Collective brilliance!

[ericarfield]

Hi everyone,

I can't believe another academic year is almost over!  I hope you aren't all too exhausted :)

Quite a few families have asked us what they can do this summer in order to maintain or develop their children's level of English. Given that two heads are better than one,  we thought we'd share our ideas and ask if any of you had ideas you would be happy to share too.  

Writing for a purpose

• A letter to my future self - Get the child to write a letter to their future self during the first week of the summer holiday.  The idea is that they write about what they think they will do over the six weeks.  They read the letter at the end of the summer break.
• Keep a summer journal - what have I done, how did I feel etc.
• A letter to my new teacher - Get the child to write to thier new teacher and share what they enjoy, what they are great at, what they are looking forward to etc.
• A letter to family or friends - Encourage the child to write to family or family friends.  This could be done via email or through the post.

Language rich activities

• Cultural capital visits - visit free local venues such as museums.  Talk about what you see in home language and English
• HAF - where a child qualifies,  sign them up for the Holiday Activation Fund activities.  These offer all sorts of learning and enjoyment opportunities and different contexts for children to use English.

• (110) Art for Kids Hub - YouTube  This is an American YouYube channel which guides children through short art projects.  We have found it really useful in terms of supporting children to listen to instructions, supported with a clear visual of what they have to do.  The follow the art tutorial but can pause, rewind etc.  There are pre-school art projects, which do look wonderful, and all include a huge amount of English language support around colour, shape, instructional language etc.  To participate a child needs access to a device, paper, pencil, coloured pens.  Most libraries will support this.

Reading

• Marvellous Makers - sign up for the summer reading challenge, available through local libraries.
  
• Help Your Child Learn to Read | Free Trial – Reading Eggs - parents can sign up for a free 30 day trail.  This app has some wonderful books, lots of lovely visuals and comprehension questions.  (parents have been very positive about this)
  
• Community reading - when you are out and about read what you come across in your community

We'd love to draw on the collective brilliance of the group if you have any ideas you promote in your school or LA.

All the best,

Erica