Summer Reading Challenge Using Student Lexile Information

As the end of the school year approaches, we begin encouraging our children to stay involved in reading over the summer.  We are all aware of the “summer slide” that occurs when students do not read on a regular basis and begin to fall behind in reading achievement.  To prevent this, we would like to share with you a national, state-led summer reading initiative that supports students in finding great books to read over the summer.

Georgia is launching the 2013 Summer Reading Challenge to combat this summer loss in student reading ability.   The Lexile “Find a Book” website can help identify books that students are interested in and are able to read.  This tool can be found at www.Lexile.com/fab/GA.    Information about the Georgia Department of Education’s Summer Reading Challenge initiative can be found at:  http://www.gadoe.org/Curriculum-Instruction-and-Assessment/Curriculum-and-Instruction/Pages/Georgia-Summer-Reading-Challenge.aspx

You may also find this information posted on www.georgiastandards.org.  Additionally, information about Lexiles on student test reports and how to use this information can be found at www.gadoe.org/lexile.aspx.

We appreciate you joining our Summer Reading Challenge efforts to help students “Find-a-Book” and increase their reading skills.

Thank you for helping make education work for all Georgia students.

Martha

__________________________________________
Martha Ross Reichrath, Ph.D.
Deputy State Superintendent
Georgia Department of Education
Office of Curriculum, Instruction, Assessment, and Accountability
205 Jesse Hill Jr., Drive
1770 Twin Towers East
Atlanta, GA 30334
(404) 656-2804 - phone
(770) 344-4382 - fax
mreichrath@doe.k12.ga.us
http://gadoe.org
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"Making Education Work for All Georgians" 

Best Day of the Year

Long Jump

   One of my students dad made us field day shirts. 

                                     

Face Painting

Face Painting

We Can! Screen Time Chart

Fill out the We Can! Screen Time Chart to see how much time your family spends in front of a screen.

Keep one chart for each person. Be sure to include time spent with cell phones and other hand-held video or gaming devices. Post the chart where it’s easy for everyone to see and use. Good places are near the family TV, by the computer, or on the refrigerator. If screen time for each person is less than 2 hours a day,
you’re doing great! If it’s 2 hours or more, then it’s time to move more. Find ideas to get your family moving in the We Can! Family Guide. Take a look at:

• We Can! Parent Tips: Help Your Kids Reduce Screen Time and Move More
• We Can! Parent Tips: Be Active and Have Fun

You can print more screen time charts from the We Can! Web site at http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/downloads/screen-time-log.pdf.

How to fill in the We Can! Screen Time Chart
To fill in your family’s screen time chart— For each day, write the hours spent for each type of screen. Then add the hours for each day. Write the total in the “Daily Total” column.






http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/heart/obesity/wecan/downloads/screen-time-log.pdf

Make A Difference In A Child's Life

Do you remember the first time you were asked to comprehend matter, the solar system, or life long ago? Science and social studies standards are challenging for second graders because they mainly understand concert concepts . They need opportunities to read on grade level and have hands on centers to learn about abstract concepts.  Please visit the site below to make a donation to help fund materials needed for my second grade classroom.  No donation is to small.  Any amount will be greatly appreciated.

http://www.donorschoose.org/project/reading-science-and-social-studieso/996161/?verify=-1669077678

Helpful Information for Families Looking Summer Opportunities

WEBSITES FOR SUMMER CAMPS

ACC Leisure Services:

http://athensclarkecounty.com/index.aspx?NID=1604

http://issuu.com/accleisureservices/docs/summer_2013_program_guide_final_booklet_pdf?mode=window

Georgia Bulldogs Camps & Clinics:

http://www.georgiadogs.com/camps/geo‐camps.html

Summer Marine Science Camps:

http://www.marex.uga.edu/aquarium/summerCamps.html

Athens YMCA Camps:

http://www.athensymca.org/day‐camp

Athens Parent.Com (Good Overview of Choices):

http://www.athensparent.com/campus

Food is in when school is out!

This summer, children between the ages of 1 and 18 can come eat lunch at no

cost. No registration required.

WHERE: Fowler Drive Elementary School, Oglethorpe Elementary School, Gaines Elementary School

WHEN: Tuesday, May 28th—Friday, July 19th

TIME: 11:00am—1:00pm

Adults are welcome, too. Cost of an adult meal is $3.00. Meals must be eaten on site.

Free summer meals (breakfast, lunch, or snacks) will be served to children in low-income areas at sites such as neighborhood parks, libraries, schools, places of worship, mobile buses, and recreation centers.

To find free summer meals near you, call the toll-free National Hunger Hotline at 1-866-3-HUNGRY or visitwww.whyhunger.org/findfood. 

If you work for an organization that serves low-income children, you can learn more about addressing childhood hunger when school is out by watching the Summer Food training videos.

Learn more about the summer meals program. You can also get childhood nutrition e-mail updates from the USDA's Food and Nutrition Service.

Surfing For A Cure

Winterville Elementary is Surfing for a Cure for cancer.  In support of our theme, students and teachers dressed up in Hawaiian style clothes.  Also the school sold glow sticks to help raise money for our relay team.