Summer Brain Drain Prevention: Opportunities for Students, Teachers and Parents

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Summer learning loss needs a rebrand. The phrase “summer slide” is really just belittling the severe issue of learning loss. Now more than ever in this time of anytime, anywhere learning, we must push back on channeling our inner “Dude” and unabide the slide.

Learning loss is detrimental. The Collaborative Summer Library Program found that low-income students are often the most in need of summer reading programs. According to the Colorado Dept. of Education, students in low-income households fall behind an average of two months, and learning loss is cumulative with losses building up each summer.

Summer brain drain shouldn’t be viewed as an opportunity lost. Instead, summer break should be seen as an opportunity for parents, community and business leaders to create unique learning experiences for students. This shift in perspective and thinking should be championed by Smart Parents.

Here’s a list from Team Getting Smart and our community of teacher bloggers and advocates of learning ideas for students, parents and teachers for the upcoming summer months that go beyond your average reading list.

For Students

For Teachers

  • Share My Lesson’s Summer of Learning series. Four days of webinars, free PD and opportunities to earn credit.
  • Moss Pike and Aimee Bartis, Getting Smart Teacher Bloggers, suggested local EdCamps and the opportunity for educators to organize CoffeeEDU meetings.
  • Write a guest blog for GettingSmart.com. Topic: How can educators and EdLeaders create and foster environments that support GenDIY in taking control of their unique journeys to college, career, and contribution. Submit to [email protected].
  • PresenceLearning’s “Greatest Hits Summer Series.” ASHA CE credits are available for seven webinars. The series runs July 15 – August 16.
  • Courtney Hanes, Getting Smart Teacher Blogger, suggested ThinkCERA for fellow teachers, a platform for teachers personalizing literacy instruction across disciplines.
  • EdmodoCon 2015. Live online event where educators from around the world connect with each other to share how they’re using Edmodo and other digital tools. (See Edmodo feature by Getting Smart Teacher Blogger Greg Garner.)

For Parents

Have resources, events, strategies and best practices that should be on this list? Comment below!

For more, check out:

DreamBox Learning, Connections Education and MIND Research Institute are Getting Smart Advocacy Partners.

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