Building Connections to People and Places

Summer Learning for THINK Togther students at Harriet Eddy Middle School in Elk Grove begins every morning with a team building exercise. It’s now the third week of program and our student leaders take charge of their small-group team and lead them through chants and fast paced activities to get everyone’s blood pumping. A supportive web of teachers, administrators and THINK staff work hard to facilitate these and other activities that build a nurturing, collaborative culture. The team spirit carries throughout the day as kids work together on various projects they have selected based on their interests (arts club, robotics lab, life science).  It feels like summer camp when students gather to hold announcements and set their collective goals for a day and week of outdoor fun and experiential learning.

A successful transition to middle school has been identified as a predictor of future academic achievement. For many of the students we serve, the middle school years are filled with anything but positive experiences; school safety, discipline and behavioral issues present serious impediments to learning. The Search Institute has identified 40 developmental assets that adolescents need to grow up healthy and become caring, responsible adults. These building blocks include connections to caring adults outside the family, engagement with learning opportunities outside the school, self-esteem and a sense of belonging to your school and or community.

THINK Together’s summer program helps keep middle school youth engaged in their education at a time when many students are beginning to disengage from school. With the use tools and curriculum such as Fulcrum C.R.A.T.E. our staff have been trained to empower students, enhance their confidence and build math, literacy and leadership skills. Throughout the day, they provide developmentally appropriate activities and incentives and build peer-leadership opportunities. At Harriet, one group of students took the lead in organizing a contest to see which team can learn the most words in the academic vocabulary list.

At the end of the first week, over 500 Elk Grove students visited the San Francisco Exploratorium, one of 3 field trips sites our students will visit this summer.  The Exploratorium, located in the historic Palace of Fine Arts, includes a wide range of hands-on exhibits relating to biology, physics, listening, cognition, and visual perception. The field trip experience complemented the classroom-related learning activities and just as importantly, gave students the opportunity to engage first-hand with an important cultural asset in their community.

One of key measurable objectives of the THINK summer learning program is help students develop a sense of belonging, a connection to their school, a feeling of optimism about their place in the world. A few days into the program we received this parent testimonial as evidence that we are making progress towards our goal

“My son, Matthew talks about much he enjoys his classes and his teachers. This is such an amazing turnaround from his difficult 7^th grade year. The THINK program is really making Matthew

Think differently about school and his future. Thank you to all the teachers and administrators who encourage the students with a positive attitude and positive reinforcement. Thank you to all the teachers who make those nice compliments. Matthew is so proud that his art teacher stopped to look at his art project and told him how great it is. Matthew will take that comment with him the rest of his life. This is just one example of many. Thank you everyone for doing such an excellent job!”

From Summer School to Summer Learning

My summer school experiences, unlike other cherished childhood memories, are not ones I revisit frequently. When searching for vestiges of that time, the images that surface in my mind are of long days inside a frigid portable classroom, a deserted campus and indifferent classmates. As a recent arrival to the US, I attended summer school to catch up to my peers. The hours ticked slowly towards our collective goal of cramming a semester’s worth of material into a few short (yet endless) weeks. Eventually, summer school helped me to catch up but did little to foster a love of learning or give me a new way of seeing the world.

When THINK Together began planning summer in Santa Ana, the program in place was much like the one I remember from my school days: a curriculum focused on core skills in English Language Arts and math, many of the students identified in need of remediation. Summer learning loss, especially for those already lagging academically, is well documented. Academic supports during those months matter greatly but just as important is how you deliver those supports. THINK Together believes that when students and their families are fully engaged in the summer experience, when learning is disguised as fun, the results add up to more than the hard-earned rewards of completed vocabulary and math worksheets.

Working closely with the schools and families we serve, THINK Together developed a new paradigm for summer learning. Our blended model incorporates a standards-based curriculum designed by schools (with input from teachers and parents) and delivered by teachers. Our staff complements classroom instruction with varied, project-based enrichment components that include a good dosage of outdoor physical activity.  Our goal is to build academic skills but also to inspire a love of learning through opportunities to get your hands dirty, express ideas, get your heart racing and explore new concepts.

Last year, students who selected “Night at the Museum” as their summer theme had the opportunity to make first-hand connections between classroom learning and the mummies at the Bowers Museum.  Our CATCH curriculum challenged students to engage in vigorous exercise and rewarded them with a visit to an LA Galaxy practice and lesson from pro-soccer players on health and fitness. Prior to seeing an award-winning Broadway show, students participated in workshops to help them appreciate and understand the content and work behind the production. Students also met the artists and asked questions about their performance, roles and careers.

