This kind of summer slide is not wet, wild or fun – but a 100 year old learning-loss phenomenon** that affects our students every summer! The “Summer Slide” is how experts and educators describe the more than 2 months of math learning students lose during the course of summer vacation.

Avoid the Summer Slide:

What Parents can do to keep kids sharp over the summer

Locate a summer program that fits your budget.

Programs offered by schools, recreation centers, universities, and communities often have an educational or enrichment focus.

Head to the library. It’s a great, free resource. Check out Interesting books and participate in free library summer Programs.

Focus on communication.  Discuss or write about  books, keep a journal of events and activities during the summer.

Take advantage of local amenities. Take free or low-cost educational trips to parks, museums, zoos and nature centers.

Explore and learn. Choose a place with an educational theme. Camping is a low-cost way to get outside and learn about nature.

Give math meaning. Measure items around the house or yard. Track daily temperatures. Add and subtract at the grocery store. Learn fractions while cooking.

Play outside. Seek out or organize physical activities that Contribute to healthy development.
Do a community service project. Teach your child how to volunteer in your community.
Keep a schedule. Continue daily routines during the summer with structure and limits.

Prepare for fall. Find out what your child will be learning during the next school year by talking with teachers at that grade level.

Refresh your Skills and Stay on Top of Your (Math) Game by Practicing

There’s a lot attention paid to summer reading lists but practicing math to keep skills sharp and interest piqued is really important too. Students don’t need much encouragement to play a favorite sport, and have learned that if they practice they will improve. The same is true for keeping up with math concepts and skills, especially during the summer months.

One on-line math website – TenMarks has embraced this idea and provides a special service for would-be victims of the summer slide. At TenMarks, students (in grades 3-10) work at their own pace, and their personalized curriculum is mapped to grade and state standards.