Op-ed: Nagging not necessary to fight summer learning loss

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Jun 6, 2014

In a May 30, 2014 op-ed in the Austin American-Statesman, I write about how summer presents a window of opportunity to help children shore up academic skills and prepare for a successful return to school in the fall.

The best way to motivate students to make progress over the summer is to look for learning opportunities that are joyful, from the students’ perspective. The key is to see the world from their vantage point and design a summer learning strategy that responds to the jobs children are innately trying to get done in their lives. The art of motivation does not entail nagging.

To read the piece in depth, click here.

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Heather Staker is an adjunct fellow at the Christensen Institute, specializing in K–12 student-centered teaching and blended learning. She is the co-author of "Blended" and "The Blended Workbook." She is the founder and president of Ready to Blend, and has authored six BloomBoard micro-credentials for the “Foundations of Blended Learning” educator micro-endorsement.