The Metro Times Atlanta June 2018 | Page 6

Page 6

EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT

ummer Slide! It sounds like

Sa fun and entertaining game children play during the summer. However, this term refers to the academic loss and regression that many children experience during the 8-10 weeks of summer vacation. Even though Summer break is here, that does not mean that children cannot continue learning.“ According to National Summer Learning Association, all students experience learning losses when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer months, and most lose about two months of gradelevel equivalency in mathematical computation skills”( Fleming,

2017).

Other great opportunities to engage in learning this summer are through local community resources, including the public library and the recreational facilities. These facilities offer many opportunities to engage students in reading and math activities throughout the summer. These activities are also generally free or have minimal fees associated with them. According to Melissa Taylor’ s recent blog on www. readbrightly. com,“ Simply ask your children to practice reading, writing, and math throughout their vacation time.” You don’ t have to spend long hours doing so but just a few minutes each day will help your children.

1. Plan. Develop a routine for your days during the summer to schedule in learning time. I would suggest scheduling your learning time in the morning so kids can get work done first and then play.

COFFEE BREAK WITH DR. ANDREA YOUR OPPORTUNITY IS HERE

Recently, I received an interesting email from Bishop T. D. Jakes,“ Your opposition is your opportunity!” Every situation brings about its challenges. Sometimes these challenges can leave you feeling hopeless. I understand this feeling because I’ ve been there. If the first half of your 2018 has been marked with opposition, then it’ s time to be on the lookout for your opportunity!

T. D. Jakes said,“ Instead of focusing on the problem— worrying, being afraid, doubting yourself, doubting God— start looking for the potential God has placed before you. Look for the new thing! Look

SUMMER SCHOOL AND PLAY

2. Designate a space. Pick an area in your house where you would like your child to do their work. When you have found the space, set up a calendar and a checklist of the activities that need to be done every day. 3. Gather supplies needed. Make a list of what you will need for the summer and make sure you have them. You might need books for math or other studies. You might need different items for crafts. Make sure you have everything you need ahead of time. 4. Read. Figure out your child’ s reading level and try to stick to books that will either challenge their reading level or at least maintain it. I would suggest having a reading time of 10-20 minutes each day or more. Reading a few books every day will help prevent academic regression. 5. Practice specific subjects. How well do your kids know their math? You can practice subtraction and addition with them. Without practice, kids will begin to lose what they previously learned. Repetitive practice of these subjects helps their recall. Purchase workbooks for your child’ s grade level and ask them to complete a couple of pages during their learning session in the morning. If you purchase the books, you won’ t have to create a curriculum, and it will be the same one they are learning in school. 5. Make it fun! Summertime is still a break from school, but you can always keep learning. You can find creative ways to make learning fun. Children love learning through play. Buy some outdoor chalk and have your learning session outside in the driveway. Find some fun, educational songs to sing with your kids. You can take a long walk in the woods and learn about nature. Find something fun to do and figure out a way to learn while doing it.

Children, have a great summer break. Please play safely and keep learning. See you soon.

for the new direction! Look for the new opportunity!”

Wow! That’ s it! It’ s all about your focus. If you focus on the issue( opposition), then it will consume your thoughts. However, if you shift your attention to the opportunity, then that’ s what you’ ll find. Ask yourself,

What can I learn? Write five things you have learned from the opposition you’ re facing. What new thing can I try? Albert Einstein said,“ Insanity is doing the same thing over and over again expecting different results.” Is this you? Stop! It’ s time to make a turn and try something different.

How should I move forward? If you’ re facing opposition, then start looking for the open door by asking yourself“ how can I …” not“ can I...” Choosing the former versus the latter focuses on solutions.

Life is a series of mountain highs and valley lows. It doesn’ t take work to move forward when you are on the mountaintop, because it looks like opportunity everywhere. If you’ re in a valley low, then you have to push ahead with intention and trust that your opportunity is already here.

Yes! It was 1988 when Paula Dominy acquired the Mimi Hutson Dance Studio!

A s as soon students are out of the building, things get ridiculous. Teachers might be seen riding book carts down the halls while their phones blast Beastie Boys. Everything runs at warp speed as inventories are verified, classroom supplies are packed, and checklists are completed.

Summer will be full. We’ ll travel, visit museums, catch up on movies, and attend workshops. We’ ll camp, run marathons, and go on cruises. Some of us will create art projects and play in our gardens. Hopefully, we’ ll see blueberries, tomatoes and cucumbers, and finally get ferns and lavender to grow into their destinies on the porch.

Scott Fitzgerald said that“ life... begin [ s ] over again with the summer.”

As I sit perched in a spot I intend to occupy as often as I can, I know that I will spend time thinking about new things I want to do in my classroom next year. I will grieve students whose presence brought life to my classroom, but will remember that every single

“ life begin [ s ] over again with summer.”

year brings a new crop of delight. I will spend long, luxurious stretches of time without uttering a single word. And I will try to figure out how to get my classroom to feel more like a porch.

DANIEL S. DIGBY Attorney at Law

Samantha Swaney

Daniel S. Digby & Associates, LLC 946 South Main St. NE, Conyers GA 30012

Phone: [phone]

Fax: [phone]

Email: DSDIGBY @ BELLSOUTH. NET

JUNE 2018

SUMMERTIME FOR TEACHERS( AS TOLD BY ONE OF US)