Exceptional Minds’ Post

The research tells us that having books at home stops summer learning loss AND that children in under-resourced communities have fewer books at home. ALL children deserve to have access to books and reading, and at Books Are Wings, we're working to build the libraries of young readers across Rhode Island. "Prioritizing learning as a year-round commitment, and implementing programs that support summer learning, limit summer learning loss, which in turn reduces the achievement gap." (BU Journal of Graduate Studies in Education, Volume 14, Issue 2, 2022) You can have a big impact in the life of a child this summer by supporting our Stop the Summer Slide Campaign. Give today, and help make reading a key part of every child's summer experience: https://bit.ly/3XfopGi

https://lnkd.in/erksq5tm Week three of our summer camp.Summer camp offers a unique blend of fun and learning, particularly benefiting children with special needs. These camps provide structured activities that promote social interaction, skill development, and self-confidence. Engaging in group sessions allows children to practice communication, cooperation, and problem-solving in a supportive environment. These experiences are crucial for preparing them for the school setting, where they will need to manage similar interactions and tasks.Additionally, summer camps often incorporate therapeutic activities tailored to individual needs, enhancing physical, cognitive, and emotional development. By participating in these activities, children with special needs can develop resilience, adaptability, and a sense of accomplishment. This holistic approach not only prepares them for the academic challenges of a classroom but also helps them navigate the social aspects of school life, fostering a smoother transition and a more inclusive educational experience.

📣”Oh, I don’t have to take my children to the museum; they've already been with the school." Here are 3 reasons why you should go back: 1. Personalized Experience: Schools operate on tight schedules and must follow a set curriculum. By taking your child, you can tailor the visit to their specific interests. Want to spend more time at the polar bear exhibit? No problem! 🐻❄️ 2. Quality Bonding Time: Visiting the museum with your child allows for quality time together. You can explore at your own pace.🤝 3.New Discoveries: Museums regularly update their exhibits. Your child likely didn't see everything on their first visit, and new displays can provide fresh learning opportunities. 🔍 Bonus: See the list of free days for museums below! 📅 Let’s combat summer learning loss. 💎Studies show that children who visit museums with their families tend to perform better academically. Learning never stops—embrace lifelong learning! 📚✨🦋💎 #BillionaireBookBabeArt #BillionaireBookBabe #SummerLearning #MuseumMagic #FamilyFun #LifelongLearning #ExploreTogether #SmartParents #EducationMatters

A life stage after the age of 65 is filled with opportunity and possibility! On this "As Young As You Feel Day," discover how notions of "old age" have evolved. Learn more - https://bit.ly/3v9p28s

Are you wondering if your student might benefit from summer classes? 🌊 As summer approaches, it's easy to get caught up in the allure of total and complete leisure and relaxation. However, amidst the sun-soaked days and balmy evenings lies a golden opportunity for academic growth and personal advancement: summer classes. Whether at your university, a community college, or online, engaging in coursework during the summer months can yield a myriad of benefits that extend far beyond the classroom. Explore our latest blog on the topic, or schedule a call with our team to learn more about how we can help your student this summer! 🌞 https://lnkd.in/eWwqNEqe

🌟 Meet Emily, a passionate science teacher who embarked on a transformative Summer Project journey with us! 🗨️ "I would 100% recommend Summer Projects. I gained more than I thought I would. I found it really interesting," she shares. 📚 Emily dove into researching Special Educational Needs and Disability (SEND) policies and parental engagement strategies, contributing to improvements in schools. "Our work has made it easier for schools to quickly find gaps and make changes that will massively improve their own policies and practices," she reflects. 🗨️ "Sometimes schools can feel pretty isolated. Our work highlighted how crucial the connection between head teachers, staff, and other schools is." Beyond policy impact, Emily discovered ways to engage with parents proactively, "I've established things I can do as a classroom teacher to better support my pupils." ⚡ Ready to explore, learn, and make a difference in your teaching career? If you completed or are currently on our Training Programme, sign up in April to join our Summer Projects! > https://lnkd.in/etVZq5_v

In today's job market, employers value creativity, critical thinking, and adaptability as much as technical skills. Elementary art education plays a crucial role in developing these essential traits. Art classes foster innovation, problem-solving, collaboration, and resilience, preparing children for future success. Discover how art education is as vital as literacy and numeracy for building a well-rounded workforce. Read the full article on Artbx to learn more: The Essential Skills Employers Seek: How Elementary Art Education Prepares the Workforce of Tomorrow. https://lnkd.in/gPgkMYRA

At Dancewave, we believe that young people should have equitable access to opportunities for lifelong success and thriving. Dancewave Through College and Beyond responds to the barriers young people face during the college application and audition process, and provides an empowering, full-service college preparatory program connecting students with top collegiate dance programs.  Over the past 14 years, we have built a program that is unrivaled in size and scope. In fact, demand for this program, especially among families from low-income communities where college preparation is cost-prohibitive, is increasing at an unsustainable rate. This is why Dancewave is actively working to increase equitable program access so that the most marginalized students gain access to future-affirming opportunities in higher education and beyond. Creating more accessible opportunities for young people requires resources, and we cannot do this alone. We call on you to join us in creating more equitable systems: Contribute to our Go Beyond Fund and ensure that all students can access higher education and careers in dance, regardless of their race, gender, socioeconomic status or ability and extend your impact by forwarding this message to your community - every bit helps!  https://lnkd.in/ef9Km--7

Please look at an event on March 14th for Civic Learning Week: "Perception versus Being Together". In unveiling the intricate workings of perception, exposing its role in crafting optical illusions and distorting our grasp of visual reality, we uncover a startling revelation: this very mechanism extends its reach into the fabric of our interpersonal interactions. Immersed in a battleground of perceptions, we find ourselves entrenched in divisive narratives, trapped within the confines of "Us-Against-Them" mentalities dictated by narratives that grip us relentlessly, rendering us blind to alternatives. To transcend this perceptual stranglehold and cultivate a new mode of communal existence, we embark on a journey of physical engagement and shared activities, from the humble handshake to more elaborate exercises, forging connections beyond the constraints of perception's sway. To register, find the event in the list here: https://lnkd.in/ewuN5TAj

Finished Katie Rose Guest Pryal's A Light in the Tower this evening. Part guide to navigating being a contingent faculty member with a mental disability and part pedagogical call to action, it considers the toll of academia's treatment of mental disabilities, such as anxiety and neurodiversity, as outliers to accommodate instead of focusing on accessibility across the board--even as it is a space with an epidemic of anxiety. Pryal makes compelling arguments for ditching "toxic rigor," which she defines as practices that prioritize "logistical rather than intellectual hurdles." Think attendance policies, forced grade curves, and strict deadlines without extensions. Great stuff here too about how contingent faculty (and grad students) are front-line faculty, that is instructors who are often the most vulnerable on campus and who have close contact with students, and so are unofficially tasked with students who are struggling. I know there's always so much to do in academia, but this is a read worth making space for this summer.