Avoid a Summer Slide

It’s that time of year again. The summer slide is when students enjoy some well-deserved time off but also struggle to retain their academic skills. Getting back into the swing of things in the Fall usually comes with some bumps and challenges. Especially after this crazy distance learning semester, learning to avoid a summer slide may be be more challenging than before. Students returning to classrooms in the Fall will be returning after many, many months of being away.

As parents, how can we avoid a summer slide? Right now schools and districts are grappling with tough decisions about returning to the classroom or continuing with distance learning. While we don’t know what lies in store for us in the Fall, we definitely know one thing: we need to help students be prepared. Here are some tips and tricks:

• Use sports and cooking to teach math
• Spell words backwards, to help keep the neurons flowing!
• Encourage exercise 
• Try doing “learning games” in 15 minutes chunks and don’t forget to add in some outdoor summer fun!

Some food for thought:

• What are some of your ideas to help your kids avoid a summer slide?
• How do you think students will adapt to returning to the classroom after the COVID-19 summer slide?

In these unprecedented times, Professional Learning Board is here for you. Learn more steps to avoid a summer slide with the online continuing education course: Cognitive Skills – Understanding Learning Challenges.

Ellen Paxton is the Chief Learning Officer of Professional Learning Board. As a two time National Board Certified Teacher, Ellen has successfully designed and delivered research-based and standards-aligned curriculum to help teachers meet their continuing education requirements. Through ProfessionalLearningBoard.com, RenewaTeachingLicense.com, and ConnectedPD.com, Ellen has established and maintained partnerships with several accredited universities, higher education institutions, teachers’ unions and state Departments of Education while overseeing curriculum development, alignment, implementation at the classroom level and strategic direction.