Dallas Independent School District
07/10/2025 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 07/10/2025 10:27
Dallas ISD News: Dallas ISD's Summer Cool Camp blends learning and adventure
Dallas ISD's Summer Cool Camp blends learning and adventure
Editor's note: Spanish story included below
DALLAS -
At Chapel Hill Preparatory School, students traded in their usual textbooks for compasses, multipurpose vests, canteens, and binoculars to embark on an educational journey.
In June, these students participated in Summer Cool, a month-long program that helps develop the skills they need to navigate the next school year. For the first half of the day, students attended math and reading classes, which consisted of teacher-led instruction and discussion, group work, and independent practice, followed by online math and reading games to end the class.
The second half of the day was for enrichment activities centered around children expressing their creativity. Students were able to make friendship bracelets, draw lizards, lions, and recreate their favorite artists' album covers, and give fun facts.
One student's love for Michael Jackson led him to share his video tribute with his classmates to honor the late legendary artist. He also made them aware that June 25 was the day that Jackson passed away, which explained his intense focus on completing his drawing of Jackson in his legendary outfit for the song "Thriller."
Throughout the day, instructors found ways to keep campers motivated by creating a class "playlist" instead of an agenda, which encouraged them to plan their own activities once they completed their lessons. This gave students the autonomy to choose their preferred method of learning, finding themselves in an environment where they learned to become more self-reliant.
"They know what they have to do first and then what their options are after their work is done," said Suzanne Paiz, a fourth grade teacher. "When students completed the assignments that the instructors had listed on the playlists, they were given the autonomy to do online learning games or more engaging worksheets that tied into the lesson."
One camper, Jiaxi X., appreciated the ability, structure, and concept of the playlist.
"They would make fun questions out of the subjects we were doing at the time. It was really fun. I sometimes got questions wrong, which was okay because I was able to figure out my mistakes on my own," she said.
As Summer Cool unfolded, students stayed focused on its true purpose-gaining the skills and confidence to thrive in the year ahead. What started as a journey of self-reliance and friendship led them to discover their true capabilities and confidence to maneuver through the terrains of a new school year.
Xavier R., who is going into fourth grade, said he is ready for the next step in his education.
"I understand fractions way more," he said, slightly pushing his glasses up onto his face. "Since I'm moving to fourth grade, I need to know these skills by heart."
Spanish story:
Estudiantes disfrutan de aprendizaje y aventura en campamento de verano de Dallas ISD
DALLAS - En Chapel Hill Preparatory School, los estudiantes cambiaron sus libros de texto por brújulas, chalecos tácticos, cantimploras y binoculares para emprender una nueva aventura educativa.
En junio, estos estudiantes participaron en "Summer Cool", un programa de un mes de duración que los ayuda a desarrollar las habilidades que necesitan para afrontar el próximo año escolar.
Por la mañana, los estudiantes asistieron a clases de matemáticas y lectura que consistieron en enseñanza de parte de un maestro y discusiones, trabajo en grupos y práctica independiente, seguido por juegos de matemáticas y lectura en línea para concluir la clase.
Por la tarde, hicieron actividades enriquecedoras centradas en la expresión de su creatividad. Los estudiantes hicieron brazaletes de amistad, dibujaron lagartijas y leones y recrearon las portadas de los álbumes de sus artistas favoritos.
El amor de un estudiante por Michael Jackson lo llevó a compartir un tributo por video con sus compañeros en honor al fallecido artista legendario. También les contó que Jackson falleció un 25 de junio, lo que explicaba su intenso enfoque en completar su dibujo de Jackson vestido con su legendario atuendo de la canción "Thriller".
A lo largo del día, los instructores encontraron maneras de motivar a los estudiantes al crear una lista de actividades en lugar de una agenda, lo que los animó a planear sus propias actividades una vez que completaran las lecciones. Esto dio a los alumnos autonomía para elegir su método preferido de aprendizaje, y se encontraron en un entorno en que aprendieron a ser más autosuficientes.
"Ellos saben lo que deben hacer primero y qué opciones tienen una vez que completan sus trabajos", dijo Suzanne Paiz, maestra de cuarto grado. "Cuando completan las tareas que los instructores incluyen en la lista, se les da autonomía para jugar juegos educativos en línea o completar hojas de trabajo más interactivas relacionadas con la lección".
Jiaxi X., una estudiante del campamento, valoró que la lista incluyera habilidades, estructura y conceptos.
"Incluían preguntas divertidas de las materias que estábamos viendo. Fue muy divertido. A veces sacaba mal las preguntas, pero no pasaba nada porque podía resolver mis errores yo sola", dijo.
A lo largo del campamento, los estudiantes mantuvieron su enfoque en el verdadero propósito: adquirir habilidades y confianza para tener éxito el próximo año. Aquello que empezó como un camino hacia la autosuficiencia y la amistad los llevó a descubrir sus verdaderas capacidades y confianza para afrontar el nuevo año escolar.
Xavier R., quien entrará a cuarto grado, dijo estar listo para el siguiente paso en su educación.
"Ahora entiendo mejor las fracciones", dijo, ajustándose los lentes. "Como voy a estar en cuarto grado, tengo que aprenderme estas habilidades".
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