Sunday, June 23, 2013

Summer Learning Loss

 
Stop Summer Learning Loss 
but
Don't Stop Learning!

Studies vary concerning learning loss over the long summer holiday; however, they all do show substantial losses for those students who are struggling in the first place.
Even straight "A" students tend to show some loss if not engaged over the months away from learning.

How to avoid summer learning loss: 

       Read  !
This cannot be overstated
Reading is so important.  The choice of reading material is less a factor than the act and the follow-up.
Don't read "blindly" - engage yourself with the material by talking about what you've read with others, look to learn more about the topic, write about what you've read, comment or blog about it.  Use any method you like to make sure that you aren't forgetting as fast as you are reading.
Also, remember the library - often free reading material of all kinds there!

       Write !
Write a journal.
Write about what you have been reading (see above).
Start a blog about your favourite topic.
Write letters (astonish your friends and the world!).
Write some poems.

Parents
Engage your children with daily / weekly chores.
Plan grocery trips with a list.  (They can make the list.  They might even be able to help plan the recipes for  the week and then work on the list with you.)
Math can be practised when cooking with a recipe (especially if you are halving or doubling the recipe, etc.)
Ask for opinions and comments on T.V. shows or Internet/video games, etc.
NOTE:       Be sure to ask open questions not closed questions.
An open question invites more conversation, whereas a closed question generally illicits only a  "yes" or "no" response.
Example:   
      Open question -   "What did you like about the main character ?"
      Closed question - "Did you like the main character?" 

Don't be too quick to judge opinions (despite the lack of logic or maturity). It is just important to keep paying attention and engaging with material.  A great deal of learning comes from talking it out and hearing one's own ideas aloud.  Self-correction tends to happen in stages.
Tutoring
Of course - a couple hours of tutoring per week can also help retain past lessons and help to prepare for the next year! 
Come see what a professional tutor and personalized program can do for you or your child!
www.tutoringcentral.com