From ABCs to New Friendships, 4K Students Grow Through Summer Learning

This summer I learned…

“My ABCs.”

“To count to 100.”

“How to make a new friend.” 

At MMSD's Summer Semester 4K program, those everyday milestones are helping young learners build the skills — and confidence — to thrive this fall.

Designed for students who attended an MMSD 4K program during the most recent school year, Summer Semester offers additional learning experiences to help ease the transition to kindergarten.

Mendota Summer Semester 4K teacher Zicela Schroder — a developmental bilingual education 4K teacher at Sandburg during the school year — said one of the major benefits of the program is keeping students in a routine. 

“Even though they had different 4K teachers during the school year, they still know ‘my teachers are here, my friends are here and I’m having fun,’” Schroder said. “That familiarity helps them feel comfortable and ready to learn.”

After only a few weeks into the program, Schroder could already see growth among students, both in literacy and math and social emotional learning. One student who would often confuse letters of the alphabet could now sing the alphabet song on repeat. Another who was often quiet and hesitant to share is now the first student to say hi to students and staff in the classroom.

No matter which skills students are fine-tuning, they’re all learning through hands-on experiences, exploration and imagination, known as purposeful play. A student building a Lego house is practicing problem-solving and creativity. Students working together are building communication skills, learning how to collaborate and strengthening friendships along the way.

For Schroder, those moments are an important part of preparing students for kindergarten. Through purposeful play, classroom routines and new learning experiences, students are developing the academic, social and emotional skills they’ll carry with them into the school year.