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Summer Programs 2024 - Summer Learning Spark

Prince George’s County Public Schools (PGCPS) Summer Programs offer opportunities for acceleration, enrichment, intervention, credit recovery or original credit. These programs will be offered at no cost, either in-person, virtually or hybrid. Use this site as a guide to review the available options and learn how to participate. Each card below links to a unique opportunity in PGCPS. The role of students, parents, and community members is also outlined to ensure that students have a fun-packed summer while developing skills that will propel them into the school year!

PGCPS Sponsored Summer Programs

Elementary school.

Programs for Grades K-8

Middle School

Programs for Middle Grades and K-8

High School

Programs for Grades 9-12

Summer Programs with Transportation

Prince george’s county summer youth opportunities, prince george's county library systems summer learning adventure, prince george's county library system kid events, area summer youth programs.

Looking for something good to read? Maybe you need to find a book for class or you want to explore new genres like comic books or nonfiction.

Summer Learning Tips

School readiness guide booklets.

The School Readiness Guides provide parents with grade level readiness expectations for what students should know and be able to do at the end of each grade level. The core skills and standards that students should practice over the summer and are targeted in our summer programs have been highlighted.

How District Level Staff Support Students During the Summer

PGCPS Staff: Get Ready for the School Year. Whether you’re a teacher, administrator or central office employee, use this summer to reinforce teaching and learning strategies in preparation for the new school year.

Mental Health Services

The health and wellness of students and staff is a top priority in PGCPS. Mental health plays a key role in overall wellness and greatly impacts performance in school and at work. Learn more about mental health and the many resources available to help.

Student Service Learning Opportunities

Service learning is a year round opportunity. Click to explore the different ways you can get involved.

Contact Information

High school summer learning.

Tamra Sease

[email protected]

301-952-6585

Please send all questions and concerns via email.  All emails will be addressed within 24-48 hours after receipt.

Middle School Intervention  

Marson Richardson

Maryam Thomas [email protected]

301-952-6584

Special Education Extended School Year

Beth diaite or marsie torchon [email protected].

301-431-5675

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Home > Holiday Worksheets > Summer

The following collection of worksheets contains a number of short reading passages covering topics associated with summer events, such as vacation destinations, why it gets hotter, finding a job, and more! Two separate answer sheets are associated with each passage. One is a multiple choice worksheet and the other is a short-answer worksheet. Instructors may choose to use either or both question sheets (answer keys are provided for all). The season of Flip Flops is also a time when the Eiffel tower grows up to a half foot taller. Yeah, iron likes to expand when its heated. We enjoy more daylight, but at the cost of a higher temperature.

Get Free Worksheets In Your Inbox!

Print summer worksheets, click the buttons to print each worksheet and associated answer key., how long is your summer break.

In the United States, there is no standard summer break, nor are there a set number of school days required per year. US schools have an average of 180 instructional days per school year.

How Long? Multiple Choice

Most schools in the US have a summer break from mid-June through August, resuming school shortly after Labor Day in September.

How Long Free Response

Why do some experts object to the extended summer break?

10 Things you should do in the Summer (before you grow up) - Reading Passage

Students spend much of the school year looking forward to summer break. It is a time of freedom from classrooms, homework, and teachers.

Before You Grow Up Multiple Choice Questions

Summer is a great time to do things that you can’t do in other seasons because of weather conditions.

Things About Summer Free Response

Flying a kite is more than just running and releasing. Find out how lift, velocity, and weight all affect how the kite will launch.

How to find a Summer Job Reading Worksheet

The first step is to consider your skills. What are you good at? Do you have any special talents or training? Now think about how those things might be a benefit to someone.

Summer Job Multiple Choice Questions

Once you have decided on what you want to provide to customers, create a colorful, informative flyer. Make sure to include your name and telephone number, as well as what services you are offering.

How to find a Job Free Response

Remember to dress neatly and wash up before going out to sell your services. First impressions are very important!

Great Places to go over Your Summer Vacation - Reading Passage

Summer vacation is a time when many families choose to take vacations. Without the constraints of the shorter school breaks, plans can be more flexible and vacations may be extended.

Great Places Multiple Choice Questions

Summer is also a good time to visit Alaska. The usually frigid temperatures become comfortable and warm. Cooler temperatures are still evident near the tops of higher mountains, but in general, daytime temperatures average in the 60s.

