Texas Instruments has produced a good article about how to keep kids engaged in mathematics during the summer recess.
Help your Teen avoid "Summer Math slide"
Students lose as much as two months of learning over the summer
DALLAS (June 8, 2011) – learning mathematics is much like learning a sport; You need to practice to improve your skills. If you take three months, you will get rusty. Students, especially teenagers, to a packed with fun summer and typically academics is not on the list of tasks for the summer recess. However, all students can do in the summer things (and Yes, they can be fun) to avoid losing days and days of hard work they have already put in mathematics in the school year.
According to the National Association for summer learning across the Board, lose all children some math skills during the summer. Students lose on average about two months of grade-level math skills during the summer months, if they do not participate in training activities. Further research, established on the National Summer learning Association website, called loss in mathematics is somewhat larger than in reading, and teachers often use four to six weeks re-teaching material. Lost time will be crucial as students enter more demanding mathematical classes in middle and high school.
But teenagers, with help from their parents, can prevent summer math slide.
"Students did not lose the math skills they developed in the school year," says Tom Reardon who was, a mathematical adviser for Texas Instruments and a retired mathematics teacher 35 years of experience in the classroom. "Summer is perfect for teenagers focus on Audio Tuning Wizard on the skills, and it can be done in some fun and exciting ways.
Learning outside school
Students can explore the possibilities of practice math in different settings, such as math or science-related jobs including should or are working on science museums, Reardon who was saying. This gives the opportunity for students to remain updated with skills in the course of the summer at the same time to gain valuable professional experience. Students also may participate in local educational events.
Other students might find summer camps that integrate mathematics and science with challenging practical activities. Also local libraries, parks and recreation departments and similar organizations offers a variety of educational camps and events during the summer months and is a great local resource for students and their families.
"Activities may vary from one part-time voluntary experience," said Reardon who was. "Students passed Algebra I perhaps volunteer to tutor a friend, who retook the course. Also, if a student did not do well in a math class he or she should consider taking a refresher course in the course of the summer. "
Learning at home
Math skills may be maintained or even improved through activities in the home. Mathematics-focused websites, such as highlights, (http://illuminations.nctm.org/) sponsored by the National Council of teachers of mathematics, give practice problems but also include interactive exercises to do mathematical review more like a video game. Students can also experience interactive learning with WebQuests, (webquest.org) which allows students to explore the Internet and learn to use resources while solving mathematical problems.
Students, who owns the graphing calculators, such as the TI-NspireTM handheld graphs from Texas Instruments, can download activities on zone students. They can also practice math skills by using TI-Nspire ™ Student Software on their own computer. Summer TEN will also posting activities on the page Texas instruments (TI) calculators Facebook.
Visual learners can see content-relevant videos available on TeacherTube.com. Even sport-fanatical teenagers can incorporate math in their summer by finding the stats for their favorite player or team.
"Teenagers must have the freedom to choose their style and method of learning during the summer," said Reardon who was. "Students must remain involved in activities they enjoy it also focus on academic growth."
Other educational opportunities
Former students hold Reardon who was recommend mathematics and science tests and take time to review last year exams before returning to school. If students cannot save their studies, many schools post curriculum outlines online and students can use these guides to browse and view for the fall.
Parents can help their students get a jump start in this case, by taking time during the summer of knowledge of materials and technologies will use their teacher. Many school districts post textbook selections online and some publishers offer online content may be revised before school starts. Graphing Calculator is not specified by a teacher, giving Texas Instruments a guide on its website to help students choose what is right for them.
Parents can play an active role in helping students avoid academic summer slide by encouraging them to observe and practice math in daily activities, e.g.:
• Make learning adventure, visit the science or art museums, libraries, and sites that stimulates critical thinking;
• Create summer budget or practice of investing in the stock market.
• Planning the details of the family holiday, for example. determination of kilometers of the trip, estimated time of arrival and needed gas money.
• Practising mental math by doing simple mathematical ratios as the cost per unit during trips to the grocery store.
"Summer learning should not be separated from the summer fun," says Reardon who was. "Activities can be fun at the same time still add educational value to a teenager summer. Do a little at a time and more often is much better than to do a whole lot of once in a while. "
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