The Family Flyer is created by Genesee Intermediate School District (GISD) Early Literacy and Math coaches and coordinators. Our hope is that parents and caretakers, countywide, take advantage of the resources to support their kindergarten through third grade children with academics, nutrition, and well-being. New events and resources will be published monthly. Please contact Education and Learning at the GISD if you have any questions. The contact information is located at the bottom of this flyer. It is our hope that you find this resource useful and fun. Enjoy!

Looking for more engaging learning opportunities at home, but don't know where to start? The Michigan Learning Channel (MLC) is a statewide public television partnership that offers instructional content to support the education of all students! The channel is designed to enrich school learning and it is aligned with Michigan's educational standards.

Lessons broadcasted are about a half-hour each and are presented by REAL Educators! You can find the broadcast on your local on-air channel, live-streamed online, or on-demand, all at no-cost to you!

View the full schedule below. Click here to learn more about MLC and the resources they provide.

While the holiday season can be busy for families, it is important we schedule time to practice essential skills. Making a family schedule for learning can help! As a family, decide what time is best for learning activities. Do you prefer after school? How about after bath time, or just before bed? The decision belongs to you! Making a plan to support your children's learning will really pay off during these busy months ahead.

Enjoy some fun winter themed books with your friends and families.

Want your child to have some winter fun indoors AND learn about even and odd numbers?

Consider having an indoor snowball fight. You can use cotton balls, wadded up scrap paper, or even rolled up socks for a snow ball fight. Divide the room in half and give each child the same number of "snowballs" to begin with. Set a timer on your phone or play music to let the children know when to begin tossing and when to stop. At the end of the "snowball fight" have the children count their snowballs and decide if they have an even amount (equal pairs) or an odd amount (one snowball doesn't have a pair). Parents can join in on on the fun too! Keep playing for as long as the laughter continues!

Check out the fireside read aloud above to help your children better understand the even an odd concept.

Real snow is more than just frozen water! In order to snow, the temperature needs to be below freezing (32 degrees Fahrenheit), but there also needs to be moisture in the air in order for the snowflakes to form.

Use the video above to experiment at home with three different fake snow recipes. Decide which one is most like real snow. Consider keeping a scientific record explaining the properties of each snow recipe and what made it feel most like the real thing or what made it different from real snow.

Here is a link to a STEM Website where you can get more ideas about snow STEM activities.

Learning "how to" do something is an important part of growing and learning! Children learn "how to" do an endless number of tasks. They learn "how to" dress themselves, brush their teeth, and later, ride a bike and read a book. As a family, make a plan "how to" build a perfect snowman.

Consider these steps in your planning:

• Think about a snowman you have seen.
• Draw a picture of a snowman you would like to build.
• Make a list of items you will need or want.
• Consider and write down each step in making a snowman.
• Use sequence words like: first, next, then, and finally.
• Write the directions and see if you can follow them:)

Click on the image to download a template to help you learn "how to" get started!

Toys for Tots of Genesee County provided nearly 7,000 toys to children during 2020. As the holiday season approaches, the need in our county is great once again. Click on the image to learn how to donate, volunteer, or apply for support. Together, we can make a difference for families in our community!

The Holiday Season often affords us time to gather for a meal with those we love. This can be a rewarding time to strengthen family ties by engaging in rich conversation with adults and children alike. Asking questions and sharing ideas helps us make the most of our time together. Click the image for 50 conversation starters to help with "table talk."

Take a look at these quick things you can do as a family to foster a love for learning. Click on the picture of the calendar for a closer look of these activities.

Stephanie Jacobson - GISD Early Literacy Coach

Dr. Joanne LeBlanc - GISD Coordinator of Instruction and Reading Recovery

Tameka Pritchett - Early Literacy Coach from West Wood Heights

Shannon Sly - GISD ELA Partnership Coach

Jeannine Strickert - Early Literacy Coach from Clio

Danielle Wolsker - GISD Math Partnership Coach

Kristie Yammine - Early Literacy Coach from West Wood Heights

Email: mwing@geneseeisd.org
Website: www.geneseeisd.org
Location: 2413 West Maple Avenue, Flint, MI, USA
Phone: 810-591-4400
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/GISDPage
Twitter: @GeneseeISD