With the Smarter Summers grant, we are replicating and expanding the blended summer learning model pioneered in Santa Ana to communities in Los Angeles, San Diego and Sacramento. Our Super Hero Learning Adventure will provide additional project-based opportunities using a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) curriculum. Our staff will help students will apply critical thinking and problem solving skills to reinforce and extend academic concepts presented by teachers. An afternoon session may include time in the Lego robotics lab, a chance to extract DNA from an onion or a visit to the Science Center. And especially important for middle school students, our program includes an array of individual and team leadership activities designed to foster a sense of belonging – a key marker in the path to healthy youth development.

Years after my summer school experience, I got my hands on cool equipment and tested Newton’s Laws by building a rocket during my high school physics class. In the process, I began to seriously consider a career in science and went on to pursue an engineering degree (thank you Mr. Jones!).  THINK Together’s blended model does more than build core skills. It ignites the imagination and gives children hands-on experiences that open new paths to learning. When asked what he learned during summer, one of our 5^th grade students told us “What I learned about is planes, reading and more. This week Ms. Torre showed us a plane that we could make. We learned that a plane has 7 parts. It has a wingtips, rudder, propellers, wings, fuselage, body, elevators and motor. We also learned about space. We also learned dance new moves and great tips.” Years from now, she may have summer school to thank for her career in aerospace.

Summer Learning Program Builds Self-Esteem

By Deena Ledesma, parent and teacher

As a parent and teacher in the San Diego Unified School District (SDUSD), I can tell you that I have been delighted with the summer program offered at Lewis Middle School by the district and THINK Together. I know what solid programs look like; I teach in grades K-2 and have a master’s in special education, as well as two additional teaching credentials in progress.  I couldn’t be a bigger advocate for this program based on just the experiences my son, Adam, has had in his first week. 

Adam isn’t like other students his age.  A gifted and talented student, he is articulate and extremely goal oriented.  In fact, he and I are currently training for a half marathon!  Adam wasn’t enthusiastic about attending summer school.  Our pact was that he would attend for one day and then we’d render a decision that was best for him.  From that first day, he was hooked!  In fact, on the first day, I asked one of the THINK Together staff, “How did Adam do?”  She replied with a big smile, “Adam is a wonderful child.”  When Adam heard that, he beamed.  Because of Adam’s experiences at Lewis Middle, he asked that I have him transferred there this fall. 

Each night, Adam is full of excitement about what he has learned in the academic portion of the program.  He’s told me that what he likes best about the program is that the staff make learning fun and memorable. His favorite time at school each day is spent in clubs, in which the students analyze music and films and produce their own original work.  In fact, he was busy working on the plot of a movie last week and is eager to get it finished!

As a parent, I appreciate that the program is structured and well organized with a wide range of activities for students.  As a parent of a gifted child, this is very important for my son because he bores easily and needs constant challenges.  As a goal oriented student, Adam thrives when he is tasked with putting all of his creative energy into producing his best quality work.  I like that this program gives students many hands-on learning experiences that have broad application. 

For instance, we had a very thoughtful discussion the other night about the music club and Rapp music.  By analyzing the lyrics of some songs, he realized that not all Rapp music is bad.  And, he was impressed that the program gave students the opportunity to examine lyrics of popular songs and express their opinions. This is a very different process for him, as he is transitioning to middle school this fall and was previously attending an elementary school.  This one exercise opened his perspective and helped him to realize that you can’t “judge a book by its cover.”  A simple, life-long lesson taught through a hands-on example.

As a teacher, I appreciate that the program is based on the state standards and is structured through the collaboration of fellow credentialed teachers and staff from THINK Together who are committed to giving students a memorable summer experience.

My thanks to the Walmart Foundation for their vision to support programs like this one.  Our students need more excellent programs like the one that Lewis Middle School and THINK Together are running in our local community.

Shaping Tomorrow’s Workforce

Purposeful training & a focus on core values make THINK Together’s model a standout among extended learning time program providers

CynDee Zanes, chief program officer

We have all heard the adage that you never have a second chance to make a first impression.  That statement holds true for employers, especially those who hire young professionals who are in college or are recent graduates.  How we treat our employees, the expectations we establish for their behavior and performance, and the training we provide them on the job helps to shape the careers – even the character and workplace ethics – of these young workers.   As the state’s largest non-profit provider of extended learning time programs, THINK Together embraces this opportunity.  To date, the organization employs 2,300 employees, many of whom are program leaders who are current college students or recent graduates. 

