JCDS is offering a variety of programs during the summer for students to keep their skills sharp in reading and math. Research has shown that students who practice their skills over the summer break may perform better during the following school year.
As an incentive to complete the summer skills programs, students have the opportunity to accumulate points to apply toward special activities in September. Take a look at the list of prizes and points required. Students should read and fill out the Summer Reading and Math Contract.
Students should participate in all of these activities during the summer:
Parents will need to order the booklet from www.summerskills.com, or call Tri-C Publications at 800-411-8186. The booklets are $19, and shipping is free. Since this a a review booklet, order for the grade just completed. This is a requirement for entering grades 3-6. The Summer Math Skills Sharpener:
The completed Summer Math Skills Sharpener booklet will be worth 300 points toward prizes! Parents must send back a form or note verifying that their student has completed the book(s) when they turn in their reports. The actual skills booklet needs to be turned into the homeroom teacher on August 25, 2010.
Online Math will begin the week of June 7. Each week, a new math question will be published. Students, you should check back each week for a new problem. Remember, you must show ALL work and complete ALL posted problems for the 100 extra points! Turn in all of the completed questions to your homeroom teacher on August 25, 2010.
Rocket Math is a program designed for students entering 2nd and 3rd grades. The goal is to reinforce your math facts. To view the worksheets, click here. You will need to log in with username: rocket and password: parent.
TEMPORARILY UNAVAILABLE WHILE WE TRANSITION STUDENTS INTO THE NEW SCHOOL YEAR.
The Math Facts in a Flash program allows students entering 4th, 5th, and 6th grade to practice their math skills online. Home Connect allows parents to monitor their progress. Your computer must meet the software requirements to run the program.
Need help? Click here for the help page or here for a tutorial video.
To reset your Math Facts in a Flash, email Matt Wilson at mwilson@jcds.com.
Below you will find links to the Top Ten Math Skills to Review over the summer for each grade level. Please look at all the skills and examples.
Top Ten Items - Entering Grade 2
Top Ten Items - Entering Grade 3
Top Ten Items - Entering Grade 4
Top Ten Items - Entering Grade 5
Top Ten Items - Entering Grade 6
Parents will need to order the booklet from www.summerskills.com or call Tri-C Publications at 800-411-8186. The booklets are $19, and shipping is free. Since this a a review booklet, order for the grade just completed. This is optional for all students. The Summer Language Arts Review reviews skills involving reading and writing and provides practice for phonics, punctuation, and capitalization.
Students may earn 300 points by completing the Summer Language Arts Review. Parents must send back a form or note verifying that their student has completed the book(s) when he or she turns in their reports. The actual skills booklets need to be turned into the homeroom teacher on August 25, 2010.
Entering Grade 3 |
7 X 9 = Trouble by Claudia Mills |
Entering Grade 4 |
Sideways Stories from Wayside School by Louis Sachar |
Entering Grade 5 |
Rules by Cynthia Lord |
Entering Grade 6 |
Skull of Truth by Bryce Coville |
This required reading will also count toward your reading contract points.
Here are links to the forms you will need for each book report:
Book Report Forms |
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Summer Reading and Math Cover Sheet (Use for each book, in all grades. Parent signature required.) |
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Book Reports are due August 25.
Online Creative Writing Seminar
Students who have completed 4th through 6th grades will have the opportunity to develop their writing skills using 21st century learning technology.
Hosted by JCDS librarian Amy Kucsak, the Online Creative Writing Seminar will provide lessons in writing, which students will use to create original works individually and in collaboration with others. Since the seminar is online, students can participate from anywhere there is an Internet connection — even if you're on vacation!
The seminar runs from July 12 through August 6, 2010. JCDS students may borrow laptop computers from the school for use in the seminar. The cost is $165. You may download a brochure here. To reserve your space, click here.
Good luck with keeping your skills sharp, and have a wonderful summer! 
posted 6/2/10, revised 6/7/10, revised 8/4/10
