Helpful Hints

Smart Summers

With the start of summer comes sunshine, family vacations and let’s not forget – two full months free of school related activities. 

To ensure that your child continues his/her education during the summer months, the Rainbow District School Board has created Smart Summers - five fun tips that will help you keep the learning cycle alive all year round!

Tip #1 – Travelling Lessons
The next time you visit another city, province and/or country, take that as an opportunity to teach your child about the area’s history, culture and heritage.  By reading the brochures, maps and other types of travelling literature, you and your child will be learning a lesson in both history and geography.  To make the lesson more interactive, take a trip to a local historical site, museum or art gallery.

Tip #2 – Take Math Outside
While you’re planning your annual yard sale, why not get the kids involved.  It’s easy.  While you’re busy setting-up, simply let your child mark the prices on various items, greet neighbourhood friends and make change when purchases are made.  Holding a yard sale is a great opportunity to learn more about math and customer service. 

Tip #3 – Character and the Community
If you’re looking to keep your child busy, it’s always a good idea to arrange for local volunteer opportunities.  Whether it’s at the local hospital, animal shelter or church, helping in the community will allow your child to learn more about responsibility, social values and caring.  Volunteering is a great example of how parents can continue to expose their child to character education.

Tip #4 – Class in the Grocery Store
It’s important to remember that every task or chore is a learning opportunity.  Let’s take grocery shopping for instance.  It starts with research: What do we have?  What do we need?  How much money can we spend?  Which then leads to planning:  When will we go?  Where will we go?  Whom will we go with?  And lastly comes, decision-making: Do we really need this?  Is this a good price?  From writing the list to paying the bill, grocery shopping provides a wonderful learning experience for children.

Tip #5 – Choose a Topic, Any Topic
If you’re looking to broaden your family’s knowledge while improving your child’s academic skills, study random topics. By following a particular topic, through books, newspapers, magazines, Internet and/or films, you and your child will be learning and spending quality time together.  Remember: learning can be a fun activity for the whole family to enjoy.  As a parent, you will also be modeling the value of education and lifelong learning.

SUMMER LEARNING CALENDAR

Monday               Plant a flower
Tuesday              Attend a daily summer camp
Wednesday         Make a scrapbook
Thursday             Play a word game
Friday                 Visit the library
Saturday             Count money in the family ‘piggy’ bank
Sunday               Write about weekly events in your personal diary

WHY SUMMER LEARNING?

• It improves and/or reinforces academic skills gained throughout the school year.
• It better prepares your child for the upcoming school year.
• It demonstrates the importance and value of continuing education.
• It allows your child to master new subjects and skills.
• It helps your child become a better learner both inside and outside of school.