A Homework Learning Kit for the Summer Months
School will be out soon in June. Many teachers will tell you that students lose learning over the summer months. When they return to school in the fall it usually takes teachers about two months to get students in the mode for learning. This is why parents and guardians must do everything possible to keep students involved and reading over the summer months.
Many years ago, while teaching in the Buffalo Schools, I used to send home a homework package for students to continue their learning over the summer. Teachers will tell you that during the summer months students fall behind. This makes it necessary for teachers to spend at least the first month of school reviewing lessons taught the year before. I sent home a package of reading, math and writing projects for the students to do during their summer vacation. I had one parent who was going to take a family trip to Disney World. She came to my classroom and asked me to prepare some work for her child so that she could do it while on the plane, also in the hotel room when they had breaks.
I thought that this was a good idea. I also sent homework during the holiday and Spring breaks for students to do. To motivate them to do the work, I used all completed work as extra credit for them on their grades. I checked the returned work, to make sure that it was done correctly. One parent came to see me in September and thanked me for the work I gave to her twin daughters.
This brings me to the idea that during all unpredictable weather patterns, parents should prepare a learning kit for their children. I also want to remind parents they should replenish their child’s school supplies all year, and not just when it is time to buy school supplies. Many students run out of basic supplies in the middle of the year and need extra paper, notebooks, and other things to use. The following are some suggestions to create a learning kit at home.
Create a small library with books to read on a variety of subjects.
Make sure you have a supply of paper and composition notebooks.
You can purchase activity books at many stores in science, math, social studies, and language arts.
Keep creative art supplies on hand. Students enjoy painting, drawing, and coloring.
Keep flash cards on hand. You can also have students make their own flashcards in math and other subjects.
Keep flash cards on hand. You can also have students make their own flashcards in math and other subjects.
Encourage your child to create their own book on any subject that they like.
Students can also research a famous person in Black History, and write a report and/or create a poster about this individual.
It is important for students to continue their learning at home when they are not in school, so they don’t fall behind. Another way to keep them involved is to take them on field trips around the city and beyond. Our libraries have summer activities. The Museum of Science is a great place for summer fun. Even the zoo can be a place for learning about different animals.
Encourage your child to keep a journal about their summer travels. This will serve to improve their writing skills. Juneteenth is a good time to do some research and write about the history of the festival or create posters about some of the events. Students can have fun and learn also!!