month, we’re exploring simple strategies, free resources, and everyday supports that help learners thrive wherever they are—at home, in the community, and beyond the classroom walls.

Learning Happens Everywhere

By now, most school doors across Washington have closed for the year. The barbecues are coming out, floaties are being inflated, and backpacks are being shoved into the back corners of closets. (Hopefully with the lunchboxes emptied first. Learn from my mistake: one August, I opened a forgotten lunchbox and was greeted by an entire fruit fly civilization.)
As summer begins, educators often encourage families to keep learning going to avoid the dreaded “summer slide.” Many parents are left wondering: Okay… but what does that actually look like? The good news is that summer learning doesn’t have to mean workbooks, flashcards, or a stack of worksheets from the teacher supply store. In fact, some of the most meaningful learning happens naturally through everyday experiences.
Heading out for a hike? Use Google Lens to identify a plant you’ve never seen before. Download a free birdwatching app and see how many birds you can spot or hear.
Going berry picking? Turn your harvest into homemade strawberry lemonade. Measure ingredients together, count berries, compare quantities, and make predictions. Make an extra batch for neighbors and have your child write a note to go with it.
Find yourself with a quiet moment alone? (I know, I know—unlikely.) Let your children catch you reading for fun. And when they inevitably come looking for you, invite them to grab a book and join you.
Summer offers countless opportunities to build communication, curiosity, creativity, and connection—without ever opening a workbook. Whatever your plans this season, remember: some of the most powerful learning happens far beyond the school walls.

Tech Tip: Accessibility Features You Already Have

Before downloading another app or purchasing a new tool, take a look at the technology you already use every day.  Smartphones,tablets, and computers come with powerful built-in accessibility features that can support communication, learning, independence, and participation.
Features like text-to-speech, speech-to-text, livecaptions, translation tools, magnification, visual timers, and guided access are often just a few clicks away in your device settings.
Whether you’re helping a student listen to a digital book, supporting a child in expressing their ideas through voice typing, or reducing distractions with focus features and noise-reducing headphones, small adjustments can make a big difference.
This summer, challenge yourself to explore one new accessibility feature on a device you already own. You might discover your next favorite support is already built-in.