Boost Student Math Skills Through Summer Fun

During April and May, the words on every student’s (and some teachers’) lips are, “I can’t wait until summer!” Students work hard all year, and to have some extended time away from the classroom can help to recharge them and renew enthusiastic for school again. Summer should be a time of fun, but for many it can mean a real drop in skills learned during the school year, especially in math.

Some students have no problem maintaining their math skills through a summer break, but other students who seem to struggle with math, a long reprieve can put a student at a disadvantage when school begins. However, as a former math teacher, I can suggest many ways to insure your child is ready to begin the next grade when school begins again in the fall.

Many tutoring centers offer summer programs. Sylvan Learning Centers offer “Sylvan Camps” in the summer, with certified teachers and small groups. Camps are designed for different ages and the various camps have names like “Camp Sum Fun” and “Fraction Action.” Call your local Sylvan for information.

Other smaller tutoring centers can also offer excellent programs and at times have even more individualized attention than a larger company can offer. Look in your local yellow pages for centers in your community. Check with http://pymath.com/ListMathCamps.php for a listing of math camps throughout the country. Ask at your local university regarding math camps for younger students. Your local school supply store or your child’s teacher may also have information about local opportunities.

If there is not a summer program offered in your community, find a high school student who likes math and is willing to work with your child. Go out and buy some fun workbooks or software that is age appropriate that they can work on together. Set aside a place in your home, and make refreshments and fun break activities they can enjoy. The key to summer learning is fun, fun, fun!

The whole family can make math learning a part of their summer activities. So you are taking a family vacation? How about taking along paper and pencil, and figuring together your gas mileage, the percentage of out of state tags on passing cars, or how to use the scale on a map to determine distance. Let your child help to figure the tip, or work with the travel budget. Let them count money to pay for purchases, or count change received for accuracy.

Put a math computer game on a laptop for them to play in the car or on the plane. There are several age appropriate software programs that can give that “video game” feel to learning. “Mighty Math” has many software programs on different math topics, designed for different ages. The “Zoombinis” series is another excellent software program that is so fun to do, you might even find yourself playing along! Check with http://www.thelearningcompany.com for more suggestions, or check with your local school supply company. Find workbooks that you can do together. For younger children, bring along plastic containers of items for counting and sorting, or a magnetic board with number magnets for easy arithmetic problems.

Math can be fun! How many gallons does it take to fill up the family swimming pool? How do you use fractions in measuring the ingredients for chocolate chip cookies? What do the metric measurements mean on the tools dad uses to make household repairs? These family activities will help reinforce how important math is in our everyday lives. Gear the math to your child’s age and ability, but do not be afraid to challenge them with some more mind-bending problems, too! Offer small rewards along the way for solving these problems, such as a special snack, or a toy from a local gift shop. The best reward can also be the praise they receive from the parent for a job well done!

With a little effort, your child can go back to class well rested and well prepared for the upcoming school year. Encourage their efforts and make learning fun. You just might learn something yourself!