Great Places Free Response

Several states host State Fairs during the summer months. These events usually have rides, exhibits, concerts, and lots of delicious food.

What Happens at Summer School? - Reading Passage

Summer school is a program, usually within a school district, that offers classes for students during the summer break.

What Happens at School? - Quiz

Remedial summer school is often structured in half-day sessions, with classes in the morning and afternoon with a lunch break midway through the day.

School Short Answer Questions

Over the years, academic summer school's purpose has evolved. At first, in the 1950s, it was used to counter low academic achievement.

Why is it so Hot in the Summer? Reading Worksheet

Many people think that the Earth's temperature is only related to the rotation of the Earth around the Sun.

Why is it so Hot? - Quiz

Orbit alone is not responsible for hot summers. The Earth's axis is important as well.

Why is it so Hot? Free Response

When the sun’s rays hit the Earth at a steep angle, they don't spread out very much and are more concentrated on one spot.

Why are there More Hours of Daylight in the Summer?

Have you noticed that in the winter some of us have to get up early and it is still dark? Sometimes it is dark before suppertime as well!

Extra Daylight Quiz

The Earth circumnavigates the Sun, but it is not perpendicular within its orbit. A 23.45° tilt in the Earth's axis causes the Sun’s rays to hit the Earth at different angles during its orbit.

More Daylight Free Response

Twice a year, the Sun is directly above the Earth's equator. These days are called equinoxes.

Why are there so many more Wildfires? reading Worksheet

Wildfires are nature's method for recycling. The fire replenishes nutrients into the soil and stimulates new growth. Fires eliminate excessive woody shrubs, fallen needles, and other dead plant materials to allow new plants to grow.

Wildfires Quiz

Unfortunately, many naturally occurring wildfires are interrupted or eliminated. They are viewed as a threat to humans.

Wildfires Free Response

Allowing natural fires in unpopulated areas to burn themselves out naturally could help to decrease the overall incidence of wildfires.

Thunder and Lightning Storms More Probable in Summer - Reading Passage

Thunderstorms need moisture and rapidly rising warm air to develop. These conditions occur in tandem more frequently in the summer months.

Thunder and Lightning Quiz

Humid air contains a high amount of water vapor. Solar heating, changes in air pressure, or the meeting of air streams may lead to warm, humid air being lifted.

Thunder and Lightning Free Response Worksheet

When a meteorologist talks about the clouds, you might hear him mention cumulonimbus. These are the clouds that produce thunderstorms.

Protect Yourself from Bug Bites Reading Worksheet

Insects are prevalent in the summer months, and more than just being annoying, some of them can bite or sting.

Bug Bites Quiz

The most common summer insect is the mosquito. Mosquitoes feed on the blood of animals and humans because the blood provides the necessary proteins for females to lay eggs.

Bug Bites Free Response

Ticks are parasites that feed on the blood of animals and humans as well. Their bite may be pain free, but they may spread diseases, including Lyme disease.

How To Get Ahead In School Over The Summer

For most students, summer is the break they earn after a long session of tiring schedules, weekly quizzes, exams, and whatnot. It is a well-deserved relaxation treat to regain composure in life and routine.

However, some over-achievers and parents of such students cannot sit and do nothing all summer long; they need the right balance to smoothen the transition in August. For them, we bring you these tips to excel at school over this period of time.

Five Ways to Get Ahead in School

1. Preparation Of Standardized Tests

Whether you are a high-schooler who would soon appear for their SATs or middle schoolers working your way into high school, your brain needs stimulation. This summer, you can prepare for the standardized prep tests to increase your score. You might not be able to do that once the year gets into full swing.

2. Take Advanced Placement Classes

There might be a full fall schedule where you will not get enough time even to breathe. To avoid such situations in the future, high-schoolers must opt for extra credit classes during this window of time. Although these are courses you will study in college, there is no harm in getting up to date with your favorite subjects.

3. Summer Internships

Volunteering and internships are your go-to move if you are tired of the school rituals and need a breather but do not want to be unproductive. Many companies, nonprofit organizations, community centers, and even religious centers are looking for eager students who would like to help society somehow.

Registering with such organizations and working under them can expand your network and build a resume. Similarly, internships in the relevant field of your choice can significantly impact your career choices.

