Last Updated On: April 11th, 2024
It’s important to get real about your school’s strengths and weaknesses. No school is perfect. Some have an excellent focus on creative writing and others tend to drill home mathematics. While one is not better than the other, it’s necessary to get honest and curious about what your child is missing at their school. Once we come to name the holes in their learning, it becomes easy to supplement their material and make the summer productive.
Step 1: Find the holes.
This is by far the hardest step. However, it’s not impossible and there are many ways to approach this goal.
For math, I recommend taking a subject test through Khan Academy.
For example, if you think your child may have fallen behind in math and they took Pre-Algebra last year, have them take a “Course Challenge” on Pre-Algebra. This consists of about 30 questions and usually takes students 30-45 minutes to complete. I typically have students do this before or during our first session together. As they go through the material, I also take notes.
Did they need a hint?
Did they actually get it right and just miss a number or a negative sign?
Do they just need a few more practice problems on this concept?
It’s important to understand the difference between knowledge that needs to be refreshed and knowledge that isn’t there. After the test is complete, I take photos of the child’s score so I can target where to take their tutoring plan. Khan Academy does a great job of breaking a subject down by the micro concepts within it. Students will get points for areas they knew from their “Course Challenge” or if they do practice exercises within that concept. If they got one graphing question correct and then missed the second, it’ll show that too with a distinct marking on the scores. While you don’t need a tutor to do this test and uncover the scores, I highly recommend one. As a parent, you can do this same activity and note the problems they struggled with the most, revisiting those topics and problems.
Let’s think about this from another lens…with reading and writing it’s often a little harder to pinpoint what is happening with your student, especially if teachers are grading on a complex scale like 1-4 or green, yellow, purple grades.
Remember your child’s teacher is a resource and a helpful one. Reach out and ask what they are seeing in class.
Helpful questions can be…
How is my child’s writing?
Do you notice they struggle with any writing mechanics in particular?
Are they doing well with narrative assignments, but missing the mark on persuasive essays?
How are they doing with their reading in class?
What books have you noticed they have enjoyed the most?
How often should my child be reading?
Some of these questions seem like something you should know as a parent, BUT not all kids want to discuss their likes, dislikes, and struggles with their parents. In fact, the teacher really gets a full picture with peers that you, as the parent, just aren’t going to see. Don’t feel guilty reaching out either. The teacher is on your side. And by asking these questions, you may even improve the teacher’s interaction and interest in helping your student thrive.
FOR OLDER CHILDREN: While I always encourage an open line of communication from parent to teacher, it’s also important that middle and high school students take the lead on communication. Their involvement and academic responsibility speaks volumes to their character and will immediately impress a teacher. Check out our blog on how to communicate with teachers if they’re feeling resistant to reaching out and asking about their progress. A short meeting about what they can do to improve in that subject, will be the fastest way to begin the relearning process.
Step 2: Start with the foundations.
Now that you have a grasp on where you need to supplement, let’s begin at the beginning. If you’re seeing holes in learning that require some basic knowledge of a previous concept, back track.
For example, it’s really challenging for an elementary student to do fraction word problems and fraction division if they aren’t quite certain how denominators work with fraction operations. If a kid isn’t feeling solid about their angles and geometry terms, it’s nearly impossible to ask them to complete a proof.
Without reviewing the basics that came before, you can’t expect to see vast improvement. And for each student the foundations are filled in with slightly different colors. Always remember that learning is individualized and in order to find gaps you must take the time required to relearn, the time that wasn’t given before. Manifest patience and manage expectations as you begin the relearning process with your child.
Step 3: Get a book.
Depending on the subject this will vary greatly. For English, I’d recommend books by Spectrum. For vocabulary and spelling, Wordly Wise tends to be the crowd favorite. For math, usually Khan Academy and textbooks directly from the school are the places to go. There are plenty of other wonderful, popular resources. These are just a few that have become a staple in my repertoire.
It’s easier to recall things in order. This is why the foundations are so important. Once you revisit the outlining process in essay writing, it’s easy to recall the next steps. Once you revisit vowel pairs, it’s easy to spell words filled with diphthongs and “exception words.” Try to remember even after the holes have been “filled” and the foundations have been laid, it’s a good idea to go chronologically through a text or work book. By taking a thorough approach you will inevitably give your child a much needed advantage.
Books are also great for summer vacation too! As summer is fast approaching, this is the time to get your child’s repertoire ready for those hours of downtime at summer camp, that lake trip where you will need a break, or the flight where they will be wide awake and need something to do.
Step 4: Take a class this summer.
Use the summer to your advantage. If you plan to be supplementing your child’s learning this summer, use the time wisely. Plan now.
LAUSD puts on a variety of online courses through the LA Public library. Check these out here: Online Courses
And don’t forget private schools…some offer summer programs with a variety of academic options. Whether it’s 3 weeks of prep classes or a one week online course preparing you for Algebra, they have it. Some of the most rigorous private schools in LA like Harvard Westlake and Brentwood offer many opportunities from Spanish to Geometry to Biology.
Another great resource for finding a class… universities and colleges. They typically offer classes for middle and high school students during the summer. Here are a few options offered through UCLA: Writing Workshop for Middle Schoolers AND Writing Summer Institute for High Schoolers. There are many other schools that do this too. Remember to check out prestigious institutions in your area for more options.
If a class isn’t in the cards for your child, you can also check out summer reading lists in your local school district. Typically they list all the books assigned at the various schools in their district and add a few other gems that are worth checking out.
Even if you’re late to the catch up party, remember that kids learn fast and there’s still so much time. Build your child a support system and make a plan for their relearning.
We’re all in this together.
Photo by Andrea Piacquadio from Pexels.
