School’s out for summer? Not for almost 100 students with the Sudbury Catholic School Board. For three weeks these students are immersed in rich literacy, numeracy or aboriginal learning. It’s a proven fact that students, in the summer, lose some of the learning from the school year. These students will have less of a gap and with a much smaller class size and a ratio of about one educator for every five students the hands on learning never ends. From learning phonics to learning coding skills students are excited to keep learning in the summer even after an entire school year. ”As an educator, it is so rewarding when you hear students that are so excited to come back everyday!” said educator Lynsie Royer. Pictured are student Paa and camp councillor Nick Kennedy who are using robotics to practice their literacy skills. Camp Councillor Nick says he can’t believe how much fun learning can be. “When we are using the robots, Dash and Dot, in the classroom the students are having so much fun that they don’t even recognize that they are learning”
Month: July 2015
Learning about First Nations Culture at Sudbury Catholic Summer School
Summer students of Sudbury Catholic School’s First Nations, Metis and Inuit Summer Literacy Camp were treated to a special presentation by Brandon Petahtegoose of Atikameksheng Anishnawbek. Brandon is a recent graduate of Indigenous Studies at Trent University and a grass dancer. Brandon shared stories and songs about the grass dance, different kinds of pow wow dancing and stories about the drum. He also shared some Anishnaabemowin (Ojibway language) teachings. The students enjoyed the interactive presentation and were invited to participate in the upcoming Pow Wow in Atikameksheng Anishnawbek on July 25-26th, along with their families.
Pictured are summer students Isabella Pandolfo, Logan Lariviere, Makayla Pitawanakwat and Lea Myre along with dancer Brandon Petahtegoose.
Parent Involvement Key at SCDSB Summer School
Parental involvement is an important component of Sudbury Catholic’s Summer Learning Programs. The Summer Learning Programs ran from July 6-July 24. Every Tuesday morning, parents were invited to “Coffee Chats” and have the opportunity to sit in a variety of workshops such as, “Helping Your Child Succeed in School”, Understanding Your Child’s Learning Style” and “Advocacy & Self-Advocacy”.
Hands On Learning at Sudbury Catholic Summer School
What are you doing this summer?
Students at the Sudbury Catholic District School Board are sharpening their skills in literacy and numeracy with hands on learning and aboriginal teachings. Students begin the program with an assessment to confirm their level of proficiency and then work towards improvement for three weeks. This is the fifth summer camp run by the school board and each year students show a marked improvement from the first day until the last. This camp has helped students with the “summer learning losses” that happen each year for all students in Ontario schools. Research shows that over the summer months students loose some of the gains they made throughout the year. This three week intense program helps combat the summer loss.
Pictured below are Christopher and Cody who are creating a Tower of Power and reading sight words.
Technology at SCDSB Summer School
As most parents know children today can’t seem to go without their technology. Whether it’s playing on a gaming system or using a tablet. The Sudbury Catholic District School Board is using that interest in their summer program. Students were introduced to Dash and Dot as a new learning friend. Software is becoming a critical layer of all our lives. It is the language of our world. In the future, not knowing the language of computers will be as challenging as being illiterate or innumerate are today. Using these robots students are able to drag-and-drop programming language that snaps together like puzzle pieces. We start by sending simple commands and progress to creating more complex algorithms. The picture below shows Alexandra Gratton learning the first steps in using Dash.
Shaking and Sharing!
SCDSB Teacher Nanette Shonwise created “Shake and Share” one of the many fun math centres she uses in her summer learning program at St. Francis School. She used water bottles filled with water, some glitter and 2 dice. She then sealed the bottles shut with glue. All that the students have to do is shake the bottle and look at the numbers at the bottom of the bottle. The object of the game is to add (or operation of choice) the 2 dice before the glitter reaches the bottom. Idea adapted by Jane Felling.
Technology is Key at Sudbury Catholic Summer School
The goals of the Sudbury Catholic District School Board’s summer learning programs are to make a difference for students experiencing literacy and numeracy challenges, minimize summer learning loss, and increase literacy and numeracy achievements. In the program we use engaging and upbeat strategies such as technology to capture and hold student’s attention.
Pictured is a student who is using an accessory for the iPad called Osmo to learn about words. Students either in a group or by themselves spell words using tiles which are transmitted to the iPad. Students self correct when mistakes are made and celebrate as they move forward. Its been known to happen that students get so excited that they break out in a celebratory dance.
Fun Never Ends At SCDSB Summer School
There’s a lot of learning going on in SCDSB teacher Meredith Allen’s classroom this summer. There are 15 students and three employees, Meredith the teacher, the classroom tutor Mme Lavalle and the camp counsellor Brendon Easter working with the students every day to increase literacy skills. Meredith explains the day, “We work together in small groups and have different activities happening throughout the day. Students seem excited to see and experience what’s next. The fun never ends!”
Thanks from the SCDSB Summer School Staff
The other day at the end of a summer camp day, staff were asked a question by a parent. “What goes on all day? When I ask my child what they are doing they tell me they just played.”
After they thanked the parent for the compliment, they explained that the students are using educational games throughout the day. Students start with thirty minutes of activity time. Then 45 minutes of taekwondo, then snack then back to activity until the end of the day at 12:30. The activities are so much fun the students don’t even realize they are learning the entire day.
The question also reminded staff of this quote:
Just Playing
When you ask me what I’ve done at school today, and I say, “I Just played.” Please don’t misunderstand me. For, you see, I’m learning as I play.
I’m learning to enjoy and be successful in my work. I’m preparing for tomorrow. Today, I am a child and my work is play. By Anita Wadley
So thank you for the compliment because we are having so much fun at work!
The Sudbury Catholic Schools Summer Camp Staff