Don’t Stop Learning, Especially in the Summer

 If you ask highly proficient students about how they spend their school breaks, what do you think their responses would be? Would it be that since they spend the majority of their school year studying and getting excellent grades, then they would be spending their summer break playing and having fun? However, you should not be surprised to find out that most of these students consider their summer breaks as “valuable study time”. This simple phrase is what sets apart the excellent students from that of the rest.
For the diligent and the well-organized students, especially the 9th to 12th graders, summer-school or some type of a summer-learning program is standard. Some of these program and courses are offered by their schools and others are provided by individual groups in the community. Some students who are taking part in these classes might be doing so because they have to re-take a class or replace an unsatisfactory grade; however, most of the students taking part in such courses are mainly trying to prepare for the next school year. In the case of the 11th and the 12th grades, the majority, are trying to prepare for all of their upcoming state tests and AP classes.
As for middle grades, the 4th to 8th grade students, not only is reading essential, but also comprehension plays an important part in their upcoming classes. They will use this precious time to read a wide variety of books, especially those recommended for their transitioning grade. Besides reading, most of these excellent students will spend extra time on their writing skills since with every grade the expectations grow. For middle school students, it is highly recommended that they take math courses during the summer; this is so they will be able to keep practicing what they know, and are prepared for what is to come in the next grade.
Besides reading and math classes, some students will also take classes in subjects where they might have some weaknesses and need more assistance. Summer programs are not only there to provide a head start; they are also there to insure that students have the opportunity to learn what they couldn’t during the school year.
Following the set pattern here, it is obvious to see what excellent students of the lower grade would do during their breaks. 1st to 3rd grade students as well spend their valuable summer time improving the skills they already have and again the ones they don’t. For example, some students will spend their summer break learning new vocabulary by reading regularly; others will spend a few hours a day studying new areas of mathematics that will help them with their upcoming school year.
Learning takes time, as adults, we know that. We also know how precious time is, and we do everything in our power not to waste a minute of our lives. Adults would never sit at home and completely waste eight weeks because they know how difficult it would to catch up at the end of the eight weeks. So why should children be any different? Why would we allow a child’s brain to take an eight week break and then go back to chaos? Their brains are growing and need to be encouraged; thus, it is extremely important that as parents we make sure that our children continue learning all year long, even during their summer break.
Thinking Tree USA.com  Reading & Learning is located at 27674 Newhall Ranch Road, in Valencia (near Valencia high school)  Please call 844-READ-SCV(732-3728) or 661-591-4843. VIsit our website at: www.ThinkingTreeUSA.com