising Practices Forum we have been asked to provide tips for parents to use with children over summer break. Brought to you by ldonline.org, the activities below are ones that may be distributed by educators to families as schools go on long term recess.

National Website of Importance – Teachers College at Columbia University has been producing research for years that impact education and how the practice of learning takes place. Find out more and visit with other educators online via the Teachers Forum at their website - http://www.tc.columbia.edu/

Promising Practice Research and Teaching Tips

Summer tips for parents and students - How to make the most of school-year progress during the vacation months.

Although most children eagerly anticipate summer and their vacation from school, many parents look to this time with mixed feelings. Their children have worked hard to master skills and learn strategies that translate efforts into success and they are often justifiably concerned about maintaining or enhancing academic abilities during the summer months. The absence of the daily structure and the academic instruction provided by school presents both opportunities and challenges.

NCLD offers some tips for parents and students to keep up the momentum of their school- year progress:

Set your goals

Realistic goal setting is crucial for success. Identify the skills or behaviors that are of the greatest concern and think about ways that children can practice these skills in everyday activities. For example, cooking can be used to help children with sequencing, measurement, and fine-motor skills. An end of the year conference with teachers may help to provide creative ideas for skill building.

Create a schedule

Consider the routines of family members and the amount of time that is available for engaging in traditionally "academic" activities, such as reading, writing, or math. Whenever possible, plan special family activities that will allow children to tap these skills, while linking them to "real-life" personal experiences. Trips to the library, a museum, a sporting event, or even shopping can provide excellent opportunities for applying skills (such as reading, writing, math, creative thinking, critical thinking, problem- solving) in natural settings.

Beyond academics

The priorities that you set for your children during the summer months merit careful consideration. A child cannot live by academic achievement alone. Concerns about skill learning have to be taken into account with other areas of development. Social skills and interpersonal relationships as well as extracurricular activities, such as hobbies or sports, can be of tremendous importance to your children.

Strategies

Summer is usually a time without grades. This freedom can be used to help children experience academic activities in new ways. Whenever possible, allow children to self- select activities. Encourage them to read, write, and learn about subjects of interest to them. When opportunities arise, encourage children to interact with peers in activities related to these subjects.

Don't limit activities to paper and pencil. Be prepared with a variety of materials that promote reading, writing, and drawing. Include such things as a tape recorder, software programs or World Wide Web addresses, or arts- and- crafts supplies.

Show an interest in the work children complete during the summer. Inquire about books they've read, discuss what they've written, display their artwork and join them in these activities. Modeling behaviors goes a long way towards teaching skills, providing encouragement, and communicating values.

A golden rule: have fun

Ask your children and they'll tell you: "summer should be fun." Don't let this sentiment get lost in the desire for academic reinforcement. Especially if children are frustrated in academic efforts, summer is a time when skills can be re-taught and reinforced in positive ways. Enjoyable summer experiences can make a world of difference in children's attitudes and approaches to academics when school resumes in the fall.

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