2008 Elementary Summer Program (K-5)

		Summer School Elementary (K-5) Middle School (6-8) High School (9-12)

Plano Summer Opportunities for Learning offers a variety of elementary programs. Each program is unique, and parents may wish to talk with their child's teacher or principal concerning the programs best suited for summer study. All program applications are distributed through the elementary schools. Program dates and times are listed within each program description. Transportation is provided for each program. Bus schedules will be available the last week of the 2007-08 school year and will be sent home with the students.

• Plano Enrichment Program (PEP)
• Summer Institute for Gifted and Talented Students (SIGS)
• Plano Academy of Learning (PAL)
• Special Education
• Bilingual/ESOL
• Summer Music Camp

Plano Enrichment Program (PEP)

The Plano Enrichment Program (PEP) offers more than 30 varied enrichment classes in addition to reinforcement classes for language arts and mathematics. Students are free to enroll in content courses of their choice (see course offerings below). The program is located at Carpenter Middle School, 1501 Cross Bend, and Christie Elementary, 3801 Rainier Drive. The dates are June 16 through July 11 from 8:30 a.m. until 12:30 p.m. Tuition is $140 for one two-hour class and $280 for two classes. Tuition may be paid with cash, money order, cashier's check, Master Card, Visa, Discover, or American Express card. No personal checks will be accepted.

The Student Registration Form will be sent home with the student in March and will also be available in each elementary school. Students are encouraged to register immediately to assure their choice of classes. The deadline for registration is May 9. Out of district students may enroll in PEP.

Transportation is provided from the student's home campus. Bus schedules will be sent home with students the last week of the 2007-08 school year. 

Students will learn the basic skills of cheerleading, including technique, performance and safety. Students will perform a chant, cheer and cheer dance routine at the end of the course.

Do you love to cook? If so, then Book Cooks is the class for you. This class involves hands-on cooking experience while enjoying some of children's favorite literature. For students who have completed first or second grade.

This course is designed for students who could benefit from building basic mathematical understanding.  Opportunities will be provided for students to develop the self esteem needed to enter the next grade level feeling confident about mathematics.  Emphasis will be placed on preparing strugging students for grade level content using the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills.

This course is designed for students who could benefit from building basic literacy skills.  Opportunities will be provided for students to develop the self esteem needed to enter the next grade level feeling confident about reading.  Emphasis will be placed on preparing strugging students for grade level content using the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills.

This course is designed for students who could benefit from building basic writing skills.  Opportunities will be provided for students to develop the self esteem needed to enter the next grade level feeling confident about writing.  Emphasis will be placed on preparing strugging students for grade level content using the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills.

Come live in an art fantasy world!  In Art Fantasy we will discover the art of elements, principles, and much more.  We will learn about the color wheel, line, texture, and form. We will also explore artwork of famous artists such as Picasso, Haring, Monet, Matisse, O'Keeffe, and van Gogh. We will learn how to draw people, make animals, and discover nature through plants and flowers. We will be doing many fun filled activities using crayons, paint, oil pastels, yarn, tissue paper, clay, and paper mache. This class is offered to students who have completed kindergarten.

Does your child need additional instruction or practice with handwriting skills? The emphasis of this class will be in correct letter formation and strokes.  We will also reinforce basic math skills and explore the computer program "Kid Pix." Would you like to build a strong handwriting and math foundation for first grade? If so, join us in this fun adventure! This class is for students leaving kindergarten and entering first grade.

This enrichment writing class is designed as an extension for students who are experienced writers and enjoy writing. Your child will create and illustrate books using themes from well-known authors. Art techniques will also be taught to the young authors.  What a wonderful class to show off their great writing and illustrating skills. For students entering first or second grade.

Primary students will investigate plants, animals, and space. Many hands-on and outside activities will make science come alive for those junior scientists. For students who have completed kindergarten.

Wiggle Works Extreme is a class for students who have completed kindergarten or first grade. The students will continue to read through the kindergarten and first grade levels of the Wiggle Works Computer program. Creative writing, book critiques, and book making will enhance the reading experience.

