Press

Summer means lots of different things to all of us, but for school kids it has a definition that spans nationwide – freedom. And as beautiful and exciting as that freedom can be (admit it, we all wish we had it again), the lack of academic learning over the summer can lead to serious deficiencies come the fall. Studies show that on average, students can lose over two months of grade level equivalency in mathematical computation skills during the months of summer vacation. Reading proficiency is also one of the most heavily hit areas. This can result in teachers having to spend the first weeks in fall at the beginning of the next school year re-teaching material from the previous year. This is what is known in teaching circles as the “Summer Slide.”

The authors of a November 2002 report from Johns Hopkins Center for Summer Learning state that "A conservative estimate of lost instructional time is approximately two months or roughly 22 percent of the school year.... It's common for teachers to spend at least a month re-teaching material that students have forgotten over the summer. That month of re-teaching eliminates a month that could have been spent on teaching new information and skills." 

That’s not to say that you should be quizzing your kids all summer on material they learned last year. But it is important to keep those synapses firing with something more than just fun, sun, and relaxing. Outside of enrolling your child in a summer school program, there are several things you can do to keep your child engaged, and mentally active. For starters check out your local library, and get to know your librarian. They’re experts on the material, so they are the perfect resource to find books that your child will find interesting, and educational. Set a goal - reading up to five books over the summer can prevent significant learning loss.

But what about things you can do at home? Create little challenges for your kids using stuff you have lying around the house. Make a weekly estimation jar, changing the contents each week. You can use beans, peanuts, elbow macaroni, pocket change, jellybeans, or whatever else you might have on hand. Give your kids the measurements of the jar, and the items in the jar to assist in their estimation calculations. The winner gets an extra scoop of ice cream!

Also take advantage of one of the best, and probably one of the least utilized resources: teachers! Contact your child’s teacher, and find out what they need to improve on, or what they should be studying to gain a leg up on the upcoming year.

And for more math help, contact Mathnasium of the Glen to learn about our summer programs. Sessions start June 11, and go through August 18. Choose between our Summer Pass, Mathnasium Membership, or One-on-One tutoring. Keeping up with math is important, and we’re here to help you and your child maintain and improve his or her mathematical skills. Don’t let the Summer Slide sneak up on you. Take advantage of Mathnasium and enroll today!

Mathnasium of the Glen is located in the Glen Town Center at 2650 Valor Drive in Glenview. Contact Mathnasium at 847-998-0900 or theglen@mathnasium.com. For more information visit our "Programs" page.

Mastering algebra is widely considered the gateway to higher mathematics and college readiness, but new studies question whether low-performing students benefit from exposure to the subject in middle school.

The Math Learning Center, offering math-only, after-school educational programs, is celebrating its first anniversary at the Glen Town Center. Since opening after Labor Day last year, Mathnasium of the Glen has enrolled over 200 students and given over 7,100 individual math lessons.

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THE American ideal of lazy summers filled with fun has an unintended consequence: If students are not engaged in learning over the summer, they lose skills in math and reading. Summers off are one of the most important, yet least acknowledged, causes of underachievement in our schools.

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Michigan State University Distinguished Professor Bill Schmidt is the interim director of the Institute for Research on Mathematics and Science Education, and author of the forthcoming book "Inequalities for All: Why America Needs Common Core Standards."

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The amount of time parents spend talking about numbers has a much bigger impact on how young children learn mathematics than was previously known, researchers at the University of Chicago have found.

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Illinois has been cutting the number of points required to pass annual achievement exams, allowing children to flub more questions but still be deemed "proficient."

For many students, math is not fun. Without a solid foundation, it can be difficult to comprehend. Falling through the cracks in the early grades can have a lasting impact on how kids perform in higher level classes . . . or worse, make a child want to give up on learning math. “At Mathnasium, our goal is to significantly increase your child’s math skills, understanding of math concepts, and overall school performance, while building confidence and forging a positive attitude toward the subject of math,” says owner, J. Steve Santacruz. The Mathnasium philosophy is that children don’t hate math –they hate being confused and intimidated by it.

Mathnasium Learning Center, an international franchise offering math-only, after-school educational programs, is opening its doors at The Glen Town Center on September 7. This new center will provide a safe and supportive setting for grade-school students to develop much-needed math skills and to build confidence in their math abilities.