By Sean Alexander

Starting the academic year with achievement levels lower than where they were at the beginning of summer break is commonly known as summer learning loss, summer setback, or summer slide.

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Studies have shown that on average, students’ achievement scores declined over summer break by one month’s worth of school-year learning. It’s concerning because declines are typically sharper for math than for reading, and the extent of loss was larger at higher grade levels.

Finding an effective strategy that works for your family is necessary to combat the summer slide.

Here are five tips to fight summer slide:

    1. Set aside time for learning

    Without regular practice, new skills and knowledge fade Setting aside as little as 30 minutes each day for skills practice can help students close learning gaps and perform at higher levels in the new school year.

    2. Make learning fun!

    The time you set aside for learning doesn’t have to mean boring flashcards. There are TONS of fun games, apps, and workbooks that engage learners and put new skills to use. Find an app, pull out a board game, or learn a new card game and spend some time together practicing skills!

    Our favorite free resource for math worksheets is Kuta Math. They have worksheets for pretty much every math topic there is. And we love they way they organize the worksheets by topic, so if you're taking geometry next year make sure you can do most of the algebra worksheets this summer. If you are taking calculus next year make sure you can do the pre-calculus worksheets this summer. Summer is the perfect time to review topics and skills from the class you took this past spring semester. It's the best way to prepare for the upcoming school year!

    3. Take a field trip

    There are hundreds of museums, zoos, and nature sites across the country that pull kids out of a classroom or house and put learning in the real world. Hands-on experiences are especially effective but even viewing exhibits can be engaging when students are asked open ended questions. Questions like, “how do you think… why would…. what could that…” ask students to engage in critical thinking around what they’re seeing.

    4. Educational summer camps

    STEM themed camps are quite popular and readily available. These camps do a wonderful job of bringing science, technology, engineering, and math concepts to students in an engaging and fun way during the summer. And a a week at camp can be a healthy break for the family, allowing everyone some much needed independence.

    5. Hire a tutor

    Summer is an ideal time for students of all ages to strengthen their academic skills while still having plenty of time left over for fun summer activities. A private tutor allows families to schedule academic skills practice around their busy, and changing summer schedules. With the right approach, math can be exciting and fun for any student.

    As a proud pioneer in the field of online math tutoring, our unique approach to math education has helped students all over the world improve their grades and performance on standardized tests.

    We recognize that every student learns differently, and we'll work with you and/or your child to figure out what works best to help them understand the concept being taught.

    We offer traditional techniques as well as new styles that have proven successful for many of our students.

     

    prevent summer slide with a summer math tutor

    Summer Math Intensive Tutoring

    This math program is made up of 10 one-on-one tutoring sessions that you’ll find your student looking forward to.

    Outside of the rigorous schedule of the school year, summer allows us to focus 100% of our attention on problem solving skills that lead to success in math class. 

    Often during the school year, instructors will notice a student’s skill that needs work, but there isn’t time to fully dive in on solidifying that skill because the student has to keep up with the pace of the class. 

    During summer, we can spend as much time as necessary to master the skills that lead to success in math. And we have fun doing it! 

    Our Online Summer Math Program turns students into ultra-confident math machines that will crush their fall math class.

     

    Online summer math program benefits include:

    • One-on-one attention from an experienced tutor who can focus on your child's specific needs.
    • The chance to learn at home without the distractions of the classroom setting.
    • A personal approach that fits around your busy schedule or busy life.
    • An opportunity for your child to receive individualized instruction in the comfort of your own home.
    • The chance for your child to learn at his or her own pace while still making progress toward academic

     

    Tutoring Topics:

     

    Sign up for the Summer Math Intensive!

    The next step is to fill out this short form. 

    We can't WAIT to speak with you! Nothing brings us joy like learning about your unique math experience, we live for it.

    Author

    • Sean Alexander

      COMMAND PILOT, OWNER Sean has been a professional educator for 15 years and has taught math, physics, and astronomy at all levels.  His experience ranges from working at a high school for severe learning differences to teaching advanced physics at Stanford.  After completing his graduate work in theoretical physics Sean founded Alexander Tutoring, with the mission of revealing the deep connections between math and nature to as many students as possible. 

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