Tag Archive for: education

Many people may think solely of younger ones when it comes to focusing on learning gains and healthy habits over the summer. While it is valuable for the younger youth, we can’t forget about tweens and teens. It is important to keep all students of all ages learning over the summer. At the Learning Resource Center, we also offer summer programs for older youth that include SAT Test Preparation, ACT Test Preparation, College Success Planning, Study Habits of Successful Students, and One-to-One Tutoring. In addition to our summer learning opportunities, check out these fantastic tips below provided by the National Summer Learning Association to help keep the tweens and teens in your life learning this season.

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Be sure to view our other blogs with tips from the National Learning Association:

Summer Learning Ideas for the Home

Keep Kids Active and Healthy During the Summer

Get the “competitive edge” with college success planning and the Learning Resource Center. High school students in grades 9-12 should consider this course to not only gain the skills needed for college, but to ensure that they are well-equipped for the next major step of their lives.
 
Get the Competitive Edge…College Success Planning provides participants with study skills and motivational strategies preparing them to become more effective learners before advancing to college.
 
Students who attend will learn and practice time-tested, effective and efficient study strategies, as well as concrete techniques to get the competitive edge necessary for college. The course provides small classes with activity-oriented lessons to help students develop the study habits of successful students.
 
This course also offers added benefits of quality instruction from certified instructors and personalized Learning Styles Inventories to help each student succeed.
 
The topics that will be covered include: test-taking, building memory, reading and note-taking with a purpose, time management, and successful transitions in addition to other crucial study skills. All of these skills are not only essential for college, but are both useful before and after college, as well.
 
Get the Competitive Edge…College Success Planning will take place Monday, July 13-Friday, July 17, 2015 from 1:00-3:00 p.m. at the Learning Resource Center located at 1628 South Florida Avenue in Lakeland. The cost of the program is $145.00. Be sure to ask about our sliding fee scales based on gross family income.
 

Registration

Register online at lrcpolk.com/programs/college-success-planning or by calling LRC at 863-688-9477 to reserve your place and start your journey on the path to success!

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All children have potential. Not all children have opportunity.

Small and wiry, 5-year old Brandon raced from one room to another on his first morning of summer camp. It quickly became evident that this spirited young boy had difficulty following directions and sitting still to focus was almost impossible. He was unsure of his letters, sounds, shapes and numbers and this made it even more difficult to focus and participate in learning games. Early assessments showed that both his receptive vocabulary (words familiar and understood when heard) and his expressive vocabulary (words chosen to communicate) were below expectations for his age. Brandon was also hesitant to associate with the other campers and did not want to share.
 
Over the next few weeks, Brandon would have many challenges to overcome. The four learning centers gave him plenty of opportunities to practice new and previously learned skills. Camp Instructors worked with him individually to improve his recognition of shapes, improve his vocabulary skills and gave him the leadership responsibility of line leader with clear instructions of his duties.  Brandon took his task seriously and excelled. As Camp progressed, it was noted that Brandon was developing friendships, often actually sitting and sharing a book with another child while waiting for Parent pick-up. Brandon’s end-of-camp assessment showed that he had grown more than eight months in working vocabulary, a significant gain for a 5-year old.
 
And, the success has held for Brandon. Wearing a huge smile, his mom proudly shared a recent kindergarten report card which clearly indicated Brandon’s grade level achievement with all As and Bs.  School Readiness is a critical factor in a student’s success.  Children who start kindergarten with age-appropriate language skills, learn to read, pass their 3rd Grade Standardized Tests and are more likely to graduate high school.
 
Brandon attended LRC’s Camp READY!, a summer learning program for rising and repeating kindergartners.
 
This article can be found at UWCF.org where it was originally published. Photo credit: United Way of Central Florida
 
United Way of Central Florida and the Learning Resource Center work together in a valued partnership to produce lasting change through education and help all students maximize their learning potential.

Did you know that children lose up to two months of essential math and reading skills during the summer months? Here at the Learning Resource Center, we offer quality summer learning opportunities so that your child won’t lose the skills he or she worked hard at in school and to help to #KeepKidsLearning. If your child can’t join us at one of our summer programs, or even if they can, check out these great learning ideas below to use at home and in the community provided by the National Summer Learning Association.

