Learning & Loving It is a series featuring simple, yet fun educational activities for home learning and virtual, interactive tutoring.

LRC Learning and Loving It
 

Rainbow Retelling Bracelet

This colorful bracelet will help a child retell the story they just listened to or read and can be used by tutors, teachers and parents. (Adapted from Growing Book by Book)
 

Supplies: String or plastic lacing, 6 stringing beads (red, orange, yellow green, blue, purple would work best)  
optional- a strip of paper and crayons to color a rainbow if you do not have beads/string


LRC retelling bracelet

Putting it together

    1. Measure the string or lacing for the correct size to fit the child’s wrist.
    2. String the bead by placing the colors in rainbow order (red, orange, yellow, green, blue, purple)
    3. Tie the string together with a knot.
     
    If you don’t have string or beads, you may make a bracelet with paper and crayons, colored pencils or markers. Just cut the strip to fit their wrist, and color lines across the width to match the colors of the rainbow. (See image above)

 

Retelling the story

    Slide one bead over at a time, or put a finger on one colored line, beginning with red. Use prompts to ask questions with each bead.

 

Prompts

    R= Ready to hear a retelling of the story? The characters in the story are…
    O= On to where the story took place (setting)
    Y= You have to hear the problem… (something that happens that needs to be fixed)
    G= Get ready for a few more details… (major events)
    B= Better start bringing it to a close and telling you how the problem was solved…
    P= Picking my favorite part is easy. It was when…

 
Click for additional Learning & Loving It activities!
 
 

Learning & Loving It is a series featuring simple, yet fun educational activities for home learning and virtual, interactive tutoring.

LRC Learning and Loving It
 

“Egg-Citing” Egg Activities for Reading & Math

Easter may be over, but don’t pack away those plastic eggs! We have “egg-citing” ideas for tutors, teachers and parents to use for learning.
 

Supplies: Plastic eggs, Sharpie marker, optional word family list (see attachment)

Spinning Eggs

Spinning Egg

    For skills in both and reading and math

  • For reading practice, make these eggs using word families to build new words at the egg is turned.
  • Ex: the “_at” family and can use letters like “b” to make “bat” or “c” to make “cat”.
  •  
    Optional activities with spinning eggs:

  • Make eggs using math fact families such as “5+4=” and “3+6=” “9”
  • For competitive students, time them saying the words and have them try to beat their personal best

 

Break-Apart Eggs

Break Apart Eggs

    For skills in both reading and math

  • With this activity, you’ll write a word (or letter) on the top half and a word (or letter) on the lower half.
  • Ex: upper/lower case letters, synonyms/antonyms, compound words, contractions, math facts, number recognition, etc.
    Then, you’ll break the eggs apart and either mix them up or hid the halves and have students match them to put them back together again.

 
Download your word family list here.
 
See the demonstration on Facebook.
 
Click for additional Learning & Loving It activities!
 
 

Learning & Loving It is a series featuring simple, yet fun educational activities for home learning and virtual, interactive tutoring.

LRC Learning and Loving It
 
Beach Ball Toss
 
1. Take a medium or small beach ball; Inflate and write the following on each panel or section of the ball with permanent marker:

    a. Who?

    b. What?

    c. Where?

    d. When?

    e. How?

    f. Why?

 
2. Read the whole or a portion of a text—fiction or non-fiction.
 
3. The Player tosses the ball into the air and catches it with both hands. He or she then looks to see the questions touched by each thumb, selects one, and answers the question. For more than one player, the ball is tossed to another player who after answering the question tosses the ball to the next player.
 
4. Points can be awarded to determine a final score.
 
Note: If the player is playing alone and the answer is unknown or thought to be incorrect, the player may refer to the text or passage to find the correct answer. This game works well with a variety of different subjects and applications.
 

  • Beach Ball Toss Instructions
  •  
    Tried it? Share how it worked for you or add any suggestions on our Facebook page: LRCPolk.
     
