I think the key regarding summer learning loss, as it is in
most areas of life, is to accept the realities as they are. I wouldn't
recommend "combating" summer learning loss. Rather, I recommend
making plans based on the assumption that there will be some learning loss so
you simply pick up where you think the student will be. It is really no
different from my position on dealing with parents who seem problematic because
they do not support homework the way in which teachers think they should.
People are different. Parents take different attitudes about school. Once you
accept that reality, you can go on and devise strategies based on what is real,
not on the way you wish things would be. The necessary conclusion for that
issue is to diminish reliance on homework and reduce penalties for work that
may not get done.
Dr. Kenneth Goldberg is a clinical psychologist with 35 years of professional experience in dealing with many different psychological issues. He is the author of The Homework Trap: How to Save the Sanity of Parents, Students and Teachers and currently works in his own private practice.
Visit the website
Read book reviews of The Homework Trap
What is The Homework Trap?
A Roadmap to Success
504 plans
Dr. Kenneth Goldberg is a clinical psychologist with 35 years of professional experience in dealing with many different psychological issues. He is the author of The Homework Trap: How to Save the Sanity of Parents, Students and Teachers and currently works in his own private practice.
Visit the website
Read book reviews of The Homework Trap
What is The Homework Trap?
A Roadmap to Success
504 plans
Posts
2 comments:
I totally agree, and that's actually how they handle it. No matter how much summer homework they may give, they still start every school year with a review and assessment period, so I don't understand why they continue to try to stress parents out with summer homework!
I wrote about this myself here:
http://formerlyaprildawn.blogspot.com/2009/07/why-our-4th-grader-might-be-smarter.html
Great article! I would just like to add that there are many great games out there that take advantage of their ability to engage children by providing learning environments that kids voluntarily participate in. We have designed a math learning software tool that is not only personalized to each individual, but is also incredibly fun for kids. This isn't like any other learning game out there - it uses principles present in adult games to keep children engaged longer. If that isn't enough, results have shown a 20% average increase in skill level over 4 weeks.
Why not prevent summer brain drain by signing up for a free trial account here.
Post a Comment