Summer Learning Toolkit
Academics & Enrichment
Students will spend the majority of their time in either academic or enrichment programming, so selecting the right curricula and partners is essential to the overall success of the program. RAND found that adopting a common written curriculum for English language arts and mathematics that matches students’ academic needs and abilities is necessary for high-quality instruction. They also found that quality enrichment was key to creating fun and enjoyable days for students. High-quality enrichment classes included activities that were organized, engaging and allowed for the majority of students to actively participate for the duration of the class period. For both academics and enrichment, clear lesson plans with sequenced activities help to ensure that all students are engaged and precious instructional time is spent as intended.
Summer Dreamers Academy provides teachers with the curriculum when they’re hired, which means that our internal curriculum and instruction teams are making modifications and developing pacing guides during the winter months.
— James Doyle, Executive Director of Higher Achievement Pittsburgh and former Coordinator of After-School Programs, Pittsburgh Public Schools
Example Milestones for Academics and Enrichment
Modifying curricula to meet student needs
While RAND found that having a standard curriculum was important, whether you choose to select something new or modify an existing curriculum may depend on your program’s goals, existing resources and program population.
- Begin with the end in mind: First identify the target population of students to be served and your goals for their growth over the summer.
- Be realistic about time: Consider how much instructional time you have in a day and over the course of the summer. Also factor in how much time will be needed for preprogram training, practice and planning with the curriculum.
Related Resources
Tip Sheet - Selecting and Modifying Summer Curricula
Guidance to set a direction for your program’s curriculum
Tip Sheet - Using Data to Strategically Group Students
Strategies to inform lesson plans and flexible groupings
Building partnerships for high-quality enrichment
Offering a range of fun activities is considered an effective strategy for maximizing summer-program participation. Typically, school districts look to community-based partners for expertise in activities like sports, arts, design and cooking. It’s important to ensure these partners are equipped to carry out the program’s mission.
- Use the RFP wisely: Set clear requirements and expectations to recruit providers that best fit your mission. Best practices include keeping enrichment class sizes small and hiring enrichment instructors with relevant content knowledge.
- Get on the same page: Use a Memorandum of Understanding to clearly delineate roles and responsibilities between the district and its partners.
Related Resources
Sample - Pittsburgh Summer Enrichment Selection
Resources to solicit and review enrichment provider proposals
Sample - Boston Summer Enrichment MOU
Describes the partner’s role in comanaging the design, administration and delivery of the program
Minimizing loss of instructional time
Simply being in a classroom over the summer is not enough. To reap benefits, young people must be engaged in meaningful learning that supports their achievement. Without careful planning and delivery, precious time for learning can often be lost during transitions, at the beginning and end of classes and for special events and trips. Adults in the program must be prepared to protect and maximize time for academic learning.
- Make it a priority: Create a master schedule with adequate time for transitions, academic classes in continuous blocks and 3-4 hours per day for academics.
- Keep logistics smooth: Ensure buses, meals and supplies are delivered on time.
- Prepare staff: Provide instructors with strategies to quickly launch and wrap-up lessons, manage independent practice time and re-energize students during the afternoon slump.
Related Resources
Getting to Work on Summer Learning 2nd edition
Time on Task chapter
For ideas on how to use pre-service training to help teachers and staff maximize instructional time, visit the Tip Sheet – Planning High-Quality Professional Development within the Staffing and Professional Development section of the Toolkit.
Additional Academic & Enrichment Resources
The Toolkit includes an example site schedule, a sample data report for participating sites, and the process to approve district funding requests for summer learning programs.
Related Resources
Tool - Summer Planning Calendar
Comprehensive to-do list by month and topic paired with expert guidance
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