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In the month of May, Learning Resource Center students received 1,040 hours of tutoring bringing the Year-To-Date Total to 12,069 hours. New and ongoing students tutored during the month of May equaled 255 students, with the Year-to-Date Total at 800 students.
May 2015 Tutoring Hours Infographic (1)

 

Thanks to all of our tutors and students for your time, efforts, and hard work. It’s paying off!

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Menelik Graham exemplifies the servant leadership qualities embodied in the legacy of the man for whom his scholarship is named.
 
Menelik is the Learning Resource Center’s 2015 Mike Grady Scholarship winner.  A junior at Auburndale High School, Menelik is currently ranked number one in his class with a 4.64 GPA, captains the AHS Soccer Team, and holds executive board positions in the Interact and National Honor Society campus organizations. Sarah Cook, College & Career Advisor, affirms that “Menelik demonstrates integrity, leadership, and academic excellence through his school work and the organizations that he has committed to making a difference.
 
The Mike Grady Scholarship is awarded annually to a high school student who, in an essay, expresses the need for financial aid in order to participate in LRC’s SAT or ACT Preparation Course, valued at $440. The judges for the scholarship were impressed with his clarity of goals and belief in the unlimited powered that the opportunity for learning can produce. The late Mike Grady was a champion for education and students in Polk County.  He had a strong commitment to LRC and helped provide academic assistance to many families in the community.
 
The Learning Resource Center of Polk County, Inc. helps students maximize their learning potential by providing personalized educational programs, consultative services for parents and programs to accommodate community needs.

The Camp READY! sites located in Frostproof (at Frostproof Church of God) and Lake Wales (at First United Methodist Church) opened their doors to excited rising and struggling kindergartners this week. Through creative experential activities, five- and six-year-olds express, practice, investigate, and create. Both Camps are funded with LRC’s United Way of Central Florida allocation.
 
This successful summer program is designed to prepare both rising and repeating kindergartners for academic success through hands-on, experiential learning centers featuring art, music and movement, cooking, and reading readiness centers. Camp READY! builds pre-reading skills while also providing a safety net to allow children more time to continue motor, social and cognitive development. On average, Camp READY! students who attend the full program demonstrate learning gains of SEVEN months in vocabulary development from pre- to post-assessment. The cost of Camp READY! is $25.00. For families with documented financial need, scholarships are available.
 
For more on Camp READY! and to find other camp sites throughout Polk County, please visit our blogs Camp READY! Prepares Kindergartners for Achievement and Eight Fun Facts About Camp READY!.

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1. Camp READY! is a school readiness program for rising and repeating kindergarten students, and provides hands-on, multi-sensory learning experiences in a fun, engaging format.

 

2. On average, Camp READY! students who attend the full program demonstrate learning gains of SEVEN months in vocabulary development from pre- to post-assessment.

 

3. Camp READY! has grown from one site in 2006 to nine sites in 2015 serving students at locations in North and South Lakeland, Ft. Meade, Haines City, Bartow Winter Haven, Lake Wales, Frostproof, and Poinciana.

 

4. Camp READY!’s teachers are experienced educators, with most holding early learning credentials.
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5. Camp READY! is funded by partnerships between United Way of Central Florida, GiveWell Community Foundation, Disney Grants, and Learning Resource Center. LRC is always open to forging new partnerships in order to make Camp READY! available to even more students.

 

6. It costs approximately $22,000 to provide a successful camp. This figure includes all supplies, instructional materials, snacks, assessments, salaries, utilities/equipment, and marketing.  Nearly ONE THIRD of this cost is donated to the program in the form of community partnerships through in-kind goods and/or services.

 

7. Each Camp READY! site can accommodate up to 50 students. LRC is ready to serve as many as 500 of Polk County’s rising kindergartners this summer.
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8. In recent years, LRC has added several exciting components to Camp READY!

