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  • Home
  • DONATE
  • The Distinctive Way
    • Mission and Vision
    • Strategic Plan
    • Distinctive Schools Blog
    • Approach
  • Impact
    • Who We Serve
    • Results
    • Spotlight Distinctive
    • Case Studies
  • TEAM
    • Leadership
    • Board of Directors
    • Staff
    • Shop Distinctive
  • Careers
    • Join Our Team
    • Current Employees
    • Employee Referrals
    • Career Lanes
  • Connect
    • Contact
  • COVID-19 Response
    • Community Care Plan – in English
    • Community Care Plan – en Español
    • Technology Help
    • Health & Wellness Resources

Anytime, Anywhere Learning

Summer 2020 | Anytime, Anywhere Learning!

Keep learning this Summer with #AnytimeAnywhereLearning! You can beat Summer Slide, and have fun doing it! Check out the resources below, and stay engaged over the summer. Use the weekly calendar resources below to keep pushing for success! ​
*Ver los recursos en español
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K-2 | Summer Learning Calendar

Please continue to use your digital programs: Lexia (80 minutes per week) • ST Math (45-60 minutes per week)​ • iReady (DCP/PEC only grades 2-8, 60 minutes per week) • Imagine Learning (60 minutes per week) • IXL math ​
Click the + to see weekly Summer Learning Resources:
Week of Monday, June 15 - Friday, June 19
Reading: Check out these enriching activities to get you ready for next year in English and Spanish

Math: How many different geometric shapes can you name? Draw pictures of geometric shapes and label them. (Here’s a list you can check out.) Look around you inside and outside. Where can you see these geometric shapes in real life? Draw pictures of what you see. How many things are just one geometric shape? How many things are more than one geometric shape? For instance, how many different geometric shapes can you find in a picture of a car? There are circles (wheels), rectangles (doors), triangles (windows), etc. 

SEL: Get up and get moving! Try to cross off as many items off of this SEL scavenger hunt.
Week of Monday, June 22 - Friday, June 26
Reading: Use your weekly shopping trip as an opportunity to develop reading and writing skills. What you will need: Paper and pencils, Newspaper ads, & Supermarket coupons. As you make out your grocery shopping list, give your child a sheet of paper and read the items to him or her. If they ask for spelling help, write the words correctly for them to copy or spell the words aloud as your child writes them. Ask your child to look through the newspaper ads to find the prices of as many items as possible. Your child can write these prices on the list and then look through your coupons to select the ones you can use. Take your child to the supermarket and ask them to read each item to you as you shop.

Math: Ladybirds in the Garden is a fun activity to figure out the different possibilities for counting spots on 7-spot and 4-spot ladybirds. How many combinations of ladybirds make 16 spots? 14 spots? To find out more about ladybirds, check out this website. Then, be on the lookout! Maybe you will see some this summer!

SEL: Together with your family, review the questions below and think about what you’d like to share. Then, record a video together for families across the country! (Be sure to get permission from your parents first!)
  • What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?
  • What’s the best part of working and learning from home?
  • What’s a fun activity you’ve done together?
  • What advice do you have for other families?
How to Contribute: 1. Visit www.flipgrid.com/movethisworld 2. Use the code Wecanmovethisworld (password is case-sensitive) to access the grid. 3. Record & share your advice for families! 4. Watch and respond to other families across the country. ​
Week of Monday, June 29 - Friday, July 3
Reading: Take time this week to free write- a time to write about whatever you would like. Having trouble thinking of something to write about? Try one of these prompts to get your creative juices flowing. 

Math: Here's a math trick to try. Once you get pretty good at it, try it on your friends and family! 
  • Think of one of the numbers from 1 to 9.
  • Add 9 to your number.
  • Add the digits of your answer together. 
What is your new number? What do you notice? Try the trick again with a new starting number. What do you notice now? Can you explain why this works? 

