It's well into the middle of the summer, and everyone is into that "out of school" relaxation mode. There's no homework to be done and life seems to be more laid back. However, the effects of being away from school for such a long period of time are often detrimental to academic achievement. Harris Cooper, Professor of Psychological Sciences at the University of Missouri, states that "summer loss in knowledge is approximately one month overall". So, taking three months off in the summer cuts the school year down to 8 months. In math, students lose 2.6 months (Center for Summer Learning (jhu.edu).
Karl Alexander and Doris Entwisle, sociologists at Johns Hopkins University, found that there is a difference between lower income students and middle class students with knowledge retention over the summer. While both groups improve at similar rates during the school year, low-income students lost more knowledge over the summer. By the end of 5th grade, low-income children fell more than two years behind middle-class students in verbal achievement and 1½ years behind in math. http://educationalissues.suite101.com/article.cfm/summer_vacation_slide
Three approaches to preventing summer learning loss are offered most often: extending the school year, providing summer school, and modifying the school calendar. http://www.ericdigests.org/2003-5/summer.htm This website offers the arguments for and against changing the school calendar.
In any event, some really good fun activities to continue learning experiences over the summer are recommended by parents on the following website:
http://community.greatschools.net/category/71/browse/?type=advice
Learning tips are also offered by Frederick County Public Schools staff. The following are tips, which they suggest: http://gazette.net/gazette_archive/2005b/200527/frederickcty/education/283876-1.html
- Visit the library.
- Encourage children to keep a journal or write letters.
- Plant a garden or window box together. Let your child pick the seeds or seedlings and read the instructions. Set up a chart for care of the plant.
- Figure out mileage and travel experiences together for family trips.
- Cook together from recipes. Plan a menu, and shop for ingredients together. Take advantage of chances to reinforce math skills like fractions and measurements.
- Plan family game nights. Select games that require thinking skills and strategic moves.
- Help children with summer jobs to develop a budget and savings plan for their earnings.
There are many activities you can do to keep your children learning over the summer. Activities for all subject areas are recommended on the following website: http://school.familyeducation.com/summer/family-learning/36089.html
So, stop the summer brain drain and keep your kids thinking!
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