Power of Immersion Program

This summer our family is participating in an immersion program to learn a new language. 

It has been proved that an immersion course is the fastest and most effective way to learn the language. Taking several hours of language lessons a day and being surrounded by native speakers round the clock let the student literally soak up the language.

One-on-one lessons are the fastest and most efficient way to learn a new language. Our teachers can concentrate fully on us, go at the pace that's right for us and can adapt the lessons to our needs, interests and learning style. The teacher can always answer our questions and practice with us until we can confidently apply the lesson before moving on to the next one.

Since we want to learn Spanish we checked Antigua in Guatemala. 

Much of the city center of Antigua has UNESCO World Heritage Site status, making it a great city for walking! Antigua is one of the best preserved conserved colonial cities in the world, and it is also one of the most beautiful – you can see Antigua’s volcanic mountains from most streets in the city!

Let’s do experiment and see if the program will work for us.

Check some pictures from the trip to Guatemala:
https://goo.gl/photos/k8bM6vjPEijanwnX6
Also check The Follow Up article by activating underlined Follow up

Good Book – “One of the Murphys” by Lynda Mullaly Hunt

“Mom, you must read it.” my 9 years old daughter said.

So I read it and I am so glad I did.

"One for the Murphys" is absolutely heartwarming story. I immediately became attached to Carley and can't tell you how many times my eyes filled with tears throughout. I think her story will stick with me for a long time.

Good Book - The Zookeeper's Wife: A War Story by Diane Ackerman

"The Zookeeper's Wife" is a strange, but historically true story of WWII. 

A tale of people, animals, and subversive acts of compassion.

My daughter's summer choice. 

Basia, July 2017

In 1939 Poland, Antonina Żabiński and her husband, Dr. Jan Żabiński had the Warsaw Zoo flourishing under his stewardship and her care. When Poland was invaded by the Nazis, Jan and Antonina were forced to report to the Reich’s newly appointed chief zoologist, Lutz Heck. After the zoo was bombed, Jan and Antonina Zabinski managed to save over three hundred people from the Nazis by hiding refugees in the empty animal cages. With animal names for these "guests," and human names for the animals.

How to Keep Your Child’s Academic Skills up Over the Summer

Encourage Leisure Reading:

Take advantage of the summer months, read together or give your child time every day to do so. Minimum 30 minutes a day. Ask variety of questions about a book your child is reading.

Go to the local library or bookstore and let your child pick out books that he/she wants to read. Giving choices will reinforce that reading is fun.

Basia, 2017

Participate in Reading Challenge or Project:

Let make a child promise to him/herself. (Suggestion after Mrs. Scott, librarian from Queen’s Gate School, set a challenge for her pupils. 

In addition to books of my own choosing

I pledge to read the following:

(Please choose at least 5)

A book published this year

A book you can finish in a day

A book you have been meaning to read

A book recommended by the teacher

A book chosen for you by your parent/family member

A book published before you were born

A book that you previously abandoned

A book you own but have never read

A non-fission book

A book that has won a prize

A book by a foreign author

Or Read-a-Thon project which provides kids with age appropriate book list. The book list has just right books, downhill (a little easier) and uphill (a little more challenging).

Basia reading on a ferry, 2017

Continue On-line Web-practice:

My daughter has been using Beestar.org - innovative online math and reading exercises for kids.  A beauty of web exercises is that your child can take them with him/her wherever you travel and access anytime that’s convenient. Any other preferable by child website is good.

Encourage Writing:

Use a notebooks as a summer journal.

Mu daughter's challenge:

Dear Basia,

You have come so far as a writer this year…keep it up!!

Write 2-3 entries per week; that’s 16-24 entries for the summer.

Remember! Each entry must:

-        Have a date at the top.

-        Be written in paragraphs/any other appropriate structure.

-        Feel up at least one page of writing.

-        Have appropriate capitalization/punctuation.

·       Optional: pictures (drawn or photos.)

You can use your book to write diary entries, fiction stories, research notes, plays, interviews, chapters, letters, book reviews…

Bring your book during the first week of 5^th grade and earn an invitation to a special party. You will have a chance to hang out with old friends, eat delicious food, and share your writing, Have fun!

Victoria and Sarah

Summer journal decorated by Basia, 2017

 3rd entree, 2017

Keep a Summer Routine:

Even though your child may not be getting up as early as he/she would during the school year, make sure he/she gets plenty of rest and wakes up at the same time each day. Further, keep a schedule that is fairly consistent from day to day, meals, sports, and any other regular activity should take place around the same time each day. 

Summer in Manhattan can be fun, Basia 2017

Find Time for Social Interaction:

Make sure your child has opportunity to interact with other children his/her age. If a day or away camp is not possible make regular play-dates with his/her closest friends. This will help your child enter school confident and eager to spend time with the other children in her class.

Basia hanging out with friends, 2017