It can help refine your goals and concentrate on the critical points that need more attention. In the long run, when you compete with the graduates of the same CGPA as yours, this activity can provide you an edge and experience against other candidates.

4. Take On Daunting Subjects

This summer, review the materials of the subjects which were hard to understand during the year. It is imperative to start a year with no ambiguities from the last one. After reviewing work from the previous year and improving the mistakes you made, it is time to take on the syllabus for the following year. Do read ahead of the classes and complete your vacation homework.

5. Prepare For College

This tip is for students entering senior year. The year is one of the most hectic ones. With only a single year left to increase your grades, work on extracurricular activities, write a personal statement, give your SATs, and choose the right program, all can be excruciatingly stressful. To manage all things is a hassle and will be less productive.

It is a helpful tip to choose the colleges you would apply to and reach out to their admissions department with your unofficial transcript and resume. The counselors there can let you know the specifications needed in your application profile, and you can work together on the admission process.

This can not only be for fun and trips. It can also be the chance to grow academically. It just depends on your choices.

What is Summer?

If you are unfamiliar with the use of this term or are secondary or tertiary English language speaker, this may be an unfamiliar term and might seem like slang.

You love holidays, don't you? Then you must be desperately waiting for those warm vacations! We do we get holidays in that season, but do you know what this season is all about? Let's take a look!

This hot season is one of the four seasons that occur around the year. Among the four seasons, it is the hottest season of the year. This season is when the people have to face the scorching heat of the Sun.

During this season, the days are longer, and the nights are shorter. Mostly, it occurs in the northern and southern parts of the Earth. In the Northern parts, the summer season ranges from April to September while in the Southern region, the season occurs from December to March months.

During the summer season, people enjoy going to the beach and visiting cool places. Eating different varieties of fruits such as watermelon, mangoes, grapes, and vegetables like cucumbers to beat the heat. People go out to visit different places with their families during this season most of all.

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How To Finish Summer Homework Assignments: 14 Tips To Save Your Child’s Summer

• July 19, 2018

Many schools assign homework for students to complete before they return to class in September. This results in both parents and students having to learn how to finish summer reading and homework while balancing fun summer activities.

This summer, school is out and homework is in.

If your child has been putting off a pile of summer homework and reading assignments—he or she is not alone.

Reading books and writing assignments during the summer may not sound appealing to many students—or parents. Students can also get UK homework help if they need the some help with completing their assignment! But summer assignments are a great way to combat the effects of Summer Learning Loss and keep your child’s brain active over the break.

The Facts On Summer Learning Loss

Six weeks in the fall are spent re-learning old material Two months of reading skills are lost over the summer One month of overall learning is lost after summer vacation

With the right mindset, goals, and structure, you’ll have no problem finishing summer reading and homework between BBQ’s, ball games, and beach trips.

Follow these 14 steps to learn how to complete summer homework—without sacrificing summer fun.

14 Tips For Finishing Your Summer Homework Assignments

Make a game plan, tip 1: take a (quick) break.

It’s hard to go from a full year of schoolwork to tackling summer homework right off the bat. Let your child take a week off of homework at the start of the summer. This will give his or her brain a chance to relax and reset, and enjoy taking part in fun summer activities like sports.

Tip 2: Review Project Requirements

Don’t have your child dive head-first into his or her homework assignments. Review the expectations of each project with your child and discuss how much time he or she will need to complete them.

It would be a shame to waste time redoing a project because your child didn’t understand it initially. Reviewing all requirements is an important first step to starting off on the right foot.

Tip 3: Break Down Each Project Into A Series of Goals

Think about which assignments will take the longest and what your child will need to complete them during the summer. Break these larger assignments into a series of goals that need to be met to complete the project.

Examples of goals include “read 2 chapters per week” or “write essay introduction by July 15th”.

Set Aside The Right Amount Of Time

Tip 4: plan a weekly summer homework schedule.

This should be similar to a school year homework schedule, but altered for the summer. T he ideal amount of time to spend doing summer homework per week is 2-3 hours , so figure out where that time fits into your child’s average summer week.

Tip 5: Make A List Of Supplies & Resources

Your summer adventures could take you and your child to a wide variety of places. Make sure you both know what to bring with you so your child can tackle homework when not at home.

