Please note: The links provided below are intended to provide resources and assistance for families and students. The views and opinions of the organizations, individuals, or companies listed do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Ascent Classical Academy of Northern Colorado.
The lengthy break enjoyed by American students is often and erroneously attributed to a time in history when it was believed children were needed for farm work. The traditional summer break, in fact, emerged from the habits of urban dwellers fleeing congested cities during the hottest times of the year before air conditioning was a common fixture.
Given modern conveniences, most families still cherish the days in June, July, and August which allow for travel, exploration, and a relaxed pace in family life. While the nearly 14 weeks between the last and the first day of school can be good for the soul, they can be detrimental to learning retention and growth. Creating a simple routine during the summer for relaxed practice and review is a wise strategy to help your student succeed.
When: Daily! Hot summer days lend themselves to a few hours inside during the afternoons when it can be unpleasant to be outside, and perhaps, younger siblings are napping. While it might be tempting to allow movies, television, and video games, creating a ritual of daily focused learning builds habits that will last a lifetime.
What: Each day should allow for skills to be practiced, attention to be developed, and the imagination to be expanded. STUDENTS SHOULD BE READING EVERYDAY! In the following sections, you will find suggestions for each area of growth and development.
Who: Children experience many different types of care arrangements. These ideas are useful to all persons spending time with children, whether a parent, sibling, grandparent, daycare provider, babysitter, or the student themself.
Please note: The links provided below are intended to provide resources and assistance for families and students. The views and opinions of the organizations, individuals, or companies listed do not necessarily reflect the views or opinions of Ascent Classical Academy of Northern Colorado.
Active
Practice Handwriting
Write Letter
Passive
Cut paper along lines
Dot-to-Dot puzzles
String beads on cord
Lacing cards
Tracing of all kinds
Building with legos
Jigsaw puzzle
Play doh
Sorting (buttons, coins, etc)
Coloring books
Active
Developing Attention
Create a map of the garden, yard, park, or neighborhood
Create a scrapbook
Follow a recipe
Passive
Hidden pictures
Magnifying glasses
Bird/Insect/Flower identification cards
Jigsaw puzzles
Sorting (buttons, coins, etc)
Magazine treasure hunt
Concentration Games
Matching Games
Domino Games
Active
Trips to the library, museums, galleries, and parks
Passive
Check out books at your local library. Select a variety across the many genres: picture books, science books, history books.
Look for gatherings and classes (many are free) offered by local museums and parks.
Kindergarten Summer Skills Packet
Reading Lists
Curriculum Overview - AmblesideOnline (booklists arranged by year and subject)
Five in a Row Book List for Ages 4-8 - Well Read KidWell Read Kid
Well Trained Mind Great Books Recommendations
Books Children Love: A Guide to the Best Children's Literature (Revised Edition)
Books That Build Character: A Guide to Teaching Your Child Moral Values Through Stories
The Read-Aloud Handbook: Seventh Edition: 9780143121602: Trelease, Jim: Books
The Creative Family Manifesto: Encouraging Imagination and Nurturing Family Connections
Early Development/Dexterity
20 Sorting Activities for Kids - Milestone Mom, LLC
Amazing Fine Motor Activities that Build Dexterity - How Wee Learn
Amazon.com: Highlights: Hidden Pictures
Nature Study
Peterson Field Guide To Birds Of Eastern & Central North America, Seventh Ed. (Peterson Field Guides): Peterson, Roger Tory: 9781328771438: Amazon.com (see also plants, animals, etc.)
Handwriting resources
Busy bag activities
Have You Ever Done a Busy Bag Swap? | Andrea Dekker
Busy Bag Exchange: Ideas for On-the-Go Play Kits - Teach Beside Me
Math Resources
Dimensions Math® PK–5 for Homeschool – Singapore Math Inc.
The Math Worksheet Site.com (free math worksheet generator - automaticity helper)
Summer Math Skills Review Books
Math Games for All Ages
Here are some fun math games your children can play using just playing cards. 1) Pyramid 1
21 Fun Math Games with Dice for Kids 8-12 and FREE Printable Dice - That's So Montessori
Miscellaneous
Bare Books (Use puzzle and game board templates to create challenges with rewards, use bare books for journals, maps, and other creative projects)
*Children at this stage are largely independent but need accountability. Students in these grades - especially those new to Ascent - often have gaps in mastery, due to a lack of exposure or comprehension. The summer is the perfect time for them to singularly focus on recovery or mastery to set them up for success during the school year. We see some students as early as fourth grade receiving their first phone. As educational professionals, we notice a marked decline in creativity, independence, focus, and attention as a result. We unapologetically urge parents to limit or eliminate access to smart phones during the grammar school years.