The organizational culture, which is value-driven and stresses service above self, blossomed from the organization’s name.  The acronym stands for Teaching, Helping, Inspiring and Nurturing Kids.  The focus of all efforts is on ensuring that every student has a positive learning experience in a THINK Together program.  For the past five years, THINK Together has purposefully worked on a structured on-boarding, training and professional development program to ensure that each and every program leader, who works directly with children and teens at schools across California, is equipped with the knowledge, skills and resources to provide students with a positive extended learning time experience. 

Core values rule

In addition to the organizational core values that underpin decision-making and the workplace culture, THINK Together is a learning organization.  Just as students are respected as individuals and are recognized as having their own, unique learning style, so too are employees prized for their individuality and talents.  The organization makes efforts to challenge employees, giving them opportunities to try on new responsibilities within a culture that allows for failure and learning.  Just as we Teach, Help, Inspire and Nurture students, we also see that we do the same for young employees.  Our obligation is to support them in learning more about themselves, their gifts and the contributions they can make to the organization and the lives of the children and teens they touch.

Moreover, every full-time employee is certified in The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People program.  These principles frame every action and decision.   Emphasis is placed on win-win, respect for self and others and collaboration. 

Unified process

From the first day of on-boarding, employees and students alike learn to use the KWL process – What do we KNOW?  What do we WANT to know? What did we LEARN?  This process recognizes that each person brings knowledge and skills to each learning situation.  The KWL process celebrates teaming and is designed to bring out the best ideas and solutions whether that be from a group of new hires or from a group of students.   

THINK Together also maintains a commitment to continuous quality improvement and is a data-driven, evaluation-based organization.  Quality assurance coaches work alongside site coordinators and program leaders to ensure that daily lessons and academic enrichment activities align with each school district’s identified standards and learning goals.  This commitment to assessment is an important life lesson for young employees.  They learn, in a supportive culture, that ongoing assessment is essential for excellence.  By being introduced to this concept early in their careers, they don’t fear it but embrace it with the understanding that assessment (self assessment, performance assessment, etc.) is critical to personal and professional growth and goal attainment.  As a result, THINK Together’s programs are founded on a circular personnel and program evaluation process – which begins with goal setting and assessment, includes training and coaching, more assessment and goal refinement. 

The ripple effect:  win-win for all involved

School administrators, teachers, parents and students give THINK Together’s summer and extended learning time programs high marks for program satisfaction – both in terms of the quality of the program and in the professionalism of staff.  THINK Together staff treat students with respect and model the organizational core values, and they model the same behavior with peers , district partners and parents.  The more than 20 hours of purposeful, focused  training for program leaders (and the ongoing education provided through a workplace learning portal) ensures that THINK Together provides quality academically-oriented programs in a caring culture that supports student success.

Learn more about THINK Together’s summer learning and extended learning time programs at www.THINKTogether.org

Summer Learning = Summer Fun!

Lora Rivas, 8^th grade Language Arts Teacher

Harriett Eddy Middle School, Elk Grove USD

Keeping students engaged is one of the biggest challenges I face each day as an 8^th grade teacher.  Yet, my students in the summer learning program offered by THINK Together, had fun while taking part in lessons that underscored grade-level standards. No one was bored!  Not even me! In fact, my students were so engaged that I had trouble pulling them away from assignments to move onto other tasks. 

Most important, the curriculum was fun for students. The Walk Through Time curriculum, developed by THINK Together, integrated Language Arts, history, and pop culture spanning the 1920s through the 1980s. Elk Grove USD teachers determined the grade-level standards that would be the focus of the four-week program.  Then, using a multimedia tool new to us (but used by THINK Together), called Glogster, we created lessons that integrated the priority standards with the theme. 

Each day, students received 50 minutes of classroom instruction from a credentialed teacher and took part in hands-on learning activities and field trips – tied to theme - led by THINK Together staff.  Several times per week, students met in “clubs” organized around music, film and fashion.  During “club” time, they researched songs, musical groups, fashions, fashion designers, films, and producers/directors from their favorite decade, examining the lyrics, learning about the leading performers of the period, analyzing fashion trends, film themes – the pop culture icons of that decade. 