A new and exciting experience for kindergarten, first, and second graders will be offered this summer.  Singing, playing, dancing, and performing will give boys and girls opportunities to entertain classmates and outside groups. Let your child come join the show! Don't wait! Don't be late! Class size is limited.  Watch us shine!

If you like animals and computers, you will love this class. You will get a chance to choose an animal, read and take notes about the animal, and then create a PowerPoint presentation! You will also get to do lots of fun craft projects that will help you learn even more about animals.

Are you interested in learning Sign Language? This class will teach vocabulary, fingerspelling, and the basic skills that are needed to be able to communicate to deaf and hard of hearing people. Students will also be introduced to deaf culture and deaf history while learning this beautiful language.

Take an imaginary vacation around the world. Learn about countries, cultures, crafts and artists through drawing, painting and sculpture.

Students will experience reading and writing original stories, poems, plays, and fables. Puppets and other art works will be made to demonstrate the students' writings, and some students will author their own books!

Students will learn basic stage presence, expression, and interpretation of characters' emotions. They will also work with props, scenery, costumes, and music. Fairy tales, nursery rhymes, and familiar stories will be performed during class time.

Come and join in the fun and excitement of invention! Students will learn how famous inventions were created and all about the inventors who created them. The students joining the Inventor's Club will have the opportunity to invent a vegetable derby car and to apply "reverse engineering" by which students take apart broken appliances to discover how they work. This hands-on course stimulates thinking and creativity through inventive activities such as building structures and completing various designing activities. Students will also "meet" artists such as da Vinci, Seurat, Calder, and Picasso who were known for their inventiveness as well as for their artistry.

Math and Tennis? Kids on the court with a measuring tape? You bet!  Learn perimeter, area, and circumference with tennis as your aid.  All levels of tennis ability are encouraged to join in the fun. Grab a racket and we'll get swinging!

This class is for students who are "masters" at mathematics and are ready to move beyond what is usually taught in grade level curriculum. Get ready to investigate topics in algebra, geometry, money matters, consumerism, measurement, and probability.  Do you already have a favorite topic of your own that you would like to pursue? We'll be using a hands-on approach as we investigate and discover new things about some of the most mesmerizing mathematical matters. The two hour time will be divided as follows:

• Master Mind-Boggler - brainteaser, game, or problem solving to exercise the brain and develop creative thinking.
• Master Explorations -higher level investigations/activities in the unit of study.
• Master Mystery - mini mysteries with seemingly impossible solutions.

How do you say "I'm glad to meet you" in Spanish?  Listening and speaking will establish for students an introduction to oral proficiency. Students will learn to use basic vocabulary, phrases and questions pertinent to everyday life with the emphasis on oral skills needed to communicate. Students will also be introduced to the Hispanic world and will explore its richness while learning to appreciate its value and diversity.

Students will learn art techniques to create crafts using a variety of media. From animals to clay pots, students will create crafts for friends, family, and just plain fun!

Poetry writing like other art forms provides students the opportunity for self-expression. Through poetry writing students will define the world around them, conceptualize it, and capture its ambience.  Poetry writing in the classroom is important for the nurturing of creative thinking, for imagery, for fantasy, and for self-expression. Students in this class will have fun learning about and writing different types of poetry, as well as learning about different types of art to illustrate their poems. They will also exercise the creative side of the brain with daily puzzles that will prove to be both challenging and fun!

An introductory study of environment, plants, and animals in our everyday lives. Visits from Jim Dunlap and his friends will aid in learning. Lots of hands-on activities including outdoor nature studies and games.  

Have you ever wanted to solve a real mystery? Try your skills in solving mysteries. Be a detective and allow your imagination to seek out clues. This course will put your inductive reasoning to work by offering a multi-curriculum approach to problem solving. We will investigate how to dust for fingerprints, create your own mysteries, and discover "who dunnit."

Games and activities with a strong emphasis on basic skills and movements will be offered in this course. Basic skills and strategies will be practiced daily, leading up to activities such as football, basketball, softball, soccer, hockey, and many more. If you have a positive attitude and can model good sportsmanship, this course is for you. Come join the fun!

