Summer is a delightful occasion for children to spend time with families and friends. It provides opportunities for children to get out in nature, experience different places, and enjoy family excursions. Below are ideas to help your child maintain the three R's while enjoying a restful and relaxing summer. I hope your family has a safe and fun summer adventure!
· Reading: Good readers read. Keep up with your child’s summer reading progress on the reading log. Read together. Discuss the story as you read to promote comprehension. Have your student write a summary (a paragraph or two) about each book read. This will be especially helpful for the required reading, as those titles may be discussed and assessed the first few weeks of third grade. The library webpage has links to the reading lists and book logs, as well as links to Book Flix and other resources. http://moodle.battlegroundacademy.org/course/view.php?id=189
Borders and Barnes and Noble have great summer reading programs that can earn students a free book. See links for details.
Borders http://www.borders.com/online/store/MediaView_doubledogdare?cmpid=SA_20100513_V2
Barnes&Noble http://www.barnesandnoble.com/summerreading/index.asp
· WRiting: Writing is a critical skill, one in which proficiency will benefit your child throughout his or her academic career. A regular routine of writing will enable your child to write more naturally, assisting them with written assignments. Writing may include making a grocery list, writing notes, etc. Have your child keep a journal or diary of summer adventures. Emphasize proper mechanics and good sentence structure. Your child should have access to a dictionary, but should be encouraged to be creative in a journal. Writing only those words that can be spelled confidently will limit your child’s writing vocabulary.
· Refine Skills: It is imperative that students have ready recall of basic math facts: addition and subtraction. Fluency with these facts will pave the way for the synthesis of math concepts taught in 3rd grade. Weakness with these basic math facts will have a corresponding negative effect. Students will need to maintain those basic facts over the summer. (flashcards, games, see math links below) Time and money are concepts that may easily be reinforced at home or on vacation this summer. Time to the minute, elapsed time; money, counting money, making change, adding/subtracting money. “Are we there yet? How much longer?” Have your child map your summer vacation, tracing the route on a map. Use this opportunity to notice states, cities, directions (N,S,E,W), etc. Math review pages are linked, below, if you feel your child would benefit from additional math practice.
Third grade is an amazing year of growth, independence, and added responsibility. It will be an exciting time for your child, as they are ready for these challenges and responsibilities. I have included suggestions for things that you can do to assist your child in a smooth transition. In addition, the second grade webpage will include suggestions and links to websites, as well as a wonderful article on developing responsibility in children.