SEL: Try this activity as a family- 3 Minutes of Happiness. Take time to share and reflect together. ​
​Week of Monday, July 6 - Friday, July 10
Reading: Find reading activities in these robust packets. Search for accompanying lessons on the YouTube channel to help guide you. Kindergarten | First Grade | Second Grade

Math: How many different ways can you represent your age? When it’s your birthday, maybe you have a cake with a number on it showing everyone how old you are! Maybe when people ask how old you are, you hold up a certain number of fingers. Maybe someone gives you a card or makes you a sign with your age on it. There are so many more ways to represent your age! If you are 8 years old, you can represent 8 by saying or writing 6+2, and 12-4, and 2+2+2+2, and 2+3+4-1….the possibilities are endless. See how many ways you can come up with! Keep adding ways to represent your age each day for the whole week. Can you come up with more than 20 ways….50 ways….100 ways??????

SEL: Read Breathe Like a Bear and find a new breathing strategy to use. Which one is your favorite? Which one could you teach someone? Can you think of your own breathing strategy you could make up?

​
​Week of Monday, July 13 - Friday, July 17
Reading: Children love to be creative when it comes to drawing, and illustrations add visual imagery to stories. What you'll need: Drawing paper, Pens and pencils, & markers or crayons. Find a fable, fairy tale, or other short story for your child to read. Then ask your child to illustrate a part of the story they like best or describe a favorite character. Have the child dictate or write a few sentences that tell about this picture. To extend the activity, have your child draw and/or write as if their favorite character lived in a place different from where they live in the story. For example, how might the story of the Three Little Bears be different if they lived in Chicago or Detroit? 

Math: Counting money is a very important skill to have. Cut out some circles from paper and label them quarter, dime, nickel, and penny. (Or maybe you can ask an adult for real coins!) Make at least 5 of each “coin” and label them. On the back, write how many cents each coin is worth. Then ask an adult to tell you an amount of money between 1 cent and 2 dollars. See if you can use your coins to make that amount. See how many ways you can make the same amount. For example, if the amount is 47 cents, you can use 4 dimes, 1 nickel and 2 pennies. You can also use 1 quarter, 2 dimes, and 2 pennies. You can also use 1 quarter, 1 dime, 2 nickels, and 2 pennies. Try it!!

SEL: Strengthen your superpower of calm with four mindful games: “Bulldog Finds His Quiet Place,” “Butterfly Body Scan,” “Rock-a-bye” and “Imaginary Hugs & Peaceful Place” all in this Mindfulness Practice. 
​Week of Monday, July 20 - Friday, July 24
Reading: Together with your child, think of the many words that you might find on a walk outside. Examples include STOP, EXIT, open, closed, bank, library. Using this bingo template or one you draw on your own, randomly add these words, one at a time, to your bingo board. Then, go on a walk with your bingo board and cross off all of the words you find. Can you get bingo?

Math: What grows faster-a tomato plant or a bean plant? Use the information in the Tomato and Bean problem. See if you can figure it out! Once you figure it out, maybe you might want to eat a tomato or a bean!

SEL: Read this comic to find out how Captain Compassion helps kids combat bullying!
​Week of Monday, July 27 - Friday, July 31
Reading: As a family, watch NBC News’ Kids’ Edition to watch and discuss current events. Afterwards, reflect on what you saw. What were some of the problems that were shared? Who are the people helping others? How might you as a family contribute to positive change? Who can you write to to share your perspective?

Math: Arrange the digits 1-6 to make three 3-digit numbers. Add a three digit number that you created with another one you made using the other digits. See how close you can get to 1000. Challenge someone in your home to see who can get the closest!

