Many students already feel embarrassment or shame when it comes to school and grades. As such, it can be difficult to get students to show up for events during the academic year - let alone giving up precious summer freedom. So, how are you going to create a summer component that students want to attend?
This comes down to setting up your TRIO program for maximum engagement using our Tried & True values: Motivation, Validation, and Celebration.
Kickoff Parties (Motivation)
Middle Meetups (Validation)
Award Ceremonies (Celebration)
Planning Events Students Want to Attend
Here is the best part - these activities take very little money and resources, but will make a huge difference in student attitudes and outcomes.
Kickoff Parties:
start of summer and start of every week
We motivate students
It is critical for the first day of summer component to be rich in icebreakers, connection activities, and “get to know you” discussions. Help your students express themselves and make friends! There will be plenty of time to cover academic classes, so really make space for the Kickoff Party on the first day.
Don’t know how to make a Kickoff Party? We have a whole guide!
Besides the first big Kickoff Party of the summer, it is important to have a Kickoff event every Monday of summer component. Do not make the cardinal mistake of doing announcements first. Your goal should be student engagement first: so get students moving with fun activities, and then remind them of their goals!
Middle MeetUps:
once a week (typically Wednesday)
We validate efforT
Students are normally out of school in summer. If they have to be in class during summer, then we can expect that even caring students will eventually get tired, or bored, or just fussy. Rather than reacting to this, be proactive and plan for it.
Schedule Middle Meetups every week. Break students into small groups for encouragement and accountability. Make sure to firmly schedule a weekly time where students are allowed to vent, discuss struggles, and discuss best practices.
Usually, it is best to have students choose a leader or spokesperson. This way, the student leader can facilitate the conversation, so the discussion is led by students and is for the students.
Make sure that these Middle Meetups are a safe space for students to be honest with each other, but that there is also a clearly positive tone. When students open up and share, make sure to thank the student for sharing and validate the effort. This way, more students will want to share. When students realize that they face the same problems, then they will be encouraged to keep working hard and not give up.
Award Ceremonies:
end of summer and end of every week
We celebrate success
Your students will never want to leave - when you create a culture of celebration. Create awards for students to earn every week. Create final awards for your end of summer celebration. Create TRIO Student Superlatives!
For example, students can earn weekly award certificates like:
Student Leader of the Week
The Kindness Award of the Week
Best Attitude of the Week
Best Academic Performance of the Week
For example, students can earn End of Summer awards like:
Most Improved Student
The Servant Leader Award
The Creative Leader Award
The Award for Best Artist, Performance, or Speech
For example, every student should receive a Superlative:
Best Smile
Best Dressed
Best Hair
Most Athletic
Most Likely to Be Famous
Best Dancer
Best Comedian
Most Like to Be President
Philosophy
Right Events + Right Time = Right Outcomes
Make sure to “work hard and play hard” this summer! Think about the outcome of each event. Plan to help students connect to each other from the very first event. Plan to help students overcome summer studying fatigue every week. Expect students to succeed, so plan the celebration!
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