Working in three dimensions (height, width, depth) means creating sculptures, clay pieces, and weavings. An interesting variety of media will be enjoyed while incorporating each child's unique imagination.

A special two-dimensional (height, width) art class is being offered for students interested in learning painting and drawing from a professional art educator. Children will experiment with many different drawing, painting, and printmaking media.

Do you like to cook and sew? Do you enjoy making crafts?  Would you like to be able to plan parties for your friends and family? Does becoming an officially trained babysitter sound great to you? Do you enjoy field trips? If so, be sure to sign up for this fun-filled, hands-on class.

Join us for a fantastic trip that's "out of this world!" Learn the history of space and flight, explore the planets via computer technology, and assemble and launch your very own "manned" rocket. Come participate in this exciting journey full of hands-on activities. For students who have completed grades 3-5. No exceptions will be made.

The purpose of this investigation is for students to increase their understanding of decimals, fractions, and percents and to enhance their technical skills by researching and making graphs on the computer.  Students will gain a better knowledge of the stock market by participating in this exciting investment simulation.  Lookout Wall Street, here we come!

Take an advanced look into the world of life science in Biology II.  In this course you will use the microscope to examine the fascinating world of micro-organisms. One day each week you will travel to the Bill Holifield Science Learning Center for field studies. Hands-on lab investigations, guest speakers, dissecting, and much more await the future biologist.  Come join the fun and get a head start on middle school life science!  For students who have completed fourth or fifth grade only.   (No exceptions will be made.)

Come be a part of the "Pep" Belles Dance Team!  No experience necessary. Learn what drill and dance teams are all about. This class will teach you stretching techniques, turns, splits, facial expression, poise, discipline, cooperation and more. Learn how to choreograph combinations of steps to music for dance routines to be performed in class. Come feel the beat!

Unsinkable? That's what they said about the Titanic. She did sink over 70 years ago, but you won·t sink next year if you take this class!  Almost every TAKS reading and math objective can be covered while learning about the Titanic and her two sister ships the Britannia and the Olympic!  We'll also practice writing paragraphs. We'll do narrative writing, and you will have no trouble with elaboration as you pretend you are on one of the great ships. How about explaining to someone how to exit a sinking ship that is three city blocks long? Be sure to bring snacks to class because if you decide to join us, you won't want to tackle all of this on an empty stomach!

How does the library help you succeed in school? How do you do research?  How do you study? How do you take tests? This course will pursue a variety of questions such as these. Students will learn how to use the library through fun and interesting hands-on projects. The course also includes learning the vital skills of study and test-taking.  Get a head start on middle school.

This summer an exciting class will be offered to allow the students opportunities to design sets and costumes, sing, dance, and STAR in their own production/performance.  This is sure to be an exciting class for students who have just completed the third, fourth or fifth grade.  An evening play performance will be held at an arts' extravaganza to be held at Skaggs Elementary School.  Don't delay, register today!  Class size is limited.

The purpose of this course is to acquaint students with PowerPoint basics and digital still photography. Students will learn how to create PowerPoint presentations that can be used for a variety of academic applications. Students will learn how to work with text, create drawings, add imported graphics and digital still images, add sound and graphics animation, create charts, tables and graphs, and how to set up and apply Internet hyperlinks in presentations.

Do you love to write, but need additional strategies to develop your stories?  This class will teach you how to add sensory images, emotional thoughts, and descriptive techniques that add personality (or voice) to your writing.  You will also learn a variety of ways to "punch" up your writing with powerful vocabulary and sentence starters.

In this introductory unit, students will explore the exciting frontier of outer space.  Learn about stars, planets, comets, and meteors.  They're WAY out there!  Students will explore the heavens through hands-on activities and investigations.  If you have ever wanted to be an astronaut or explore space, this is the place for you!

Taking an advanced look at the solar system, students are given hands-on activities and investigations to learn about stars, planets, comets, meteors and the forces that cause them to interact.  It will be out of this world!

This course is an introductory study of the forces that shaped the Earth.  Using clues from the study of plate tectonics, volcanoes, earthquakes, and weather patterns, trace the history of our Earth.  Students will use hands-on activities and investigations to uncover the Earth's secrets.

