Students were involved in project based learning activities that required web-based research and Power Point presentations in the upper grade levels. STEM curriculum was incorporated in all preschool-eighth grade levels. Some examples were: bugs, gardening inventions, bridge construction, and life cycle projects.
Self-paced high school coursework (on-line with direct instruction available, as needed) was available for students who needed credit recovery and for those who wanted to advance their coursework. Comprehensive service delivery was provided for special education, migrant, gifted, accelerated, and credit recovery learners. One of the most innovative features of summer school was the job-embedded professional development.
Since students attended in the morning, all teachers participated in professional development each afternoon, developing curriculum and instructional strategies for the implementation the next day.
Examples of the professional development topics were: Project Based Learning, Increasing Instructional Rigor (higher level questioning techniques), Common Core Math Strategies (differentiating instruction in the common core), Technology Training (Smart Board, Mimeos), and teaching using the Socratic Method.
A comprehensive presentation is being planned by our summer school coordinators for the August 8, 2012 Governing Board meeting and all are welcome to attend.
