Teens can overcome ‘summer slide’ with MCS resources

MADISON – Teachers and administrators in Madison City Schools want to help their students avoid losing their academic growth during summer. Commonly, the term for that loss is ‘summer slide.’

The school district has developed learning options specifically for middle and high school students. The studies apply “asynchronous learning,” a term for instruction that is not delivered in the same place or scheduled for the same time. (edglossary.org)

Asynchronous learning applies to types of digital and online learning, such as video lessons. Students work independently, and they do not deliver material.

Teenagers can access three recorded lessons that a MCS teacher will post weekly for grades 9-11 in math and English Language Acquisition or ELA. For help with problems, students can contact teachers by email. (madisoncity.k12.al.us)

To begin these studies, the student will log into Schoology and add course codes:

* Sixth-grade courses – ELA with access code CKS7-7KM3-V582N; math with code 978Z-43CR-C7KFT.

* Seventh-grade courses – ELA, VRQD-XFTN-TFF8C; math, SB94-GSJH-BZC9D.

* Eighth-grade courses – ELA, 73MX-XCKV-HBMHB; math, 522B-6PJB-RKKQF. (madisoncity.k12.al.us/domain/142)

To firmly maintain academic skills during summer, students also can learn independently. To continue building math and ELA skills, students can log in with Clever, which is a single sign-on program to access various resources with credentials for @madisoncity.k12.al.us.

For English and Language Arts, on-line resources give activities to improve reading, writing and critical-thinking skills. Reading and writing, even briefly each day, helps a student to relate better to others, express thoughts and feelings, build brain capacity to remember more and relieve stress.

Summer reading assignments are available at mcssummerreading.com. This series includes a webpage for each grade with 2022-2023 requirements for summer.

The pages state books to read the regular, honors and pre-advanced placement level. For example, for English 9 at Bob Jones High School, students in regular and pre-AP study will read “The Hobbit” by J.R.R. Tolkien, while James Clemens High School students for those courses will read “Animal Farm” by George Orwell.

For other subjects, equivalent exercises are suggested. The Alabama State Department of Education has a Summer Math Challenge that will help. For science, links to material from Khan Academy and IXL will sharpen STEM skills.

The options continue with Social Science for sites, such as Icivics and resources for both U.S. History and World History. A section for Social Emotion Learning takes the student to material for emotional ‘good health’ with topics like practicing gratitude, patience, self-regulation, self-management and ‘brain breaks.’ (padlet.com)