Don't believe everything you hear about summer learning loss-Updated

This is an updated version of an article of mine for parents during summer that originally appeared two years ago. 

Wishing you a wonderful and safe yet adventurous summer 2014.

Paul

If summer memory loss exists, the students that I teach in a public school are more than capable of overcoming it. Students that return in September that demonstrate notable social and emotional growth are those best equipped to handle technical problem based learning in schools, not necessarily the students that master the latest math application, attend a typical summer school program or bring a textbook home for summer.

As a teacher faced with questions from parents of: "How can my child avoid falling back during the summer break", many times have found myself steering students towards a summer of consumption. Last year I promoted terrific learning app's, and in previous years comprehensive websites, summer academic programs and such. It always seemed a regression of the impressive real-world learning many of our teachers were doing with students. With parents this year I am sending no sites that work on basic skills, no lists of applications or on-line tutoring programs.

Other than the three top generators of healthy summer youth development...

1. summer camp
2. a job
3. family time

...below is a compilation of simple ideas for summer growth for those involved in the lives of youths. 

Why not summer school? and if not, what then?

The main point here is to be mindful about making summer school an option. Ensure summer school is a laboratory for experimental strategies—like hands-on activities, field trips, theme-based curricula and Socratic teaching methods—that schools can also incorporate into the regular academic year. If not, it is not worth the time and money unless you are portraying (as I have in the past) the facade of learning. For summer schools that 'get it' look no further than the 'tinkering school' watch the trailer and if you have time create a rudimentary one this summer.

The main body of research used to alarm parents with in regards to youth in summer is: "On average, students lose approximately 2.6 months of grade level equivalency in mathematical computation skills during the summer months" [1] This may be true, but it important to acknowledge that this research is in many cases generated by summer school companies . The major study from John Hopkins University was in partnership with Sylvan Learning Centers. As a premier international skill-based tutoring, and summer learning organization, directly benefiting from well intentioned parents concerned by the results of the summer memory loss studies. 
The bright point of the studies examined is the authors call for a new vision for summer school. Their research pointing to variability in programming that, in many cases, minimally impacts a students academics upon return to school. The study in mention from the Wallace Foundation: Building Quality in Summer Learning Programs

Become a high-performing teacher on your own and engage when waiting in lines, off-times spot lights. Pose a problem with a real world context, critical thinking. NOT worksheets. John T. Spencer explains with simple ideas that build computational fluency . For a detailed description in support of learning, rather than recalling, Frank Noscheses' wonderful explanation of inquiry says it all:

Digital devices/Reading balance:

Sophisticated video games and social media are the most recent elephant in the room when it comes to scapegoats for summer learning loss. The alarming trend is that a students technology prowess can be only limited to these two forms of technology. In recent, fascinating studies, professors at universities are noticing university students comfort zone is limited when dealing with productivity applications. (UCLA Freshman Research Project) 

It's important that parents keep the rules very clear about digital usage and are not put off by the fact that children and teenagers may use the technology better than us. The best ideas shift the 'consuming' nature of gaming to the 'creating' nature of free on-line skill based technology courses.Three creative programming sites including web fundamentals and computer science worth your child's time are: Udacity, Treehouse and Codeacademy.

As the many rules/goals to set with children and technology, the  key restriction deals with the sleep patterns of youth (specifically melatonin). Sleep and memory disruption is one of the most affected areas screens affect a youths physiology. This can be drastically modified by technology being restricted at night. BBC puts it best in their article: Parents should worry less about cyberbullying and more about sleep and memory disruption when children use technology at night. 

Lastly, and most importantly:

The best teacher of spelling, grammar and basic language skills is books. Just buying any book of interest is a static response, for deep learning steer your child to a theme that once again creates a reasoning into their current social world. For example, many youths lives revolve around friendships, one of the best reads this summer could promote is an engaging novel centered on friendship NPR's comprehensive summer reading list

There is a litany of factors that restrict youth from healthy summer experiences; nevertheless, with a few mindful objectives and positive interventions a summer can flourish with even little parent involvement. Is the so called 'summer academic brain drain' affecting students in a negative way? Or are/can they develop critical skills that transcend a worksheet or accelerated summer academic program?