Take an advanced look into the forces that shaped the earth.  Students will discover the mysteries of Pangaea through hands-on activities and investigations.  Take an in-depth look at plate tectonics, earthquakes, volcanoes, and aspects of weather that affect the Earth on a global scale and make predictions about the Earth's future.

Summer Institute for Gifted and Talented Students (SIGS)

The Summer Institute for Gifted and Talented Students challenges students currently in the PACE program grades 1-7. Elementary students (grades 1-4) will select and participate in three 75-minute classes. Classes include simulations, math, science, Caldecott stories, creative writing, foreign languages, art, drama, project builder and multimedia project construction. The middle school program (grades 5-7) includes courses such as humanities, science, mathematics, social sciences, and/or computer training.

The program is located at Robinson Middle School, 6701 Preston Meadow Drive, Gulledge Elementary, 6801 Preston Meadow Drive, and Murphy Middle School, 620 N. Murphy Road.  The dates are June 16 through July 11 from 8:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. Tuition is $280 and may be paid with cash, money order, cashier's check, Master Card, Visa, Discover, or American Express card. No personal checks will be accepted.

The Student Registration Form will be sent home with the student in March or may be obtained from the home school PACE teacher. The deadline for registration is May 9.

Transportation is provided from the student's home campus. Bus schedules will be sent home with the students the last week of the 2007-08 school year. For more information contact your child's PACE teacher.

Plano Academy of Learning (PAL)

The Plano Academy of Learning (PAL) is for students in grades K through 5. PISD students are invited to attend this program that targets instruction for acceleration of skills in reading, writing and/or math.  Students who qualify for this focused instruction will be recommended for the program by their teacher.  Recommendation letters will be sent to parents in early spring. Enrollment in this program is limited to students currently attending school in Plano ISD. The program is located at four different elementary schools. The locations are McCall Elementary, 6601 Cloverhaven Way; Mendenhall Elementary, 1313 18th Street; Centennial Elementary, 2609 Ventura Lane; and Bethany Elementary, 2418 Micarta.

Students will attend the PAL location based on the school attended during the 2007-2008 school year.

The dates for all four PAL programs are June 10 through July 3 from 7:45 a.m. until 11:45 a.m. Tuition is $190 and may be paid with cash, money order, cashier's check, Master Card, Visa, Discover, or American Express card.  No personal checks will be accepted. The Student Registration Form will be sent home with the student. Out of district students cannot register for this program.

Transportation is provided from the student's home campus. Bus schedules will be sent home with the students the last week of the 2007-08 school year.  For more information contact your student's teacher.

Special Education

Special Education offers the following programs.

• Camp Tejas for students with special needs grades K-8, is an innovative program primarily for  students with significant disabilities. This program uses a camp-like format to enhance communication and independence through a variety of activities.
• Strategic Reading, for students in grades 1-5, is a continuous progress reading program for students currently receiving special education services and who experience difficulty learning to  read and write.

For detailed information about special education programs please contact your child's special education teacher. 

Bilingual / ESL

Bilingual/ESL programs are designed to meet the needs of students with limited English proficiency.  

In the prekindergarten summer school program, instruction will focus on language development, academic and social skills. The kindergarten program is designed to develop language and to accelerate academic skills in reading, writing and math.  Both of these programs are free for Limited English Proficient students who will be entering a kindergarten or a first grade bilingual/ESL class in the fall of 2008. The prekindergarten program and the kindergarten program will be held at Dooley Elementary School, Harrington Elementary School and Weatherford Elementary School. Breakfast and lunch are provided free of charge. Summer classes are from 8:30 a.m. until 2:30 p.m. Transportation will be provided. The teacher will send home a registration application for students currently enrolled in the prekindergarten or kindergarten program.  

Students new to Plano schools that have been identified as LEP and have enrolled for kindergarten or for first grade in the fall of 2008 may pick up an application in the school office when registering for the 2008-2009 school year.

For more information, contact the bilingual or ESL teacher at the student's home campus.