    Click for additional Learning & Loving It activities!
     
     

    Learning & Loving It is a series featuring simple, yet fun educational activities for home learning and virtual, interactive tutoring.

    LRC Learning and Loving It
     
    LRC Math Bingo
     
    1. Create the Bingo components:

    master card, player’s card, individual pieces, tokens (can be markers, bottle caps, paper clips, poker chips, pennies, etc.)

    2. Set Rules: Bingo can be—

      a. Straight: 5 spaces are covered with a token in a straight line—across, down, diagonal

      b. Full House: Every space is covered with a token

      c. Picture Frame: Spaces in outside borders are covered with a token

      d. Other variations, such as the cross, the X.

    3. To Start: Player places token on Free Space; caller places individual pieces in a container, such as a Solo Cup, and thoroughly mixes.

    4. Caller draws an individual piece, and player places token on the matching space on his player’s card.

    5. Player shouts out “Bingo” when pre-determined spaces are covered
     
    Note: This game works incredibly well with children (and adults) of all ages– sight vocabulary words for the younger child; math facts and algebra problems or science for the middle school student; or foreign languages or history facts for the older student. It can be played with partners or groups. Students have fun creating their own cards and pieces.
     

  • Download a blank BINGO board here.
  • Click here to download a sample BINGO card. 

     
     
    Tried it? Share how it worked for you or add any suggestions on our Facebook page: LRCPolk.
     
    Click for additional Learning & Loving It activities!
     
     

  • Learning & Loving It is a series featuring simple, yet fun educational activities for home learning and virtual, interactive tutoring.

    LRC Learning and Loving It
     

    Step by step instructions for using a cootie catcher (or fortune teller)

    LRC Cootie Catcher

       
      1. Take a single piece of paper, fold, and label–Click for diagram
       
      2. Poke your thumbs and forefingers under the flaps.
       
      3. Bring your fingers together so the Cootie Catcher forms a peak.
       
      4. Pick a color and spell it out, moving the catcher vertically and horizontally with your fingers for each letter.
       
      5. Pick a number and count it out, moving the catcher vertically and horizontally with your fingers for each number.
       
      6. Pick a number and lift the corresponding flap and answer the question.
       
      7. Repeat steps 3-5.

     
    Note: Cootie Catchers are great for reading comprehension questions, vocabulary words and definitions, formulas, math facts, geography, science, and history.
     

     
     
    Tried it? Share how it worked for you or add any suggestions on our Facebook page: LRCPolk.
     
    Click for additional Learning & Loving It activities!
     
     
     
     

    via The Ledger by Kimberly C. Moore:
     

     
    via Polk County Library Cooperative

    • Books by Mail
    • – Even with our libraries closed, library materials are still available for request and delivery to your home through Books by Mail (BMail). All you need is a library card to access and order your titles (books, magazines, audio books and movies) through our online catalog. Note: Be sure to select “BMail” as your pick-up location.

     
    Digital Library – download and stream eBooks, audiobooks, movies, music and television with your library card using the following digital media platforms:

     
    Educational Resources
    Find additional activities and resources that we’re updating regularly (and share your own) on our Facebook page, LRCPolk.
     
    Lakeland Mom also has a great list of local resources and activities.
     
     

    “Our number one job is to keep YOU safe” is the forever mantra of all Learning Resource Center programs and personnel. As we vigilantly monitor each day’s events due to COVID-19, the LRC staff would like to share an update on LRC services and to affirm our commitment to you. Containment measures for Coronavirus have halted and suspended 90 percent of the LRC academic programs. Due to the closure of schools and many public locations, we are researching initiatives to continue serving our students. One option is for tutors to provide services through virtual tutoring using Google Hangout, Skype, Facetime or Zoom to accommodate their students. If you are an LRC tutor and would like additional information about these tools or have questions, please contact LRC. We realize that every situation is unique and this may not suit all families.
     