SEL: Feeling anxious is a normal emotion and you can learn a strategy to take control and manage those strong feelings. Check out GoNoodle’s Empower Tool for Anxiety
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3-5 | Summer Learning Calendar

Please continue to use your digital programs: Lexia (80 minutes per week) • ST Math (45-60 minutes per week) • iReady (DCP/PEC only grades 2-8, 60 minutes per week) • Imagine Learning (60 minutes per week) • IXL math 
Click the + to see weekly Summer Learning Resources:
Week of Monday, June 15 - Friday, June 19
Reading: Check out this Reading Sampler - a sample of 5 books: Amal Unbound, The Bridge Home, Each Tiny Spark, Harbor Me, and Shouting at the Rain. Each sampling is followed by some reflections questions. Like the sampling and want the whole course? Find the book at your local library! Chicago Public Library and Detroit Public Library. Library still closed? Check out an ebook instead! 

Math: Make a math term art creation! Use as many pictures as you can from this geometry terms list to create a picture. You can draw a design, a picture of a house or apartment, a landscape, a castle….whatever you’d like. See how many pictures of the terms you can use in your drawing. Give yourself 1 point each time you use something from the list! Try this a few times and see if you can beat your previous point total each time. 

SEL: Complete this empathy journal and consider what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes.
Week of Monday, June 22 - Friday, June 26
Reading:Check out Penguin Books’ Read Write Draw from Home YouTube channel where you can find dozens of videos with authors and illustrators discussing their books, their inspiration and the writing/artistic process. 

Math: Practice mental math addition! See if you can go through this maze, adding each number along the way, so your pathway equals exactly 100! For an extra challenge, try getting the smallest sum and the largest sum possible. Challenge your family members!

SEL: Get up and get moving! Try to cross off as many items off of this SEL scavenger hunt.
Week of Monday, June 29 - Friday, July 3
Reading: Check out these enriching activities to get you ready for next year in English and Spanish

Math: Get to Zero is a game that helps you practice your 3-digit subtraction but also requires some strategy--because you need to get to exactly zero before your opponent does. Each player will need a piece of paper and something to write with. You will also need either a dice OR playing cards (numbers 1-6), OR you can make your own cards by cutting a piece of paper into 18 small cards and labeling each card with a number 1-6. (You should end up with three cards with a 1, three cards with a 2, etc.) Each player starts out with the number 999. Player 1 rolls the dice three times or picks 3 cards and forms a 3-digit number. Then subtracts that number from 999. (Check each other’s math to be sure it is correct.) Players take turns doing the same, each time strategically arranging their three digits to try to get to zero in the least number of turns. As you get closer to zero, the task becomes more difficult. If someone rolls or draws 3-digits that, no matter how they are arranged, can’t be subtracted from the total, that player loses their turn. First one to have exactly zero is the winner! 

SEL: This week, try practicing self compassion. Use this journal to guide you. Looking for more? Try this Kindness Challenge and challenge a friend or family member to find the good- it’s a challenge where everyone wins!
​Week of Monday, July 6 - Friday, July 10
Reading: Read along to James and the Giant Peach with Taika and Friends. 

Math: What’s a curious number? Can you make a curious number? Check out this fun Curious Number challenge and see if you can follow the directions to make a curious number using the digits 1, 2, and 3. Then add 4….and then 5….and then keep going and going and going!

SEL: Find a friend or family member and play strengths bingo where you name strengths that you have within yourself. Check out these strengths posters too!
​Week of Monday, July 13 - Friday, July 17
Reading: Find reading activities in these robust packets. Search for accompanying lessons on the YouTube channel to help guide you. Third Grade | Fourth Grade | Fifth Grade

Math: Here’s a fun game that has actually been around for hundreds of years. It’s called NIM-7. All you need is 7 pennies (or other small objects) and someone to play with. Start with 7 pennies in a group. Decide who will go first. Players will alternate by taking either one or two pennies each turn. The player who has the last turn is the loser. Can you figure out a strategy so that you will always win? Can you add more pennies to the game and still win every time? What happens if you add a third person to the game? Have fun!!

