Summer learning suggestions to keep your students from experiencing the ‘summer slide’.
Once students finish school at the end of May, they’re ready for a two month break from assignments and homework. They put in a lot of work over 10 months, moving from one grade level to the next. Even though students need summer break to rest, they should still practice academic skills to prevent “summer slide”. The Colorado Department of Education published a resource to prevent academic regression, in which it states, “‘Summer slide’ is the tendency for students, especially those from low-income families, to lose some of the achievement gains they made during the previous school year.”
While some students might go to a summer school program to get some academic support while in between grades, others will need access to other options that they can put into practice to be ready for the next school year.
First Summer Learning Suggestion – Reading
The Colorado Department of Education’s article on summer slide states, “Access to books is critical. The public library is an excellent free resource for families to have access to books of a wide range of interests and reading levels, as well as librarians to guide children and families in selecting great books.”
The Pikes Peak Library District has 17 locations across El Paso County, as well as a virtual library. To get library cards, you only need a photo ID and proof of address. Once your child has a library card, take them to one of the libraries near you and let them take time looking through the books.
When they have a few books, take time each day to read them. Whether it’s a new location each day, or it becomes part of a routine, reading in any form will benefit them.
Scholastic even recommends, “Reading aloud benefits all children and teens, especially those who struggle. One benefit is that you can read books your child can’t, so she will build listening comprehension skills with grade-level and above books. This will increase her knowledge and expand her experience with text, so that she will do better when she reads on her own.”
Writing
Try giving your child a daily writing prompt to encourage literacy skills in different ways. They can write about summer trips your family goes on, or about a character in a book they are reading. The latter benefits reading comprehension and vocabulary, as well.
Head out to local spots such as Garden of the Gods, Cheyenne Mountain Zoo, or take a trip up Pikes Peak, whether in your car or on the Cog Railway. Have your child write about what they saw on their visit, a letter to a friend inviting them to check out a fun hike, or even a story about the animals they saw in different habitats.
Math
Take time to check out museums in town, such as the Money Museum located at 818 N. Cascade Avenue. Then, see if they are interested in hosting a lemonade stand or neighborhood bake sale. They can practice counting and sorting money, budgeting, or adding and subtracting with decimals.
Visit the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Museum, where they can practice running at top speed on a straight track inside. Have them compare times and discuss height differences in your family compared to the athletes.
Science
There are also several locations in El Paso County that offer summer camps, where kids can participate in STEM activities. The YMCA, Challenger Learning Center, Lifetime Fitness, and the Western Musuem of Mining and Industry all offer fun learning camps for kids where they can engage with peers while also taking part in science activities.
If you’re able to, meet with your child’s teacher at the end of the year to better understand where your child is at academically. Some teachers have optional summer work packets that students can take home over break if they want to challenge themselves. Other teachers will have suggestions for your student on tasks they can do to help keep their skills up for the next year.
