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[quote=Anonymous]If my husband had his way--my kids would be in academic environ. all summer long.  I grew up in Fairfax county and remember summer as days at the pool, neighborhood games, a week or two of beach, being bored and making up things to do, riding bikes, etc...and then when I got older traveling out-of-state for soccer tournaments 3 or more times.  Summer school was only for kids that did not do well during the school year and needed extra help.

I still have a stigma when I hear about kids doing 'summer school' because when I was a kid it meant you weren't smart.  Now- it is a way for yuppies and tiger moms to try and get an advantage in Arlington co. where I live.  I have had a few mothers I've run into express absolute awe that I haven't enrolled my kids in some type of summer laurate or summer school program--as if it is child abuse.  We aren't doing that.  I gave him two weeks off and now we do about 20-30 minutes of a workbook for next grade (not every night) and we always read at bedtime.  My firstborn is only going into first grade.  He blossomed wonderfully.  I didn't pressure him to read prior to entering K or shove academics down his throat and he finished the year at a 2nd grade reading level and doing math problems in his head, etc.  he got 100 on all of his assessments.  I think the low-key approach works for us.  I feel if I push, push, push he is not going to learn to love school like he currently does and burn out early.

Further---we are very athletic.  I believe kids should be running most of the day.  Elem school is full day with very little recess.  I had to laugh when I read this from teh article quoted:
" found that the average monthly gain in BMI for students moving from kindergarten to first grade was two to three times as fast during the summer as during either of the adjoining academic years. And the children most prone to obesity were most likely to put on additional weight during the summer. "  Not in my house!  My son has done a different sport camp every week and is postively ripped right now:).  I joke that I should be going with him to get fit and it would cost less than a trainer or cross-fit program.

My friends' kids are at a public Charter in NWDC that has year round school.  a few block weeks off spread throughout the year.  They go back August 1st.  I really think that is an ideal model and prevents the documented summer slump.  Though- I have to admit I am a traditionalist that has fond memories of summer vacations from school.

I agree there should be some learning and definitely lots of reading over the summer, but is should be in an unstructured, fun and non-threatening way.  I just want them to maintain where they are without dropping off too much.  As some of the posters have done, ,assigining a few workbook pages is reasonable--even if it isn't every single day.[/quote]

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