A Summer Spark
Keeping Curiosity Alive This Summer
Hi families!
Summer brings longer days, sticky popsicle hands, and the flicker of fireflies dancing in the dusk — a perfect reminder that learning doesn’t stop when school does. Just like those glowing bugs, curiosity lights up a child’s world, and it thrives best in moments of wonder.
But research shows that without regular engagement, kids can experience the “summer slide” — a seasonal dip in academic skills, especially in reading and math. The good news? Everyday experiences — from evening walks to grocery runs — can spark powerful learning moments when approached with intention and a sense of play.
It can be as simple (and fun) as making a snack!
Enter: Colorful Layered Lollies — a kid-friendly, hands-on popsicle recipe that blends math, reading, sequencing, and science all in one chilly treat.
By measuring ingredients, reading directions, and layering colors, kids strengthen key academic skills — all while enjoying a fun kitchen moment with you.
Want to try it at home?
This kind of low-stress, curiosity-driven activity is exactly the kind of learning that sticks. Whether it’s cooking, reading, or chasing fireflies, the best summer learning happens when it’s woven into everyday wonder.
Looking for more ideas to keep young minds active? Ask us about our summer tutoring sessions, reading support, or summer meet-ups — designed to help kids return confident, curious, and ready to shine.
What is Project-Based Learning?
Helping Your Child Become an Independent Learner This Summer
Many families have heard the term Project-Based Learning (PBL), but what does it really look like outside the classroom? Simply put, PBL is a hands-on approach where students explore real-world questions and create meaningful work to show what they’ve learned. It’s creative, student-driven, and a powerful way to build critical thinking, collaboration, and communication — all while connecting learning to life.
At our microschool, project-based learning is an integral part of our curriculum and something our students love. But you don’t have to wait for classes to start to introduce (or incorporate) PBL’s into your child’s natural desire for exploration and creativity!
This month we have created a fun (and free) PBL that your child can try right in your backyard!
Why It Matters
This kind of project is more than just fun — it builds research skills, sparks creativity, and helps kids see connections between science, reading, writing, art, and even public speaking. It’s exactly how we approach learning in our microschool: through wonder, exploration, and purpose.
Keep the Glow Going
We’d love to see your child’s firefly discoveries! Share photos or short stories with us — and know that we can’t wait to hear about their summer adventures when school begins again.
Optional Extras to Explore:
Watch: Check out National Geographic Kids or YouTube Kids for family friendly firefly science videos
Read Together: Take a trip to the library for books about fireflies such as: Fireflies! by Julie Brinckloe or The Very Lonely Firefly by Eric Carle
Let curiosity lead the way this summer — and let learning shine bright.
Now Offering: The Test of Dyslexia
Early Support. Clear Answers. Real Progress.
We’re excited to share that our team is now offering evaluations using the Test of Dyslexia — a nationally recognized, research-based tool designed to help identify early signs of dyslexia in students.
Why does this matter? Because the sooner we understand how a child learns, the better we can support them. Dyslexia is more common than many people realize, and early identification is key to building confidence, improving reading skills, and preventing unnecessary frustration.
What is The Test of Dyslexia?
The Test of Dyslexia is:
Quick and student-friendly
Evidence-based and highly accurate
Designed to assess the core reading and language skills associated with dyslexia
Whether you’ve had concerns for a while, or just want to better understand your child’s learning profile, this evaluation can provide valuable insights and next steps.
Interested in Scheduling an Evaluation?
If you’d like to learn more or schedule a screening, visit our website below.
*All events will be held at our LEESBURG center*
Whether your child is chasing fireflies, layering popsicles, or diving into a curiosity-driven mini project, summer is full of opportunities to learn in joyful, meaningful ways. As always, thank you for being part of our learning community. We can’t wait to hear your stories, see your kids' firefly journals and layered popsicles, and catch a few of your smiling faces at our summer meet-ups!
With wonder,
