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Educational Articles

At Remedia we are aware that many of you provide suggestions regarding summer remediation or enrichment to both students and parents. We hope you find this article to be helpful to you in your role as a parent or as a summer school teacher.

No doubt you are aware that students stand to lose a high percentage of what they have learned this year by the time school has been out a month. They will, unless their hard-earned knowledge is reinforced quickly and consistently throughout the summer.

No one wants this to happen. But what is a busy parent or teacher to do? Following is a plan that is both effective and manageable.

Make sure students read quality literature every day. Give them an opportunity to earn a reward for both the number and quality of books they have read. 

•  Many schools and libraries have lists of recommended books. 

•  For struggling readers, provide phonics resources as well as high-interest reading materials at or slightly above their reading level (which may be lower than their grade level. Remedia specializes in such materials).

Make use of daily learning opportunities: 
While cooking or shopping - math, economics, life, and consumer skills. 
For example, ask: 

•  “Which is the better deal - 10 pounds of dog food for $9.00, or 20 pounds of dog food for $16.00?” 

•   "Will you please help me make pancakes? If we double the recipe, how many cups of flour will we need? How many teaspoons of sugar?” 

•   “The store says they can offer this low price because they have so many of these items.” Then explain how this illustrates profit margin and the law of supply and demand: Regarding profit margin, “If the store sells a lot of these, they don’t have to charge as much for each one. They’ll still make money because they are selling so many. Their profits will be big enough.” Regarding the economic law of supply and demand, “When there is a lot of something for sale (e.g. a large supply of houses), people don’t want (demand) it so much. They’re not willing to pay a lot of money for something that is so easy to get. As a result, the price for it goes down. But if it is hard to find something (eg. a low supply of houses), people are willing to pay more for it (the demand goes up). (You can also explain how competition keeps prices down).

While traveling - history, geography, map skills, plant and animal life. 
For example, ask:

•  “It’s 90 miles to the next town. We’re going 60 mph. If we don’t stop, how long will it take us to get there?” 

•  Ask, “Let’s look at the map and figure out the shortest route to get to where we’re going.” 

•  Bring along a bird, animal, or plant guide and look up the plant and animal life native to the area you are visiting. 

•  Visitors’ Centers can give you information on the history, geography, geology, etc. of an area.

While watching educational programs - science, history, government, politics. Watch them with your children. Besides discussing the information given, try a few “critical thinking” strategies: 

•  Evaluate the accuracy of the information given. 

•  Evaluate the credibility of the sources. 

•  Identify biases of the people on the program. 

•  Discuss the values/ethical issues involved. 

•  Discuss whether you agree or disagree with the information, and why.

However, to provide adequate review and reinforcement, and especially to address specific skills deficits, you may need to do more:

•  Give students fun, skills-based materials. In just minutes a day, they will be reviewing and reinforcing essential core skills. (They will probably learn something new and exciting as well)! We especially encourage using materials in Reading, Math, Language Arts, and Writing, as they receive the most attention on standards-based tests. Our most recent Remedia newsletter contains specific suggestions in each of these subject areas. Simply call 1-800-826-4740 and request a copy. For a more complete view of our materials and the skills they target, visit our web site at remediapublications.com.

Now that you’ve done a little research, determine which of your students’ skills need the most reinforcement, and which materials would be most valuable and enjoyable for them. (Parent/teacher communication will be of great help in this process). Then all you have to do is gather the materials, set aside a little time each day, and have the security of knowing that your students are gaining knowledge - not losing it - this summer. Not only that, they will enter next school year with greater confidence and a sense of accomplishment. And, just maybe, this summer you won’t hear, “Teacher/Mom/Dad, I’m bored,” quite so often!

-- Marion Hindes