Examples of supplies include:

• Textbooks or Assigned Novels

Tip 6: Choose Assignment Topics Based On Interest, Not Length

Sometimes students are given options when it comes to topics to research or books to read over the summer. Encourage your child to make these decisions based on the topics that interests him or her most—not which is “easiest”. This will result in your child enjoying his or her work, and allow him to benefit more from it.

Help Your Child Do Work On-The-Go

Tip 7: adjust your homework schedule for trips & vacations.

Exploring new places is an amazing learning experience, so don’t feel like you should sacrifice them for more homework time. Instead, plan your child’s homework schedule around these day trips and vacations.

If you know your child won’t have time to complete work while you’re away on a longer trip, make up those hours in the weeks before and after your trip.

Tip 8: Tackle The Work Your Child Can Do On-The-Go

While writing an essay is a project to save for when you return home, there are assignments that your child can tackle from just about anywhere. Options for homework to do on vacation include projects that are doable in small chunks—like reading a book or completing a math worksheet.

Tip 9: Bring Your Child’s Supplies With You

Remember that supplies list you created? Make sure you pack that backpack and bring it with you on your trip! It’d be a waste to find a spare hour to finish that math assignment, only to realize your child left his or her calculator at home.

Tip 10: Capitalize On The Quiet Times

Even the busiest trips include some quiet time. If you’re early for a dinner reservation, have your child complete a chapter of reading while you wait. Or, encourage your child to wake up 20 minutes early to answer some math questions without disruption.

Build A Support Team For Your Child

Tip 11: schedule a weekly workdate for your child & a friend.

There’s no reason your child has to work through summer homework alone. Make a weekly work date with a friend where they can tackle summer assignments together. If that friend is in the same class as your child, they can even discuss questions and challenges together. Build A Support Team For Your Child

Tip 12: Review Your Child’s Progress Every Week

Each week, speak with your child about the work he or she accomplished, and what is planned for the week ahead. If you know your child will be busy soon, work together to reorganize his or her homework schedule.

Tip 13: Touch Base With a Tutor (Or Enrol In Summer Learning Program)

A new set of eyes can make all the difference in making sure your child gets his or her summer assignments done efficiently and effectively. Your child’s tutor will be able to give constructive feedback and turn this feedback into goals for the upcoming school year.

If you want an extra head start for your child this school year, enroll him or her in a Summer Learning tutoring program to get started on the right track.

And Most Importantly…

Tip 14: reward your child with summer fun.

While schoolwork is important during the summer, it doesn’t have to come at the sacrifice of having fun. Whenever your child completes a new project or achieves a goal, reward him or her with a treat or fun summer activity.

Work Hard—And Play Hard—This Summer

Summer might seem like it will last forever, but the school year will be here before you know it. Don’t let your child fall into the habit of procrastination—instead, make a plan together and stick to it.

If you follow these tips, your child will finish summer homework and summer reading in no time…and develop great learning and study habits that will already be in place for next year!

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Should students be assigned homework on vacation?

• Updated: Dec. 30, 2016, 12:12 a.m.
• | Published: Dec. 29, 2016, 11:12 p.m.
• Susan Lunny Keag | [email protected]

The five Harrington brothers, (featured clockwise from left) Michael, Kevin, Thomas, Matthew and Patrick, take a break from holiday fun to work on homework. (Photo courtesy of Beth Ann Harrington)

STATEN ISLAND, N.Y-- When Frank Squicciarini took a Columbus Day vacation to Virginia two years ago, he forgot two important items he never thought he would need: Glitter glue and construction paper.

When taking a break from the roller coasters at Busch Gardens, one of his daughters checked Pupil Path, an online information system that allows students and parents to check grades and assignments, and saw a project had been posted. The assignment, due when students returned from the weekend, required art supplies, including glitter glue and construction paper.

"I had to find a 24-hour Walmart!" said Squicciarini, whose conscientious daughter was afraid that she wouldn't have enough time before returning to school to finish the project.

Since that trip two years ago, Squicciarini, whose daughters are now ages 19, 16 and 13, has appealed to school administrators at PTA meetings, to ask that homework only be assigned at a minimum during school vacations.

"The principals have been very receptive," said Squicciarini, who is not only  a parent, but also the first vice president of Staten Island's Community Education Council (CEC).

