Johnstown, PA (May 12, 2022) – Child care programs across Pennsylvania are in crisis as staffing shortages, rising costs, and the aftermath of a two-year pandemic leave them scrambling to meet the needs of children and families. When centers are understaffed, teachers are left without time to plan. When lesson plans are missing or patched together, children are less engaged, learning time is lost, and behavior problems increase.
Best Day Ever! aims to reduce these problems by offering easy-to-access, turn-key summer camp lesson plans that use readily available, affordable materials. These quality plans are written by teachers for teachers. They include a daily schedule, high-interest topics, and standards-aligned activities that have been tested by children. The plans are offered in week-long themed units. Six preschool and six school-age will be available to all licensed child care programs in Pennsylvania this summer at no cost. The lessons were written and tested by The Learning Lamp, a leading provider of out-of-school time learning in west central Pennsylvania. The Learning Lamp will offer all 12 Best Day Ever! units for FREE through August 2022.
“These well-designed preschool and school-age summer camp lesson plans use supplies most child care programs already have on hand,” said Leah Spangler, Ed.D., president and CEO of The Learning Lamp. “Lessons are aligned with common core standards, ensuring students reinforce concepts taught over the school year. And when high-quality contents are available to all child care programs at little or no cost, all children benefit—regardless of income or where they live.”
Teachers and directors are encouraged to visit https://thelearninglamp.org/shared-services-child-care-providers/best-day-ever/ to register and gain access to Best Day Ever! lesson plans. Each weekly themed unit features high-interest topics, engaging hands-on activities, and opportunities for children to practice concepts in science, technology, engineering, art, and math (STEAM). All lessons are aligned with PA Early Learning and Academic Standards and Common Core Standards.
Since 2006, teachers at The Learning Lamp have created their own lesson plans for summer camp. In recent years, each teacher would focus on one or two weeks and share the plans across all programs. Best Day Ever! grew of that process. Development of the curriculum was funded, in part, by Community Foundation for the Alleghenies and in partnership with the Early Childhood Education (ECE) Professional Development Organization (PDO) at the Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education (PASSHE).
In exchange for free access to Best Day Ever!, The Learning Lamp invites participating child care organizations to provide feedback and recommendations through a survey for each lesson they use. When a survey is completed, the user will be automatically entered into a drawing to win a $200 Amazon gift card at the end of the summer.
The Learning Lamp is a nonprofit organization with a mission to engage all children in the support they need to succeed. We deliver high-quality programs that are affordable and accessible to families of all income levels. In 2021, The Learning Lamp served 28,160 youth/adults from 51 school districts and 69 other schools and organizations in 19 Pennsylvania counties. Our programs include: child care and preschool, after school programs, tutoring, SAT prep, online learning, credit recovery, alternative education and specialized classrooms for at-risk students, trauma support groups for children/families, temporary staffing, and grant writing and project consulting for schools.
@thelearninglamp:Ready to make a positive impact in the classroom? Ignite Education Solutions is hiring a part-time Substitute Personal Care Aide to work in the Greater Johnstown Area School District. Benefits include training and development opportunities and more! When school is off, you're off! Candidates must have a high school diploma and the ability to pass clearances. Apply online today at http://tiny.cc/4v3avz
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