Active
Dice games
Math games
Spelling games
Passive
Reading challenge
Writing letters
Crossword puzzles
Word search puzzles
Math drills
Math practice
Active
Limit (or eliminate!) screen time
Create opportunities for face-to-face play rather than virtual or online options
Create “busy-bag” activities for car trips, restaurants, and other circumstances when children need to practice self-governance, patience, and silence
Weekly hike with nature journals and sketchbooks
Service opportunities
Camping
Visit grandparents, neighbors, senior centers.
Visit a farmers market
Put on a neighborhood play or variety show
Passive
Puzzles
Sketching
Art projects (say yes to the mess!)
Knit/crochet/macrame
Building (anything)
Cooking
Gardening
Baking
Scrapbooking
Photography
Calligraphy
Swimming lessons
Bike Riding
Active
Babysitting lessons
First Aid lessons
Passive
Check out books at your local library. Select a variety across the many genres: picture books, science books, history books.
Look for gatherings and classes (many are free) offered by local museums and parks.
Reading Lists
Curriculum Overview - AmblesideOnline (booklists arranged by year and subject)
Five in a Row Book List for Ages 4-8 - Well Read KidWell Read Kid
Well Trained Mind Great Books Recommendations
Books Children Love: A Guide to the Best Children's Literature (Revised Edition)
Books That Build Character: A Guide to Teaching Your Child Moral Values Through Stories
The Read-Aloud Handbook: Seventh Edition: 9780143121602: Trelease, Jim: Books
The Creative Family Manifesto: Encouraging Imagination and Nurturing Family Connections
Nature Study
Peterson Field Guide To Birds Of Eastern & Central North America, Seventh Ed. (Peterson Field Guides): Peterson, Roger Tory: 9781328771438: Amazon.com (see also plants, animals, etc.)
Handwriting resources
Busy bag activities
Have You Ever Done a Busy Bag Swap? | Andrea Dekker
Busy Bag Exchange: Ideas for On-the-Go Play Kits - Teach Beside Me
Math Resources
Dimensions Math® PK–5 for Homeschool – Singapore Math Inc.
The Math Worksheet Site.com (free math worksheet generator - automaticity helper)
Summer Math Skills Review Books
Math Games for All Ages
Here are some fun math games your children can play using just playing cards. 1) Pyramid 1
21 Fun Math Games with Dice for Kids 8-12 and FREE Printable Dice - That's So Montessori
Miscellaneous
Craftsy (Learn how to make or do anything!!!)
Bare Books (Use puzzle and game board templates to create challenges with rewards, use bare books for journals, maps, and other creative projects)
*Students in these grades - especially those new to Ascent - often have gaps in mastery, due to a lack of exposure or comprehension. The summer is the perfect time for them to singularly focus on recovery or mastery to set them up for success during the school year. We see some students as early as fourth grade receiving their first phone. As educational professionals, we notice a marked decline in creativity, independence, focus, and attention as a result. We unapologetically urge parents to eliminate access to smartphones before high school and then conscientiously establish healthy habits to guard rest, attention, and active socialization.
Active
Tutors
Recovery Programs
Reading books together as a family
Passive
Singapore Math Online
Nicole the Math Lady Online
ThinkWell Algebra
Math games on video that target automaticity in addition/subtraction and
multiplication/division
Khan Academy Online
Visual Latin Online
Audio Books to experience what our students have already read. Many are free on streaming services like Spotify
Cursive: Handwriting Without Tears
Journal/Scrapbook
Letter writing
Household budgeting
Typing program
Hillsdale Online Education Classes (free)
Active
Create screen-free and phone-free expectations and hold the line!
Create a rhythm of activities that will get your children up and out:
Monday: hike & journal
Tuesday: deep clean a room
Wednesday: pool or park
Thursday: shopping and yard work
Friday: bike riding, picnic, neighborhood club
Visit grandparents, neighbors, senior centers.
Visit a farmers market
Put on a neighborhood play or variety show
Host a block party or green space event
Join a gym
Passive
Puzzles
Sketching
Art projects (say yes to the mess!)
Knit/crochet/macrame
Building (anything)
Cooking
Gardening
Baking
Scrapbooking
Photography
Calligraphy
Clean the garage
Have a garage sale
Start a new hobby
Work at a paying job
Some of your best tools during this time will be in your kitchen and garage.
Weights, scales, measuring tapes; raw materials,
Re-decorate a bedroom or playroom
Pingpong, pool, street games, jumprope, hopscotch, chalk contest
Neighborhood book club, fix-it club, service club, dinner club
Reading Lists
Curriculum Overview - AmblesideOnline (booklists arranged by year and subject)
Well Trained Mind Great Books Recommendations
Books Children Love: A Guide to the Best Children's Literature (Revised Edition)
Books That Build Character: A Guide to Teaching Your Child Moral Values Through Stories
The Read-Aloud Handbook: Seventh Edition: 9780143121602: Trelease, Jim: Books
The Creative Family Manifesto: Encouraging Imagination and Nurturing Family Connections
Nature Study
Peterson Field Guide To Birds Of Eastern & Central North America, Seventh Ed. (Peterson Field Guides): Peterson, Roger Tory: 9781328771438: Amazon.com (see also plants, animals, etc.)