Other quality idea's creating a culture of learning this summer: Care of  thinkactparent.com website catering to parents concerned with university enrollment with there children 

1. Family Reading Night. Creating a reader is one of the most important endeavors for parents. Reading is the key to learning– The key. Students who read well are much stronger students. In our household, we have Family Reading Night. We set the date ahead of time and hype it up. We bake cookies. And on the allotted day, after dinner, we come together. I read a book aloud to everyone– a contemporary classic like The Tale of Despereaux by Kate DiCamillo. We used to do this in our bed, but the family got too big to fit. Then each person reads his or her own book to his or herself. We are together, reading separately…eating cookies and drinking milk. The only sounds in the house are chewing and pages turning. It’s a lovely time.
2. Reading Challenge. There are lots of reading challenge programs–in the libraries and some schools. But you can set up your own, with your own prizes. You can make it a competition. But I think it works better if each person has his or her own goal and reward. Mom and Dad participate, too. You can set a common goal like –a book a week. The prizes don’t have to be big, just motivational.
3. New Site Night. Once a week explore the internet together by introducing a new website that has an interesting focus. If one of the kids has a unique interest, try to find obscure sites in that area. My son likes to skateboard. So we found a site that explores physics through skateboarding. It was both educational and very engaging. Or look for something in an area you know nothing about. Explore the site and discuss it together. You can take turns being the “discoverer”…just make sure you have the proper security blocks on the computer!!! Just say’n!
4. ”What’s New”–each day, ask each family member to find an interesting news item. The only requirement is that it has to be found from a printed source, e.g. the newspaper or a news website–anywhere you have to read the story or report. Radio and Television do not count. Discuss everyone’s news at dinner time or during the drive home.
5. Museum Day–Once a week visit a museum. Any museum. Your city museums are treasures. Try to achieve a variety over the summer–art, natural science, history. If your child is a museum hater, start with a museum that exhibits a specific interest of his or hers. Look in the directory. Chances are your city has museums you had no idea were there!…And many of them have regular Family Days when families can visit for free.
6. Unplug Night- Once a week turn off every electronic device (except perhaps the stereo for music) and play a board game. No cell phones, no ipods, no video games and NO TV.
7. Twitter--the social networking site, has capitalized on a brilliant idea. Members responds to the question, “What are you doing,” and can only use 140 characters to respond. This makes for succinct statements that no one minds reading because they are short and sweet. This concept makes the idea of the “summer journal” so much more palatable for kids. Tell them they have to make an entry every day. But it only has to be 140 characters and that includes spaces and punctuation. But since it’s so short, it has to be (age-appropriately) proof-read and corrected for spelling, punctuation and grammar. As time goes on, most kids will want to write more. But don’t let them. This way they will learn about efficient writing and the importance of editing. Since the entries are so short, they won’t mind doing it all summer, which is fantastic! You may want to share your entries at Family Meal (see #10), or even during Family Reading Night.
8. One Green Thing– Research shows that teens who are interested in the environment share some positive traits–they are good peer communicators, they are computer/Internet savvy and they are leaders among their peers. This is probably because caring for the environment is an intellectual pursuit. Encourage this activity at home. Once a week have your child suggest “One Green Thing” for the family to do and then help him or her institute it–like recycling or composting or just turning off the water while you brush your teeth. 
9. Family Mealtime. The forgotten gift. Research shows families that eat a meal together are healthier and happier. Children who have family meals, perform better in school and better cope with stress. So set a goal to eat at least one meal together per week…and driving home with everyone scarfing down McDonald’s burgers in the backseat does not count!

Also see:

Edutopia's comprehensive summer learning page

(1) Data on summer learning loss c/o Dr. Ruth Peters