LEAven Blog

         If you perceive that your students seem to have experienced some learning loss over summer vacation, there is lots of evidence to support that they do experience some learning loss.  Research going as far back as 1906 has been concerned with the so-called “Summer Slide.” In brief, here are the four conclusions of such research in two key areas – math and reading:

1. On average, students’ achievement scores lose at least one month’s learning from the prior school year.
2. Loss is exceptionally critical in math; the higher the student’s grade level, the more math learning they will lose.  
3. Learning loss is not differentiated by race or gender.
4. Reading loss in the summer. “…the reality of summer reading loss is well documented – and it is more persistent among students from lower socioeconomic backgrounds who are already at risk for academic failure. Researchers have found evidence to suggest that the impact of summer reading loss on students in general, and at-risk students in particular, is significant.” From: “How does summer loss affect students’ reading achievement?” Also see: Summer Library Program Facts.

     There are, of course, researchers who will disagree with the above conclusions saying that the “Summer Slide” isn’t that drastic – perhaps only a few weeks of learning loss.  However, using the summer break to help children continue to grow in many and varied ways is a smart strategy for keeping children intentionally engaged in the cognitive, affective, psychomotor domains.  Moreover, we should consider what might be called the “Theological-Action-Religious-Faith-Formation” (TARFF) domain as well.  If there truly is a “Summer Slide” in math and reading, could there also be one in students’ TARFF as well?

A List of Summer Activities to Keep Children Involved in Learning & Faith Formation

• Summer enrichment camps such as:  math, science, reading, history, foreign language, Vacation Bible School, Biblical drama/musical camp, carpentry (e.g., bird house building), sports camps of all kinds, fine arts (coloring with crayons, painting, pottery, music instrument lessons, etc.). Camps can be as short as a day or half day to a week or two depending on age or grade levels.
• Every parent and student should have a library card and go on library visits as much as possible. (Don’t be surprised if kids and/or parents don’t have a library card.)
• Family excursions to local, regional, and national museums of all types.  I searched for museums of all kinds around the USA for big city and rural history museums, places of interest, and other educational and fun venues. The number of free or inexpensive places to visit is enormous in cities and small towns across our nation – Google to find them in your area.
• Visit your State Capitol building and county courthouses.
• Plan walking tours of arboretums. I found eight arboretums within a 30-mile drive from St. Paul, MN.  How many are there in your area?
• Plan a summer outing with your school to a zoo or local band shell for a free concert.
• Do a “Four Book Challenge” over summer vacation.  Every student should read at least four books (or more).  Challenge (or cajole) students to read at least 30 minutes daily.  Young children should be read to every day for at least 15 minutes! Students can bring their books and discuss them with the class at the start of the school year.
• Plan a day trip to anywhere with the family and/or school friends.  Note: The length of the trip is dependent on the age of children, parents (or grandparents) ability to stay awake.
• Visit a raptor center or animal shelter.
• Have a four-hour tie blanket making camp.  Send them to Lutheran World Relief or local charity, hospital, etc.
• Have a Sunday afternoon all-school picnic where all the food is prepared and served by the 7th-8th graders and the high school youth.  Do it a week or two before school starts and invite a local chef to help with the picnic food.

It’s a Family Affair – One More Suggestion

     Besides the activities listed above, families should be encouraged to read at least one Bible story, parable, or psalm daily and discuss what they mean.  Hearing the Bible read aloud every day will help to strengthen their TARFF. 

     You also can find numerous free sites where the Bible is read aloud for every age level.  Search, “The Bible Read Aloud,” to find resources online, e.g., “The Book of John in Contemporary English”

     Since many churches discontinue Sunday School in the summer, parents need to continue reading and discussing the Bible, the Commandments, and the Catechism throughout the summer. Reading and/or listening to the Bible are especially important since children may not be studying the Bible in their Sunday School. 

     As the summer approaches, I hope this brief discussion of the “Summer Slide” inspires you to talk with your faculty, pastor, church staff, and families about how your core curriculum can be carried into the summer recess by activities that promote both academic and faith formation goals.

But as for you, continue in what you have learned and have firmly believed, knowing from whom you learned it and how from childhood you have been acquainted with the sacred writings, which are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. 

2 Timothy 3:14-15 ESV