Summer learning loss is the loss in academic skills and knowledge over the course of summer vacation. It affects all students, but it affects students of low socioeconomic status the most. According to a study on summer learning loss, "Two-thirds of the academic achievement gap in reading and language found among high school students has been explained through the learning loss that occurs during the summer months of the primary school years." This is a serious phenomenon in the American school system, but it can be combated. By engaging children in educational activities, such as reading, writing, science and math projects, summer learning loss is made less severe. Our summer camp is not just about fun in the sun, but making sure that our children return to school in September without having forgotten too much over the summer. Our goal is to combat summer learning loss, and promote summer learning gain.
On that note:
Kearya and I only had five campers from our group present today. So we decided it would be a good day to contain their physical energy and get them expend some mental energy on writing and math worksheets. The children wrote their first journal entry today ("My favorite animal...") and afterwards we read a pop-up book of Horton Hears a Who. The children were very excited to try and touch the three dimensional images. After the book, they sat down for some math worksheets which helped them to practice their addition skills.
Sometimes doing these kinds of activities is like pulling teeth. But today the campers were exceptionally well behaved, and produced quality work. It's never completely silent with a group of five-year-olds, but it was extraordinarily quiet as they focused on their work and challenged their mental abilities.
-Benjamin
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