    LRC Staff will remain working on a day-to-day basis, but the LRC Office will be closed to the public at the current time.
     
    Preparations and work for Summer 2020 programs continue and will be extremely important for both students and the organization.
     
    Please contact us (863-688-9477) with whatever concerns or questions with which LRC might assist.
     
    For LRC updates, please check back here or follow us on social media, Facebook & Twitter, for more timely messages.
     

    The Learning Resource Center of Polk County (LRC) hosted the annual For the Love of Learning benefit on Saturday, February 15 at the Lakeland home of Kurt and Kimberly Elmhorst, raising funds for LRC students and programs. The evening, presented by Publix Super Markets Charities, featured a silent auction, hors d’oeuvres by Terrie Lobb Catering, entertainment, and libations. LRC student, Anthony Tran, and LRC tutor Diane Oropeza shared their academic success story, while Board President Michael Carter and LRC Executive Director Dr. Pam Craven presented the 2020 Honorary Award to Joyce Barclay, LRC Past President and longtime advocate.
     

     
    To view all of the photos from the evening, please visit LRC on Facebook.
     
     

    The Learning Resource Center of Polk County invites educators to attend a professional development workshop on Thursday, March 5, 2020 from 4:30-6 p.m. at Florida Southern College. Kami Guarino, educational leadership coach and founder of The Excellence Team, will lead the Resilience 101: Learn How to Thrive Not Just Survive in Your School seminar. Attendees will be able to receive Polk County Public Schools in-service credit. The workshop tuition and book fee will be provided through a gift by David and Jean Bunch. Florida Southern College will provide light refreshments.
     

     

    What:

    Professional development workshop for educators led by Kami Guarino to help attendees thrive, rather than survive, in their schools; PCPS inservice credit available

    Who:

    Polk County educators

    When:

    Thursday, March 5, 2020 from 4:30-6 p.m.

    Where:

    Anne MacGregor Recital Hall at Florida Southern College
    (directly across walkway from Branscomb Auditorium); 111 Lake Hollingsworth Drive, Lakeland

    Cost:

    Tuition and book fee underwritten by David & Jean Bunch

    How:

    RSVP by Monday, March 2 to LRC at 863-688-9477 or PamelaC@LRCPolk.com

    About Kami Guarino:


    Map:

    Click for a map of Florida Southern College to find the Anne MacGregor Recital Hall
    (RD on map).

     
     


     
    The Learning Resource Center (LRC) will host its annual For the Love…of Learning benefit to aid Polk County students on Saturday, February 15, 2020 from 7-10 p.m. at the Lakeland home of Kurt and Kimberly Elmhorst.
     
    This evening, presented by Publix Super Markets Charities, is aimed at raising program aid and LRC scholarship funds for deserving students and will feature hors d’oeuvres by Terrie Lobb Catering, entertainment, libations, and a world-class silent auction.
     
    Attendees will find an eclectic mix of auction items available for bids as well as activities that include dining and drinking experiences, entertainment options, sport outings, shopping sprees, and more.
     
    The 45-year academic nonprofit will recognize Joyce Barclay as the 2020 Honoree. Honorees are supporters who have assisted in expanding and extending the LRC mission of helping students maximize their learning potential.
     
    In addition to leading sponsor Publix Super Markets Charities, CenterState Bank, Bank of Central Florida, GrayRobinson, Payne Air Conditioning & Heating, Drs. Dorsey and Sandy Hightower, Dr. Eileen Wills, Hunt and Mary Berryman, Mark Thompson, The Dean Family Foundation, Prime Meridian Bank, Todd and Suzette Jones, and Citizens Bank & Trust are event sponsors.
     
    Those interested in attending may purchase admission at LRCLoveofLearning.com for $80 each or $150 for two. LRC tutors will receive discounted pricing of $50. Other ways to support this cause for education include becoming a sponsor, donating silent auction items, bestowing a scholarship or contributing to the LRC Endowment Fund within the GiveWell Community Foundation.