  • In 2014, collaboration with Polk Museum of Art provided robust, enhanced fine arts lessons, exposing children to arts concepts through thematic lessons that teach process thinking.
  • Camp READY!’s Cooking Center also received a makeover in 2014. Cooking lessons  are now lower in sugar and provide healthy snacks, opening the door to conversations about health and nutrition.
  • Through partnership with the Agriculture and Labor Program (ALPI), breakfast and lunch are provided to students at the Frostproof site.
  • Partnerships with childcare centers and Boys and Girls Clubs provided transportation to and from Camp READY!
  • The Junior League of Greater Lakeland partnership provided school supplies to all Camp READY! campers in 2012, 2013, and 2014.

 

Register your kindergartner for one of this summer’s Camp READY! sites today and find more information on the program at lrcpolk.com/programs/camp-ready/.

 

We are inviting all elementary-level students, grades K-5, to join us this summer for our Super Summer Success program. June and July are the perfect opportunities for students to brush up on skills and develop new ones before the next school year begins. Super Summer Success offers students a fun way to gain those important skills in reading and math. This Learning Resource Center program builds confident, successful students through time-tested best practices!

 

Students who have completed grades K, 1, 2, 3, 4, or 5 are invited to attend on June 15-July 9, 2015 from 8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m. at Highland City Elementary. Students who attend will enjoy high-interest, hands-on lessons, explore math through writing and drawing, engage in cooking and creative arts projects, and participate in read-and-respond activities. Students will also create Make-and-Take Projects on key ideas, reinforce skills through interaction and review, and savor brain-healthy snacks to keep their energy up.

 

The cost to attend is $395.00. Fee reduction is available based on gross annual household income. Be sure to ask about our sliding fees scale. To register, call 863-688-9477 or download the brochure when you click: 2015 Super Summer Success Brochure.

 

LRC’s commitment to your child’s success ensures that your student will receive quality instruction from certified, highly qualified teachers in a small group setting of no more than 10 students per class. You will be glad your child participated in this rewarding experience, and we are sure he or she will be, too!

 

Do you have a little one who will be entering kindergarten in August 2015? Have you heard of Camp READY!, the exciting tuition-free, school-readiness program for rising and repeating kindergarten students? Your young learner will be equipped with the skills necessary for kindergarten after participating in this summer’s Camp READY! program.

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You may be wondering, “What is Camp READY!, and what does it involve?”

 

This successful summer program is designed to prepare both rising and repeating kindergartners for academic success. This is done through hands-on, experiential learning centers featuring art, music and movement, cooking, and reading readiness centers. Camp READY! builds pre-reading skills while also providing a safety net to allow children more time to continue motor, social and cognitive development.

 

If you are still wondering why to choose Camp READY!, on average, LRC’s Camp READY! students demonstrate growth of seven months from pre- to post-assessment. Let’s not forget that Camp READY! is a place where students experience learning that is fun! Highly-qualified teachers will lead the exciting parade of rich language-laden lessons with movement and music, color and art, and taste and cooking, while providing learning opportunities for parent involvement at camp and at home.

 

Here’s how it works.

 

Choose from one of the nine camp locations throughout Polk County:

  • Camp READY! Frostproof (Frostproof Church of God) June 15-July 10
  • Camp READY! Lake Wales (First United Methodist Church) June 15-July 10
  • Camp READY! Ft. Meade (Help of Ft. Meade – Gause/Riverside) June 29-July 24
  • Camp READY! Winter Haven (Winter Haven PEP Center) June 29-July 24
  • Camp READY! Haines City (New Horizon Church) June 29-July 24
  • Camp READY! North Lakeland (Family Fundamentals) July 6-July 31
  • Camp READY! South Lakeland (St. David’s Episcopal Church) July 6-July 31
  • Camp READY! Bartow (Asbury United Methodist Church) July 6-July 31
  • Camp READY! Poinciana (Loughman Oaks Elementary) July 7-August 4 (8:00 a.m.-12:00 p.m., Monday-Thursday)

 

Each camp will take place Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m. for four weeks during the summer (except Loughman Oaks, which is Monday-Thursday from 8:30 a.m.-12:00 p.m.). The dates vary per location, so be sure to take a look at the dates listed beside the locations above.

 

The cost of Camp READY! is $25.00. For families with documented financial need, scholarships are available. Register today to reserve your child’s place in this kindergarten-success program.

 

To register, please click on the location of your choice above, download the brochure here or visit our Camp READY! homepage at lrcpolk.com/programs/camp-ready.