SEL: Together with your family, review the questions below and think about what you’d like to share. Then, record a video together for families across the country! (Be sure to get permission from your parents first!)
  • What’s the biggest challenge you’ve faced?
  • What’s the best part of working and learning from home?
  • What’s a fun activity you’ve done together?
  • What advice do you have for other families?
How to Contribute: 1. Visit www.flipgrid.com/movethisworld 2. Use the code Wecanmovethisworld (password is case-sensitive) to access the grid. 3. Record & share your advice for families! 4. Watch and respond to other families across the country.
​Week of Monday, July 20 - Friday, July 24
Reading: Take time this week to free write- a time to write about whatever you would like. Having trouble thinking of something to write about? Try one of these prompts to get your creative juices flowing. 

Math: Do you know what a Cryptarithm is? No, it’s not the latest dance!  A Cryptarithm is a mathematical puzzle where the digits in a sum have been replaced by letters. It’s sort of like breaking a code--algebraically! Try these Cryptarithms!

SEL: Feeling anxious? Try embodied relaxation to calm nerves and refocus your mind and body. Practice makes perfect, so find time each day for mindfulness. (en espanol)
​Week of Monday, July 27 - Friday, July 31
Reading: Find a fable, fairy tale, or other short story to read. Then, think about what it might be like if your favorite character from the story lived in a place different from where they live in the story. For example, how might the story of the Three Little Bears be different if they lived in Chicago or Detroit? Draw and/or write a new version of the story, given the new setting. 

Math: Can you do multiplication with numbers? How about doing multiplication with shapes? Here’s another kind of code just like you did last week called Shape Products. See if you can break the code…this time with multiplication!

SEL: At school, we practice a lot of strategies to help manage big feelings. Use this resource to perhaps learn a new one, and to help teach your favorite strategy to a friend or family member at home. (en espanol) ​
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6-8 | Summer Learning Calendar

Please continue to use your digital programs:  iReady (MI only grades 2-8, 60 minutes per week) • Imagine Learning (60 minutes per week) • IXL math 
Click the + to see weekly Summer Learning Resources:
Week of Monday, June 15 - Friday, June 19
Reading: Check out Penguin Books’ Read Write Draw from Home YouTube channel where you can find dozens of videos with authors and illustrators discussing their books, their inspiration and the writing/artistic process. 

Math: Make a design by drawing a shape inside a shape and connecting the midpoints of each side. Check out this challenge called Shaping It. See how many shapes you can make inside your original shape!! If you are able, add color to make some very cool designs. Challenge yourself to create a picture or design using as many geometric shapes as you can! Take a picture and share it with your classmates. Challenge them to see who can get the most shapes, smallest shapes, and the most beautiful designs!

SEL: Complete this empathy journal and consider what it’s like to walk in someone else’s shoes. ​
Week of Monday, June 22 - Friday, June 26
Reading: Check out these enriching activities to get you ready for next year in English and Spanish

Math: Here’s a math task that will puzzle your friends and family...and maybe even you. Click on Leg’s Eleven and see if you can figure out why this seems to work every time. Try a 3-digit, 5-digit, and even 20-digit number to see if you can figure out the mathematics behind it!!

SEL: At school, we practice a lot of strategies to help manage big feelings. Use this resource to perhaps learn a new one, and to help teach your favorite strategy to a friend or family member at home. (en espanol)
Week of Monday, June 29 - Friday, July 3
Reading: Find reading activities in these robust packets. Search for accompanying lessons on the YouTube channel to help guide you. Sixth Grade | Seventh Grade | Eighth Grade 

Math: Math is all about patterns. See if you can find patterns in this activity called Painted Cubes. You can use mental math, try your hand at drawing, and/or use some blocks to physically build these models. S-T-R-E-T-C-H your mind as you think in the abstract! Think of similar cases and explore!

SEL: This week, try practicing self compassion. Use this journal to guide you. Looking for more? Try this Kindness Challenge and challenge a friend or family member to find the good- it’s a challenge where everyone wins!
​Week of Monday, July 6 - Friday, July 10
Reading: Imagine that social media existed throughout history. How would historical figures have talked to each other? Who would they be friends with> What would their favorite hashtags be? In this activity, SEL in History, use your SEL, social studies and literacy skills to create a social media account for a famous historical figure. (en espanol) 

Math: Do you have Circle Fever? Don’t worry, it’s harmless--but it is contagious! Each shape of circles is growing. How? Where do you see the new circles being added as the shape grows? What’s the pattern you see? Ask others to tell you where they see the pattern growing. Where do they see the new circles being added? You will be very surprised at all the different answers you will get from others! There are always multiple ways to explore and solve a problem!!

