Title: “Summertime, and the Learnin’ is Easy”
Exhibitor: Lisa Neubert
Description: Summer learning programs are a great
way for you to be involved
in your child’s education, and they are not
that difficult to do. Daily activities include reading, math, computer study,
and music. A weekly schedule can be set up for art day, science day, cooking
day, library day, etc. A summer folder
is created along the way so all can review a treasure of memories at the end of
the summer.
How To’s:
Why would you want to start a summer learning program?
How do you start
a summer learning program?
What types of activities
do you do?
Why
would you want to start a summer learning program?
It is getting warmer; the days are getting longer. You know it’s coming, and there’s nothing you can do to stop it. Yes, it is summer vacation. If there’s anything that makes a long hot day longer and hotter, it would have to be the words, “I’m bored.” You’re there. You’re on the spot. Your brain freezes. You can’t think of anything for your child to do. Maybe it’s time you started a summer learning program for your kids.
Now first off—DON’T PANIC! It’s not as difficult and time consuming as it sounds. Plus it has a lot of benefits. So let’s start there.
1. Gives your kids something to do besides watch TV.
2. Helps your kids maintain their academic level.
3. Keeps your kids reading during the summer.
4. Adds some structure to your day.
5. Lets your kids learn about their community.
How do you start a summer learning program?
Those all sound pretty good but how do you go about doing it without giving yourself a headache? The first thing to do is to establish a daily schedule for the things you want to do. You want to create the schedule based on your kids and what you want them to accomplish. For your average elementary school child you might divide the time into the following categories:
§ Workbook pages (You can buy these at any teaching supply store, and I’ve even seen them at discount stores like Walmart and Costco)
§ Free Reading
§ Math flash cards
§ Educational computer games
§ Music practice
§ Activity (We’ll talk about this later)
Obviously if your child doesn’t play a musical instrument or you don’t have a computer, you would skip these activities. Also you want to cater the time spent on each subject to each child. Do what you think is important.
We’ve found if the kids get these basic daily activities done
first thing in the morning they are more successful and have a good attitude.
But another time of day might work better for you, so do what is best for
your family.
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What
types of activities do you do?
We’ve found it is fun to have a theme for the week and then to do activities around the theme. One of the best ways to think of themes is to ask your kids what they want to learn about. You might be surprised at the answers. Once you have a theme, then each day of the week has a type of activity, and the activity revolves around the theme. For example:
|
Monday |
Art Day |
|
Tuesday |
Science Day |
|
Wednesday |
Cooking Day |
|
Thursday |
Library Day |
|
Friday |
Field Trip |
So let’s say the theme was Dinosaurs. On Monday we would make
fossils in clay. On Tuesday we’d do an experiment where we put a chicken bone
in vinegar and see that it became soft. On Wednesday we’d make rolls that
were shaped like dinosaurs. On Thursday we go to the library and participate
in their program. On Friday we’d take a trip to a Natural History Museum.
It’s that simple, and each day we had something fun to do.
Where
can you get ideas?
So you’re excited and you want to try it out, but you don’t have any ideas. Well you’re in luck because there are some great resources out there:
§ Internet—The internet has hundreds of sites devoted to kids, crafts and learning. You might have to search, but once you’ve found a good one, it will probably lead you to several other good sites.
§ Library—The library has tons of books on art projects that are inexpensive and easy to do. It also has science books that can help you find some projects you can do. Most libraries also have a summer reading program that can help reinforce what you’re doing at home. Besides that, librarians have a wealth of information about ideas and what the library has, and all you have to do is ask them.
§ Magazines—There are several magazines devoted to children and families. They often have great ideas. The Friend is also a great source for cooking ideas, arts and crafts, and extracurricular reading.
§ Scouting Manuals and Offices—The scouting manuals have fun projects that you can do for both boys and girls, and the scouting office often has inexpensive kits that you can buy to make projects.
§ Community pages in the phone book—The phone book lists things that are available in your community, such as museums and planetariums, as well as nearby recreation sites and activities.
§ Local Historical Sites, Festivals and Fairs—Most towns have local historical sites that are fun to visit. You might need to call ahead to make sure it is open. Also most communities have festivals. We always try to incorporate our local festival into our learning program. We attend any free activities or cultural events that we can.
§ Newspapers—Most newspapers will let you know what is happening around you so you can get out there and do things.
§ Tourist Information Center—Your local tourism board has pamphlets about things to do where you live. These are often helpful because not only will they give you an idea of fun things to do, but they list prices, phone numbers and operating hours.
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Weekly theme ideas
Here’s a list of fun weeks that we’ve done as well as possible field trips and other activities, but don’t limit yourself. Be creative, ask your kids what they want to learn about.
|
Weekly Theme |
Possible Field Trips |
|
Farm animals |
Farmer’s market or fruit stand, petting zoo, cooking with fresh vegetables |
|
Pioneers |
Pioneer museum or historical site, churning butter, making pioneer toys |
|
Transportation |
Use public transportation to go somewhere, make boats and have boat races |
|
Dinosaurs |
Dinosaur museum, or natural history museum, make fossils or dinosaurs out of clay |
|
Local University |
Spend time at a local university looking at displays in buildings or museums |
|
Outdoors |
Build fires, tie knots, cook over a fire |
|
Weather |
Learn to use weather charts, track the weather, tour a weather office |
|
Earth Week |
Learn about recycling, recycle crayons, plant a tree |
|
Space |
Planetarium, get star charts and go star gazing, |
|
Garden |
Botanical gardens, plant seeds |
|
Patriotic |
Go to a parade, make patriotic shirts, make a family flag |
Recording
and rewarding:
One thing that our kids enjoy doing is making a summer notebook. They can put some of their art projects in the notebook, as well as pictures of other things that you’ve done. It is fun for them to look back on what they did.
Now if your child isn’t that excited about doing this. Make
a reward system. Each day they get points for doing their reading, flashcards,
etc. When they reach a specified number of points they get a predetermined
prize. For example, 200 points, you’ll go to an amusement park. Whatever your
family likes to do.
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Going
out there and doing it:
Now you’ve got some ideas. You just need to do it. If it’s easiest for you, plan the entire summer. If that’s too much, then just take it a couple of weeks at a time. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t do something every day. Just keep trying. You’ll find it is fun to be with your children and to watch their progress and joy in learning.
You’ll be amazed as the kids become excited with what you are
doing, and encourage you by saying “What subject are we studying this week?”
I know it sounds too good to be true, but it often happens.
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