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What do you to do to keep up kids reading and math skills during the summer?
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Anonymous
| I am looking for low-cost way to keep up my 2 kids (2nd and 4th grade) to keep up their reading and math skills during the summer. Cannot really afford tutor/learning center options. Any suggestions? |
Anonymous
| Books from the library! |
Anonymous
|
I usually enroll my children in a library reading program. I am thinking about Barnes & Noble reading program this summer http://www.barnesandnobleinc.com/our_company/community/Summer_Reading/Summer_Reading_Program.html . I will help them to make the reading list, and I will award them with a new book and a gift at the end of the summer f they complet the reading list.
I use leapahead online summer math program http://www.noetic-learning.com/summermath for their math. It is not free, but it is reasonable enough, about $20 a child for the entire summer. It is better than a workbook since the program keeps track of my children's progress and send me weekly email of their progress. I also give them a little reward (a fieldtrip) if they complete the program at the end of the summer. The approach has been working very well for me in the past couple of years. Kids can easily follow the 2 programs. Little incentive keep the kids motivated and there is hardly any work for me. I notice they are much more prepared for the new year than most of their friends. |
Anonymous
|
Well for reading, there are lots of summer reading programs at the library and also Borders and barnes&Noble. Read X books and you can get a free book or some other prixe. My third grade loves these and has been doing these for years. Also, as a family, go to the library often and pick out books as a family.
My kid loves doing things like math workbooks for fun. I just got this one for her and she is loving it: http://www.rainbowresource.com/product/Brain+Maths+Vol.+1/036970/1274201893-334376 It's probably a little advanced for the second grader, but good for the 4th grader. There are all sorts of logic puzzle books, sudoku for kids, etc. There are also fun math websites: www.funbrain.com www.coolmath4kids.com www.timezattack.com |
Anonymous
| Getting books from the library is the best option for reading. Most have a summer reading program. Getting math workbooks might be an idea. My son likes the BrainQuest workbooks. |
Anonymous
| I had my child read 30 minutes a day for the summer. At first she timed herself with a timer but as the summer wore on and she got used to reading so much, she stopped using the timer and just enjoyed it. Her math skills slipped though. So this summer I'm doing the reading thing but also 5 minutes of math facts (computer) and maybe a page a day in a math workbook. I wish I didn't have to do it, but she just forgets so much so I think it's worth it. |
Anonymous
|
My second grader is great in math but still having problems with basic math facts. So I've looked around a lot for some supplemental practice that won't totally turn him off and bore him. Math programs on the computer, flashcards etc don't seem to be doing it for him. So I found this book and just ordered it:
http://longevitypublishing.com/sample.pdf "Two Plus Two is not Five" -- it seems just right. We're going to skip the first two "Tiers" and start on Tier Three. I'll have him do one lesson every day I think until the book is over. That should be plenty of review. There's one for multiplication too but I haven't checked it out yet. http://longevitypublishing.com/SAMPLES_mult_book_bind.pdf |
Anonymous
| I got a letter in the mail from American University on reading skills. I'm interested for my daughter who is rising second grader and is just started to read with confidence. It doesn't give any cost which makes me wonder about it. They are 2 hour classes once a week. Anyone have experience with it? |
Anonymous
| Sorry PP. I mean to say American University reading skills CLASSES from the college of arts and sciences. |
Anonymous
| PP, if your child is already starting to read with confidence, then she wouldn't need a class, right? Just snuggling up with you reading together over the summer ought to do it. |
Anonymous
| 9:33 - I tried to click on the links to longevity publishing, but could not open the page. |
Anonymous
|
have them read.
other than that, nada. |
Anonymous
what about math? |
Anonymous
Huh. Me neither now. Well, try amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Plus-Methods-Learn-Addition-Subtraction/dp/0977732304 |
Anonymous
|
math is hard-- it's documented that kids lose math skills over the summer, even middle-class kids, who gain in reading (presumably all those library programs, high quality camp, etc.). Kids in poverty lose both math and reading.
Thinking I will have DC do a sheet from a math workbook every day, just to keep up thinking about math. She'll hate it. |