At Goochland Elementary, we know that Otters are always learning—even in the summer! While school might be out, your child can keep growing their reading, writing, and math skills through fun, playful activities at home. Summer is a great time to dive into creativity, curiosity, and connection.
Here are some otter-approved ways to make a splash with learning this summer:
📚 Otters Love to Read!
Encourage your child to snuggle up in a cozy “reading riverbank” with blankets, pillows, and a stack of favorite books. Visit the library, read together on the porch, or even bring a book on vacation! Every minute of reading counts.
📞 Need a story on the go?
Call 1-833-690-0646 (toll-free, 24/7) to hear a new story every Wednesday, read aloud in English or Spanish.
Stories include picture books, fairy tales, folk tales, and more—a perfect Otter bedtime treat!
🎲 Lexia’s Choice Boards – A Whole River of Fun!
We’re sharing Lexia's Summer Reading Choice Boards to help Otters keep their literacy skills strong in joyful ways. These boards are filled with hands-on, screen-free activities like:
Going on an indoor camping trip with a flashlight and a book
Playing rhyming games while passing a ball
Pretending to be your favorite book character
Planning a party for a book character you love
Try for five in a row—or see if your Otter can complete the whole board!
🟦 Download the Lexia Summer Choice Boards here.
➕ Otters Can Count, Measure, and Explore!
Math isn’t just for the classroom—it’s in your kitchen, your backyard, and even your beach bag! Try these fun summer math ideas:
River Rock Counting: Collect small items like rocks, shells, or sticks and group them by number, color, or size.
Mealtime Math: Let your child help pour, measure, and estimate while cooking or baking.
Shape Spotting: Go on a shape hunt at the park or in your neighborhood—how many circles, rectangles, and triangles can you find?
Jump and Count: Practice skip counting (by 2s, 5s, or 10s) while jumping rope or hopping like an otter!
Play Store: Use real coins to count change, compare prices, or set up a mini grocery store at home.
Math is everywhere—and Goochland Otters are great at spotting it!
🧠 Otters Are Everyday Explorers
Whether you’re traveling far or staying close to home, learning can happen anywhere:
Make up a story and draw it together
Visit a zoo, park, or museum and talk about what you see
Go on a sound, shape, or color scavenger hunt
Write a letter to your teacher or a family member
💛 Learning Together, the Otter Way
At Goochland, Otters work together, stay optimistic, and always do their best. This summer, help your child:
Read aloud to a family member or pet
Play a math game with a sibling or friend
Teach someone else what they’ve learned
Little moments of learning can make a big difference!