Summer Blast is a summer instructional and enrichment program focused on early intervention (K-2). In 2016, 60 students received 2 weeks of Academic Instruction and Enrichment. Major thank yous to our community partners for making our experience so rewarding: LTCC, Lake Tahoe Inversion Gym, SLT Ice Arena, and Heavenly Epic Discovery Program. Our students also experienced amazing local hikes from Eagle Falls, Nevada Beach, Pope Beach, High Meadows to Cold Creek and High Meadows to Trout Creek.
Mark your calendars, our 2017 Summer Blast will take place between July 31 and August 18, 2017.
Summer
BLAST Instructional Program
Sierra
House Mountain Academy, May 2016
Two compilations of research review by the RAND Corporation were
sourced to develop best practices for successful summer school learning
programs. The RAND Corporation is a nonprofit institution that helps improve
policy and decision-making through research and analysis.
· Augustine, Catherine H., et. Al. “Getting to Work on Summer
Learning: Recommended Practices for Success”, RAND Summer Learning Series,
2013.
· McCombs, Jennifer Sloan, et. Al. “Making Summer Count: How
Summer Programs Can Boost Children’s Learning”, RAND Education, 2011
Purpose/Mission/Guiding Principles
·
“The primary source of the achievement gap is the summer break.
By grade nine approximately two-thirds of the reading achievement gap could be
linked to the student’s first four summers of schooling (or lack of
schooling-R.G.) Summer attributed to 80% of the achievement gap that existed at
grade six (Augustine et.al., 2011).
·
The greatest influence on student learning is teacher
instruction. (McCombs et. al., 2013) Obviously quality teacher instruction is
paramount.
·
An intensive literacy based summer school program growth is
greater than any other point during the year. (Augustine et.al., 2011)
Components of Quality Summer Learning Programs
· Research based instructional programs
· Smaller groups and classes
· Individualized and differentiated instruction
· High quality instruction-prof dev, GLAD, teacher support through
coaching
· Instructional programs
o Align with school year
curriculum (review or preview years content)
o Thematic in nature
(GLAD, growing domes, science, math)
o Daily skills and
activities build upon each other through content
o Routines allow for
maximum time on task
o Resources available and
instructionally intensive
o Inclusion of
enrichment activities-promotes attendance and creating a summer school culture
o Targeted instruction
to small groups (guided reading, SIPPS, SUTW)
o Beyond “drill and
kill”-allows for students to “feel” unique and propel them in their learning
·