Handwriting resources
Math Resources
Dimensions Math® 6–8 for Homeschool – Singapore Math Inc.
Nicole the Math Lady (recommended resource for students with gaps in math grades 6-12th)
The Math Worksheet Site.com (free math worksheet generator - automaticity helper)
Summer Math Skills Review Books
Math Games for All Ages
Here are some fun math games your children can play using just playing cards. 1) Pyramid 1
21 Fun Math Games with Dice for Kids 8-12 and FREE Printable Dice - That's So Montessori
Latin
Visual Latin - Homeschool Latin Curriculum That's Actually Fun!
Hillsdale Online Classes - highly recommended for students, parents, and families!
Hillsdale College Online Courses
Miscellaneous
Craftsy (Learn how to make or do anything!!!)
Bare Books (Use puzzle and game board templates to create challenges with rewards, use bare books for journals, maps, and other creative projects)
*Students in these grades - especially those new to Ascent - often have gaps in mastery, due to a lack of exposure or comprehension. The summer is the perfect time for them to singularly focus on recovery or mastery to set them up for success during the school year. We see some students as early as fourth grade receiving their first phone. As educational professionals, we notice a marked decline in creativity, independence, focus, and attention as a result. We unapologetically urge parents to eliminate access to smartphones before high school and then conscientiously establish healthy habits to guard rest, attention, and active socialization.
Active
Tutors
Recovery Programs
Reading books together as a family
Passive
Singapore Math Online
Nicole the Math Lady Online
ThinkWell Algebra
Math games on video that target automaticity in addition/subtraction and
multiplication/division
Khan Academy Online
Visual Latin Online
Audio Books to experience what our students have already read. Many are free on streaming services like Spotify
Cursive: Handwriting Without Tears
Journal/Scrapbook
Letter writing
Household budgeting
Typing program
Hillsdale Online Education Classes (free)
Active
Create screen-free and phone-free expectations and hold the line!
Create a rhythm of activities that will get your children up and out:
Monday: hike & journal
Tuesday: deep clean a room
Wednesday: pool or park
Thursday: shopping and yard work
Friday: bike riding, picnic, neighborhood club
Visit grandparents, neighbors, senior centers.
Visit a farmers market
Put on a neighborhood play or variety show
Host a block party or green space event
Join a gym
Passive
Puzzles
Sketching
Art projects (say yes to the mess!)
Knit/crochet/macrame
Building (anything)
Cooking
Gardening
Baking
Scrapbooking
Photography
Calligraphy
Clean the garage
Have a garage sale
Start a new hobby
Work at a paying job
Some of your best tools during this time will be in your kitchen and garage.
Weights, scales, measuring tapes; raw materials,
Re-decorate a bedroom or playroom
Pingpong, pool, street games, jumprope, hopscotch, chalk contest
Neighborhood book club, fix-it club, service club, dinner club
Reading Lists
Curriculum Overview - AmblesideOnline (booklists arranged by year and subject)
Well Trained Mind Great Books Recommendations
Books Children Love: A Guide to the Best Children's Literature (Revised Edition)
Books That Build Character: A Guide to Teaching Your Child Moral Values Through Stories
The Read-Aloud Handbook: Seventh Edition: 9780143121602: Trelease, Jim: Books
The Creative Family Manifesto: Encouraging Imagination and Nurturing Family Connections
Nature Study
Peterson Field Guide To Birds Of Eastern & Central North America, Seventh Ed. (Peterson Field Guides): Peterson, Roger Tory: 9781328771438: Amazon.com (see also plants, animals, etc.)
Handwriting Resources
Math Resources
Dimensions Math® 6–8 for Homeschool – Singapore Math Inc.
Nicole the Math Lady (recommended resource for students with gaps in math grades 6-12th)
The Math Worksheet Site.com (free math worksheet generator - automaticity helper)
Summer Math Skills Review Books
Math Games for All Ages
Here are some fun math games your children can play using just playing cards. 1) Pyramid 1
21 Fun Math Games with Dice for Kids 8-12 and FREE Printable Dice - That's So Montessori
Latin
Visual Latin - Homeschool Latin Curriculum That's Actually Fun!
Hillsdale Online Classes - highly recommended for students, parents, and families!
Hillsdale College Online Courses
Miscellaneous
Craftsy (Learn how to make or do anything!!!)
Bare Books (Use puzzle and game board templates to create challenges with rewards, use bare books for journals, maps, and other creative projects)