Prevent Summer Learning Loss

According to the National Summer Learning Association, children need to practice the essential skills during the summer.  Research asserts that:

•           All students experience learning losses when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer. 
•          On average, students lose approximately 2.6 months of grade level equivalency in mathematical computation during the summer school months. 

B   Yes, the summer is for relaxing, but there still needs to be some intellectual stimulation.  I am not trying to make the homework fights continue year round, however, children do need to continue using their brains and practicing the skills they learned during the school year.  I’ve written a couple of suggestions below.  Please share your favorite activities as well.

Writing

• Daily Journal Prompts with fun personal topics that your kids will enjoy.
• Just Write Workbooks from EPS.
• Start a Pillow Book with your child.  Get a blank journal and write back and forth.  One night your child writes about his day and then puts it on your pillow.  Then, you write in it and put it on his pillow.  Back and forth all summer.  Don’t correct the spelling or grammar.  This is just writing practice and a way to share thoughts with your child.

Spelling

•  Spellography  workbooks are great tools for reinforcing spelling and word study over the summer.

Reading

• For research based phonics instruction use  Explode the Code Online or buy Explode the Code Workbooks
• For vocabulary development choose-  Wordly Wise

Mathematics

• Repetition for basic math facts is critical.  Kumon Math Books provide this repetition to prevent loss of computational skills.    
• Allowance Game for dollars and cents practice.
• Personal Trainer for Math for the Nindendo DS

Handwriting

• Print and Cursive Practice  Handwriting Without Tears