MARESA Literacy Monthly: May-June 2022 Edition

Engaging Families

Supporting Summer Reading While The School doors are still open! 

The Essential School-Wide and Center-Wide Practices in Literacy document offers guidance for preparing students and families for summer.  Below you will find Essential 9, bullets 3 and 4:    

Essential # 9:  An ambitious summer reading initiative supports reading growth. 

• providing instruction at the end of the school year to re-emphasize reading comprehension strategies and orient children to summer reading by encouraging use of effective strategies while reading at home;  and
• providing structured guidance to parents and guardians to support reading at home, such as by encouraging parents and guardians to listen to their child read aloud, discuss books with their child, and provide feedback on their child’s reading.

After reading the research-supported practices above, reflect independently or with colleagues using the following prompts: 

1. What reading strategies would benefit students while reading over the summer?  
2. When might I provide instruction to help students bridge strategy use from school year/classroom use to independent summer reading? 
3. Are there any tools that I could provide to help encourage reading strategy use over summer?  (ex. specialized bookmarks, posters, recordings...)
4. How might I share the benefits of supporting reading at home over the summer with families?
5. What structured guidance could I provide to encourage parents to listen and support their child's reading through the summer months?

*Of course, as you reflect, consider text access and connecting students and families to text available!

Spotlight on the Essentials

Michigan Learning Channel Summer Programs

Literacy Essential #10 in both the K-3 and 4-5 documents calls educators to collaborate with families to promote literacy.   Specifically, bullet 5 states that one way to do this is to provide literacy-supporting resources.  With so much to do and limited time to do it, why not connect families to a high quality resource that can support their child's summer learning, The Michigan Learning Channel's Summer Reading Program.  Here are a few highlights: 

• 8 weeks of high interest themed learning
• families can follow a program guide for viewing or access lessons on demand
• printable student workbooks (lessons can be accessed on pages using a QR code!)

See the teacher guide for this year's programing HERE!

Here are two videos that have been made especially for MARESA teachers to share this information with families: 

• Video #1:  MLC Summer 2022 Overview 
  
• Video #2:  MLC Summer 2022 Virtual Events

Visit this link to learn more! 

For the Love of Reading

tEachers as readers

We encourage you to embrace the escape of a good book this summer!  Did you know it can even benefit your health? In all of the hustle and bustle of a school year, sometimes the only reading that is done is that which is anchored in your classwork.  Take a moment to share a book recommendation on this Jamboard.  Check out what others are reading, too!  We thank you in advance for your contributions to this shared reading list!

Also, if you haven't tried out the Libby App on your device (you can use on your computer, too), try it now!  With your local library card and Libby, you have access to 1000's of high quality books, magazines, audiobooks, and more!  Contact your local librarian or email hmuscoe@maresa.org if you would like support in getting this set up.  

Managing It all!

Taking time for some fun!

One resource to check out when you have some free time is found within the Michigan eLibrary  The Hobbies and Crafts Reference Center is easy to navigate and search...this free collection is one that you will surely appreciate!  Perhaps you have something you'd like to try in the garden or you'd like to learn how to make jewelry this summer?  Look no further!  Make sure that you share this resource with your friends and family, too!

Summer Learning

tEachers as Learners

Summertime is often used as a time to reflect, recharge, and look forward to new beginnings.  When you begin to look forward, we invite you to explore learning options. View a curated collection HERE!  

Please note:  Edupaths has adopted a single sign-on which is good but it changes the process for accessing Edupaths courses a bit therefore our direct links to courses do not work unless you are already logged into Edupaths. See the directions below.

1. First, make sure your browser is logged into your district email account.

2. Next, go to Edupaths.org and click "Log In"

3. It will take you to the Midatahub.org Log in Portal. Search for your district.

4. When you select your district, it will log you in with your school email account.

5. Now you can click on any of the links we provided below. Click the enroll button and authorize to connect Edupaths to your google account.

6. Once in Edupaths, you can also search for any course by title.

If you need any assistance, contact Gaby at geyzagui@maresa.org

 go! Go! Gaby!

Learning Activities for family fun!

Dr. White and I worked on the LAFF project some time ago, and we had a great time thinking of activities for families to do together, that balanced being active and the outdoors while taking advantage of technology. 

This site was created with the support of NMU's School of Education Leadership and Public Service SELPS, please share it with your student's families!