Next Year

Here are some suggestions to make sure your student has a successful transition into Middle School.

1. Establish a summer learning plan with your student.  Discuss ways that your student can continue to learn all summer long! 

2. Set up a summer learning schedule or learning competition for your students to work consistently with alternative, fun and different types of resources.  You can use a jellybean jar or a penny jar and fill the jar every time your student sets aside time to learn during the summer and then reward your student for his/her hard work each week, each month or at the end of the summer.  Help your student to establish specific learning goals for the summer.  Here is a list of super summer resources to utilize:

Math Resources:

• Math Playground

• Adapted Mind

• IXL

• Mash Up Math 

Reading Resources:

• Reading Rockets

• Brain Boost

• Read Works

• Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program

3. Put together a summer plan where your student reads 20 minutes per day and completes some Math work, too, so that he/she is ready for Middle School.  Complete the Barnes and Noble summer reading program application (see website above or another reading program) and get started with your student’s summer reading list.  Use a Bingo board to see if your student is reading each day and each time he/she finishes a book or article in a particular genre, check it off on the bingo board.  Then reward your student with a special treat once he/she gets “Bingo!”

4. Create a summer math program for your student to stay sharp and not experience any Math learning loss in June, July, or August!  You can do this by doing Arts and Crafts and Activities outside like hiking, biking, swimming, running, or other activities that involve measurement.  Or, you can utilize a super Math learning app like MashUp Math, Prodigy or Art of Problem Solving to help your student to cement elementary Math concepts before moving on to Middle School Math in the fall.  Several students in our class continue to need extra support to master math reasoning and problem-solving strategies related to fractions and decimals and so it would be a good idea to integrate Math into your daily summer routine.

5. Make it a point to explore Science all summer long.  Our students love Science and there are so many ways for them to learn how to investigate, learn how to ask questions, learn how to develop critical thinking skills and analyze data.  You can visit https://www.wonderopolis.org/wonders a few times every week throughout the summer.  This will lead to awesome opportunities to study Science, Math, Reading and Writing and give your students and you a great chance to discuss learning and the wonders of the world.  Use this to get your student excited about learning and to show your student how learning can happen every day, even when school is not in session.