All of the writing, reading and research pertaining to each student’s favorite decade culminated with the development of a Glog – an online multimedia poster.  My students loved this activity!  The Glogs contained music clips, photos from the period, imbedded video, and data. In addition, every poster included short narratives on at least one film maker, fashion designer and/or musician/musical group that was iconic during that decade. 

On the final two days of summer school, the students presented their Glogs with great pride.  The THINK Together/Elk Grove USD summer program was a huge success.  We took one of the hardest populations of students to teach in the summer – hormone- charged, emotional, fidgety young teens in middle school – and gave them a rich, rewarding learning experience. 

I can’t wait for next summer and the exciting program that THINK Together and Elk Grove USD will provide our community.

Click Here for a video about a day with THINK at Elk Grove

THINK Together earns prestigious LA84 Foundation Grant

Grants from private foundations and private philanthropy are critical to THINK Together’s ability to provide quality programs statewide to students.   Private philanthropy also funds special enrichment activities that would otherwise not be available to all students.  Thanks to the generosity of the LA84 Foundation, a private non-profit foundation created out of the 1984 Los Angeles Olympics which is dedicated to advancing youth sports, THINK Together received a $76,000 grant to provide after-school sports programs at 16 middle schools in the Baldwin Park and Bassett Unified School Districts, and in the El Rancho, South Whittier and Little Lake City School Districts.  Since the foundation’s inception, the organization has donated more than $200 million to Southern California communities, touching the lives of more than 2 million children in over 1,000 local sports programs.

THINK Together to Participate in 5th Annual Los Angeles Homewalk 2011



THINK Students and their banner for Homewalk 2010



On Saturday November 19^th, THINK Together will participate in the 5^th Annual United Way Los Angeles Homewalk 2011 to end homelessness in Los Angeles County, with more than 500 participants expected to join the cause on behalf of THINK Together. This will be THINK Together’s fifth time participating in this event since its inception, and is usually one of the event’s largest group of walkers. Over the past four years, Homewalk has had more than 18,000 participants, raised $1.7 million and funded organizations that have put nearly 9,000 people into housing. This year marks the first time Kobe Bryant will serve as Honorary Chair of Homewalk 2011, and the first year the event will be a run/walk. Bryant and his wife, who have a deep interest in the plight of homeless youth and families, have created the Kobe & Vanessa Bryant Family Foundation, which is dedicated to having an impact on the issue of youth homelessness in Los Angeles.

Those who sign up with the THINK Together team do not have to pay a registration fee, although donations to the cause are highly encouraged. To sign up with THINK Together and join the event free of charge, please visit www.homewalkla.org and click on register on the top. You must then select to ‘Join a Team’ and select THINK Together from the drop down menu available. Participants will then be required to register their information with Homewalk 2011, and use the partner code uwpartner11 under ‘United Way Partners’ to walk the event free of charge for the THINK Together team. All registrations must be processed online before the event. If you are walking with a children under 18, please register them online prior to the event, and bring the completed registration form signed by an adult to check-in.

THINK Together currently has more than 400 kids and 60 adults planning on registered to attend Homewalk 2011, just short of our goal of 500! We urge volunteers to come forward to join our winning team and support and this very worthy cause. There are about 100 spots still available and it’s not too late to sign up!

The event takes place on Saturday November 19^th at Exposition Park in Los Angeles. Check-in opens at 7:00 a.m., with the opening program at 8:30 a.m. and the run/walk beginning at 9:00 a.m. 

 Please visit http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=302220113124637 for more information!

THINK Together named 2011 Hero In Education by Lake Elsinore USD

On Thursday October 20^th, 2011, THINK Together was awarded the 2011 Hero in Education Award by the Lake Elsinore Unified School District (LEUSD) for their continued outstanding work in the region. The award honors individuals and organizations that have made and continue to make significant and lasting contributions to the Lake Elsinore educational community. THINK Together has been a district partner for more than five years, and currently serves nearly 1,000 children at seven elementary and three middle schools. The entire THINK Together Lake Elsinore staff and THINK Founder/CEO Randy Barth attended the awards ceremony; all staff were present on stage to accept the award.

The LEUSD is considered to be one of the most successful K-12 school districts in the state in closing the achievement gap, and has been recognized by Education Trust-West for their work in student achievement. THINK Together programs are an integral part of the district’s strategy to sustain high achievement. When students attend THINK Together programs aligned with the instructional day, they excel academically. Learn more at www.THINKtogether.org.

Click here for more pictures of 2011 Hero Award from LEUSD