MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — In Monongalia County, K–12 students return to the classroom on August 20, and pre-K students return the following day for the 2024–25 school year. Families have about three weeks left to enjoy the summer break, and two Monongalia County Schools employees have ideas to keep your children engaged.
On WAJR’s “Ask the Educators,” Director of Federal Programs and Director of Instructional Services for Elementary Education Norma Gaines and Federal Programs Technology Integration Specialist Susan Taylor have ideas for activities in the time remaining.
Many of the activities are the same as those as those offered in some of the summer programs presented by the district, and many can be duplicated at home. Taylor said at Ridgedale Elementary School, students built a solar-powered car as a learning experience. Many stores offer models and similar building kits that can help students learn about technology.
“It was great to walk in and see them building it, and they were all in different stages,” Taylor said. “But for them to be able to tell me how they built this and how it’s going to run, that’s all learning.”
Other activities include board games, craft activities, outdoor, kitchen-based activities, or things like gardening. Each activity requires counting, timing, measuring, and problem-solving.
“Board games, the culinary classes you can cook with your children at home,” Taylor said. “We have cricket; sewing was a big one this year; and gardening; we have two groups called “Little Green Thumbs.”
Gaines said inviting kids into the kitchen can be fun and educational as well. Children must read and follow recipes while understanding measurements, temperature levels, and safety. The skills are a good exercise that also gives kids healthy habits to carry into their lives.
“Kids love to cook—not just treats; they love to cook meals,” Gaines said. “Something like pasta and sauce is very easy for children to help you with, and you can teach them all the safety skills of using pots, stoves, hot things, and knives.”
Using the remaining time of the summer to get outside is important, and there are many activities that come with opportunities to learn. The comprehensive rail-trail system, areas along Deckers Creek, and the West Virginia Botanic Garden provide learning opportunities that are free and close to home.
“Look for different butterflies, try to identify the plants, look at the streams, and see what you can see in the water,” Gaines said. “All sorts of things to observe, look at, and think about.”