Squicciarini even brought up the issue up to City Schools Chancellor Carmen Farina at two town hall meetings on Staten Island.

CEC President Michael Reilly said that the chancellor was clear it was a school-based decision, though she did note that in her opinion vacation is "time for the family."

However, parents still report that many schools throughout the city are still assigning projects and sending home packets of English Language Arts and math work filled with test preparation for standardized exams.

"During this holiday break we heard from families that some schools continue to assign ELA and Math packets in excess of 50 pages consisting of passages and questions for grades 3 to 8," Reilly wrote on Facebook.

"I'm not against giving any work but it should be a minimum," said Reilly, a parent himself.

Reilly feels the test-prep packets are too time consuming during the holidays and don't give students enough downtime.

"That's something I've been advocating against for the past several years," Reilly said. "We're too standardized test-driven and these kids are going to get burned out."

Reilly noted that students already have double periods of math and English Language Arts during the school day. Their breaks, he said, should be a time to recharge.

"When we get older and we take vacation, it's away from work," Reilly said. "You come back and you work more efficiently and harder because you've recharged."

Parents like Beth Ann Harrington, whose five boys range in age from 6 to 12, also point out that time spent sitting at the table doing homework means less time for family and fun.

"It definitely cuts into family time," said Harrington, noting that often she'll say no to an activity because she has "homework hanging over our head."

Harrington points out that after speaking at a PTA meeting about it at her sons' elementary school, she has noticed a difference and applauds the school administration for it.

"I definitely see an improvement," said Harrington, noting that her younger sons only had a math sheet and reading assigned.

Harrington said that vacation should be a break from the everyday hectic schedule.

"Mentally these kids need a break from everything. They're so scheduled with school, sports and activities," said Harrington. "They need a chance to be kids and to enjoy family."

Squicciarini suggests that schools assign vacation homework before the break starts so that students can work on it at their own pace. He said many parents take the week off when their children are on vacation so that they can take family trips or day outings.

"The bottom line is a lot of parents take off to spend time with their kids," Squicciarini said. "You don't want to be spending time with your kids sitting at the dining room table doing homework."

"Homework should be a tool," he added, "but it's getting to a point where it's dominating your whole family life."

What do you think about homework over the holiday break? Post your thoughts in the comments section below.

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Spark Schooling

Nurture Curiosity and Creativity Through Art, Music, PE, & STEM

for the mind is not a vessel to be filled, but a fire to be kindled. plutarch

Your Kids are Already Curious and Creative. We Help Them Stay That Way.

cultivate curiosity | inspire creativity | build confidence | make meaningful connections

You Want to Encourage their Strong Sense of Wonder

Your child entered the world brimming with curiosity and an insatiable desire to explore and create. 

Every day, they bombard you with questions, showing you how much they desire to understand the world around them. 

But as a parent juggling countless responsibilities, how do you keep up? 

How do you nurture this boundless curiosity when each day only has so many hours?

But It's So Hard to Keep Up

The weight of wanting to provide everything for your child while managing the chaos of daily life can be overwhelming.  

That’s why we’re here—to take the burden off your shoulders and make sure your children get to enjoy everything they are curious about. We help make their journey through learning as joyful and vibrant as their imagination.

Help your kids be ready for anything! Help them be confident enough to:

• Join a pickup game of basketball
• Pick up a paintbrush to paint with friends
• Sing in your community musical theatre production

Don’t let their natural creativity and curiosity and creativity dim…

Ignite their Curiosity- One Spark at a Time

Spark Schooling offers a lifeline to busy parents who want to nurture their child’s curiosity without the overwhelm (for you and for them). 

Cultivate their natural curiosity and creativity with our on-demand homeschool classes:

• Physical Education

We make it easy to provide a multitude of experiences, so their curiosity is not just maintained- but flourished.

• Paint with Watercolors
• Build Catapults

Spark Schooling understands the pivotal role of creativity and curiosity in forming  confident, well-rounded individuals.  

Our classes are crafted to make meaningful connections across subjects, deepening their understanding of the world in a fun, engaging way.

I’m Rachel!

I’m here to help you fan the flame of learning in your kids!

I am the creator of Spark Schooling (formerly known as The Hands-on Homeschool).

Spark Schooling provides families with engaging, on-demand Art, Music, Physical Education and STEM classes that are developed and taught by experts. 

