April 16, 2020
Tristar Reads, our annual summer reading program, doesn’t begin until May, but as most students are at home in this season, we want to offer various resources and activities for parents and kids to stay engaged in reading and learning. Dive into the many different ways your child can learn in this season and join us for a few fun challenges along the way.
Sign up for Tristar Reads 2020 here.
During these uncertain times, we want to be a resource for parents and students as we navigate together what learning from home looks like and the various resources that are available for families. Each week, we’ll feature our top 5 learning links to help guide learning and fun in your home.
Top 5 learning links of the week:
Scholastic is providing “day-to-day projects to keep kids reading, thinking, and growing.” Resources are divided by grade level (PreK – 12) as well as separate resources for teaches and parents. They also provide tips and tricks for their Scholastic Learn at Home resources that kids can complete at in time, in any order. Check it out here.
Great Minds has written material for math (Grades K-12) and daily instructional videos for English language arts (Grades K-8), and science (Grades 3-5). The best part about this resource? New video lessons and content is updated daily to help your child thrive. Take advantage of this great resource here.
Great Schools provides free printable worksheets, word lists, and activities for grades Pre-K – 5th. They also have grade-based toolkits with suggested daily schedules, book recommendations for each grade level, vocabulary words, and helpful tips for parents. Dive in here.
NASA is offering STEM resources for kids grades K-12 with home resources broken down by each grade level. With features like interactive games, learning by exploring through space, and fun activities, students can be taken away to a new galaxy of fun while still at home. Get engaged in what NASA has to offer here.
Cassie Stephens, an art teacher from Johnson Elementary School in Franklin, Tennessee, is conducting daily art lessons on her Facebook and Instagram from 11 – 11:30 am CST every weekday. Stephens has taught art for 21 years and picks a new theme each week to teach to her virtual students. Read more here.
| As our schools, economy, and life in general moves at a rapidly different pace than one month ago, TSS is keeping our finger on the pulse of education-related COVID-19 changes and want to keep you as up-to-date as possible. Effective April 2, Governor Bill Lee issued Executive Order 23 which requires Tennesseans to stay at home unless they are carrying out essential activities. This order is in effect until April 14, 2020. Effective April 8, Governor Lee issued Executive Order 25, which will extend Executive Order 18. This order requires that all non-emergency dental and non-essential medical procedures be postponed until April 30. Currently, Tennessee public schools are closed until April 24th. To receive further guidance from the Tennessee Department of Education (TDOE), click here. Additionally, the Tennessee State Government has recently released a public survey for the CARES Act, which provides one-time relief funds for education. This survey seeks input from Tennesseans on the most effective ways to prioritize these funds. Please take advantage of this opportunity to use your voice and fill out the survey here. |
At TSS, we are doing our best to help students, families, and communities during this global crisis.
Please use your voice today by filling out our survey. Our aim is to use your feedback to respond with relevant information as well as to inform our policy work with legislators to ensure Tennesseans have what they need to succeed during this time.
Feel free to send this to your friends and family and we hope to be a valuable resource to you and your community.
Tristar Reads is designed to encourage students K-12 to read at least 20 minutes a day during the summer months. The program runs from May 1 – September 1, 2020, and will award the reader who logs the most amount of minutes in elementary, middle, and high school with a $1,000 scholarship! Be sure to sign up here.