SEL: Black to Yoga is offering free Zoom yoga classes everyday of the week! Take a look at the schedule and give it a try! Keep in mind, this yoga studio is based in Oakland, California, so you will have to adjust the start time of each class to fit your time zone. ​
​Week of Monday, July 13 - Friday, July 17
Reading: There’s no denying it- there is a lot happening in the news these days, and it’s especially important for young people to know what’s going on. Check out CNN10 - specially designed 10 minute news segments geared towards students. Afterwards, write your own editorial, using facts from the news reports. What another idea? Find and read an editorial and identify & write down all the facts and all the opinions - what do you notice? How can editorials help social causes? How can they sometimes hurt them? 

Math: Imagine your family agreed to give you some pocket money every day for a month! You can choose from the following options:
  1. $10 every day. 
  2. $3 on the first day, $3.50 on the second, $4 on the third, and so on, increasing by $0.50 per day
  3. $1 on the first day, $2 on the second, $4 on the third, and so on, doubling each day.
Without doing any working out, which one would you choose, and why?
In a month with 31 days, how much money would you have by the end of the month, under each system? You may wish to explore using a spreadsheet and/or calculator.
Here are some questions you might also like to consider:
In which months would option 1 be better than option 2?
If your family stopped your pocket money on day 8, which option would give you the most?
On which day of the month does option 3 become the most profitable?
If you choose option 3, how many days would it be before you became a millionaire?

SEL: Social Emotional Learning isn’t just about feelings, it’s also about self-management and responsible decision making. One of the biggest decisions you will make for yourself is selecting a career. The key to selecting a career that you enjoy is finding one that plays to your interests. Take this interest survey and see what careers play to your interests. When you’ve finished with the survey, check out your RIASEC results for an easy visual representation of your interests and characteristics people like yourself have. 
​Week of Monday, July 20 - Friday, July 24
Reading: Take time this week to free write- a time to write about whatever you would like. Having trouble thinking of something to write about? Try one of these prompts to get your creative juices flowing. 

Math: Do you know what a Cryptarithm is? No, it’s not the latest dance!  A Cryptarithm is a mathematical puzzle where the digits in a sum have been replaced by letters. It’s sort of like breaking a code--algebraically! Try these Cryptarithms!

SEL: Have you ever felt frustrated by your work in class? Productive struggle is when students face problems they don't immediately know how to solve which leads to better learning, and the reason is due to a white substance in your brain called myelin. Learn more about the neuroscience behind productive struggle and ways teachers help to build productive struggle into their lessons for your benefit!
​Week of Monday, July 27 - Friday, July 31
Reading: The year 2020 marks another year for the census- a counting of every person in America, every 10 years. Check out this activity to learn more about where the Census came from and how the data is used. Here is your accompanying student activity.

Math: Here’s a fun game that has actually been around for hundreds of years. It’s called NIM-7. All you need is 7 pennies (or other small objects) and someone to play with. Start with 7 pennies in a group. Decide who will go first. Players will alternate by taking either one or two pennies each turn. The player who has the last turn is the loser. Can you figure out a strategy so that you will always win? Can you add more pennies to the game and still win every time? What happens if you add a third person to the game? Have fun!!

SEL: Social Emotional Learning is also about social awareness and relationship skills. Build these skills of yours by writing a poem from someone else’s perspective. Choose someone you don’t know- for example the bus driver, cashier at the store, or crossing guard. This helps you to understand that you don’t need to be best friends with someone to empathize with them. As you reflect on your poem, did you learn anything about yourself in the process?
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