Winter break offers learning opportunities for students

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 15, 2011

For more information contact:
Kathy Hanson     
Ames Community Schools           
515.268.6651
kathy.hanson@ames.k12.ia.us

AMES—Some Ames Community School District teachers have tips for students to blend authentic learning opportunities with the activities they enjoy during Winter Break.

Here are some examples:

• Keep a journal to record memories of the holidays—include drawings and photos
• Make and write thank you notes using ordinary materials in creative ways
• Solve math problems when buying gifts, setting the holiday table, and figuring out sleeping arrangements
• Practice skills using maps and GPS systems during trips
• Keep up keyboarding and computer skills to make notes, cards, and write letters
• Practice estimating and simple geometry while wrapping presents
• Read, read, read!
  
  
Ella Franco, 5, listens in the background while Lewis Rosser, 9, (L) and Christopher Carpenter, 6, (R) talk about their plans for Winter break.

Fellows Elementary School Principal Carol Page said Winter break, packed with holiday celebrations, travel plans, and time with extended family, gives students a chance to hone basic skills and learn new ones, to solve problems, and practice the pillars of character.

“It’s an opportunity for students to apply what they’re learning in school to the real world,” she said.

Page had some tips, for example, for Lewis Rosser, 9, a third-grader who will be visiting family in Wisconsin before heading to Colorado for a ski trip.

Lewis said, “It’s seven hours in the car just to get to Wisconsin.”

Lewis can make car-time enriching, Page said, by reading maps, getting a head start on learning the state capitals he’ll be required to master in fourth grade, and measuring distances, for example.

First grade teacher Darla Emery said the car ride also could give Lewis hours of uninterrupted reading. For many students, reading is the most important activity to keep up during breaks from school, she said.

“The holidays give so many opportunities for reading and being read to by your family,” Emery said. “During breaks, you can read anything you’re interested in. You can choose true stories or fiction, or research the places you’re going, like Colorado.”

Not to be outdone because his family is traveling no farther than Marshalltown, Christopher Carpenter, 6, ventured his ideas for keeping sharp during the two-week break from his school routine.

“I’m going to my grandma’s house to help her build and decorate gingerbread houses,” the first grader said. “I’ll have to measure, put them together, and decide what goes onto them.”

Listening to Christopher launch a detailed description of gingerbread house logistics, first grade teacher Christy Franco said she heard all the elements of a story.

“This would be a great entry for the winter journal we’ll be sending home with first grade students,” Franco said. “It’s very motivating for students to know that when they come back from break they can share stories and photos in our ‘author’s chair.’”

Christopher said he expects the break to be fun, but not without some challenges.

“I have a lot of cousins who’ll be sleeping over,” he said.

Page reminded Christopher that he he’s been learning character pillars that will help him respond to family situations.

“Yes,” Christopher said. “Like respect and trustworthiness.”

Page said throughout the school year, teachers include in their instruction a focus on the questions, “why do I need to know this in the real world,” and “ when will I use this?”

“Winter break provides a break in that routine, which we all need,” she said. “But it offers so many ways to for students to apply instruction in authentic settings.”

# # #