Our team of seasoned teachers and homeschooling experts have had front row seats to the transformative power of honoring a child’s natural curiosity and creativity. 

Our classes are more than just lessons; they’re invitations to explore, create, and grow.

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• Cultivate their curiosity
• Foster their creativity
• build confidence
• make meaningful connections

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• Build Confidence
• Make meaningful connections

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Get started with our unit studies of various sizes. 

You’ll find bite size learning here. We offer a growing selection of unit studies for seasons, topics of study as well as with a various subject combinations.

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Looking for just one subject to fan the flame of curiosity and creativity? 

Our Single Subject Libraries include all of our classes and units for any of our available subjects. Choose from Art, Music, Physical Education and STEM.  

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Our AMPS Learning Library membership option is for you! You’ll get all of our Art Classes, Music Classes, Physical Education Classes, STEM Classes, as well as a rotating selection of our units all in one convenient place. 

The World's Most Evidence-Based Physical Education & Physical Activity Programs!

Free SPARKhome Resources

SPARKhome Free Lesson Plans

COVID-19 has caused unprecedented times and SPARK is here to help! Create a FREE account at  SPARKecademy.org  to access 3 weeks of materials (15 per program for Early Childhood, K-2, 3-6, Middle School, High School) to keep students active & healthy. We also encourage parents to create a free account so they can directly access the materials.  

Lesson Previews:

Early Childhood SPARKhome These SPARK activities encourage kids to be active at home. They help develop basic movement, manipulative, social, and personal skills at an early age. Activities can be done individually, with a sibling, or the entire family.

K-2 & 3-6 SPARKhome These SPARK activities encourage kids to be active at home. Included are videos, games and movement activities to engage kids in physical activities with their family.

Middle School SPARKhome The resources provided encourage students to be active at home. Included are fitness cards and videos that can be used to create fitness routines and show proper form and teaching cues.

High School SPARKhome The resources provided encourage students to be active at home. Exercise information and visuals can be used to create fitness circuits and routines for daily physical activity.

All activities are designed to be done indoors with family members who are known to be healthy. We encourage responsibility – to select activities that are suitable for your family considering all guidelines and recommendations of the CDC. To help determine which activities best meet your needs, use your filter to analyze the activity and consider this qualifier: 1) is it good to go? 2) does it need modification or 3) no way – this activity isn’t going to work for my situation.

Click to Access SPARKhome Programs:

1) Create a FREE account or log in to an existing account  2) Click the “Course Catalog” dropdown at the top right-hand side of the page and select SPARKhome (Free).   Please take a look at the video below for a quick walkthrough.

We’re in this together. Thank you for keeping students active & healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Access free SPARKhome materials by following the video above.

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Kindergarten vacation homework

Resource type.

Kindergarten December Vacation Homework Packet

Kindergarten Mega Bundle Summer Vacation Homework |No Prep|Eng|Maths(103 pages)

Kindergarten Vacation Journal | Homework Package for Travel

Spring Break: Kindergarten Spring Break Packet Homework Review Practice Pages

Kindergarten Summer Packet (Summer Break Review Homework Fun Summer School)

Preschool Summer Packet (PreK Summer Break Review, Homework and Summer School)

Christmas Packet: Kindergarten Christmas Break Packet Homework Review Pages

Winter Break: Kindergarten Winter Break Packet Homework Review Practice Pages

My Vacation Journal: student homework while away

End of Kindergarten Summer Vacation Packet for Students Entering First Grade!

Kindergarten Midwinter Break Packet ( Kindergarten Homework )

Kindergarten Monthly Homework Packets

Kindergarten Summer Review

Vacation Homework Journal Booklet | Holiday Journal | Travel

Kindergarten Summer Break Homework Packet - Print & Digital - Distance Learning

Kindergarten Mid Winter Vacation Packet

Vacation Homework Journal

Grade 2 Vacation Journal | Homework Package for Travel

Grade 1 Vacation Journal | Homework Package for Travel

Vacation Journal and Travel Vacation Activity Pack and homework projects

My Vacation Journal - Homework for Traveling Students

Kindergarten Summer Break Packet - Fun Digital Homework Review - Google Slides

Kindergarten Summer Vacation Packet

Vacation Journal - Homework Journal - Summer Vacation Homework - Covers & Pages

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