RCSD students Heat Up Summer Learning with Creative Exploration and Hands-On Learning
RCSD students Heat Up Summer Learning with Creative Exploration and Hands-On Learning
Summer weather was hot but it was also a great opportunity for students to fire up their minds with interactive and engaging activities.
Across Redwood City School District (RCSD), nearly 500 rising K-8 students and 37 teachers explored language arts and mathematics through experiential learning activities, as well having some fun and expressing themselves through art too! The Big Lift Inspiring Summers program held at RCSD boasted 60 students and four teachers.
Younger students built stories and sentences word by word and honed in foundational math skills, strengthening their reading and math fluency.
In Ms. Kristy Herrera’s class, students participated in Shared Writing, sharing reasons they enjoyed summer school. The class focused on complete sentences, punctuation, and grammar, while the teacher modeled correct letter formation on the whiteboard. Using equity sticks, all students had the chance to contribute, writing one sentence each day.
Grades 3-8 also partook in AIR Reading for English language arts to support students in foundational skills and reading comprehension.
Around 70 middle school participants explored the four math operations of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division through action, celebrating their learning along the way this summer.
Hands-on math manipulatives such as Cuisenaire Rods, Block Patterns, and Bowling activities provided older students with concrete examples for abstract math ideas–while upping the level of excitement in the classroom. Using manipulatives is a longstanding essential addition to developing deeper understanding of math concepts in students.
Summer school teacher Princess Margaret Paz said the students’ “enthusiasm and creativity have been truly inspiring.” Adding that students were thrilled with their achievements and successes in math challenges during the summer course.
Student-centered mathematics instruction goes hand in hand with RCSD’s Learner Framework, ensuring students are prepared to be Empowered Learners, Knowledge Constructors, Effective Collaborators, and Creative Communicators.
RCSD’s summer program allows students to boost academic achievement and confidence in their skill sets, keeping learning minds and curiosity activated through the dog days of summer.