Fun and Effective Ideas To Keep Math Skills Sharp Over Summer Break
Article published in Longmeadow Neighbors
(June 2024)
EXPERT CONTRIBUTOR
ALISON MCDONOUGH
Math Tutor
Mathnasium
413 612 2877
longmeadow@mathnasium.com
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As the school year winds down and summer break approaches, many students look forward to a time of relaxation and fun. However, it's essential to ensure that their hard-earned math skills don't become rusty over the long break. Fortunately, there are numerous engaging and enjoyable activities that parents and educators can encourage to keep those mathematical gears turning throughout the summer months.
1. MATH GAMES GALORE: Turn math practice into a game! There are countless board games, card games, and online resources designed specifically to make math fun. Games like "Math Bingo," "24 Game," or even classic board games like Monopoly can help reinforce mathematical concepts while keeping kids entertained.
2. MATH IN THE KITCHEN: Cooking and baking provide excellent opportunities for hands-on math learning. From measuring ingredients to adjusting recipe quantities, every step involves mathematical calculations. Encourage kids to double or halve recipes, convert measurements, and calculate cooking times to make math a part of their culinary adventures.
3. MATH SCAVENGER HUNTS: Organize scavenger hunts with mathematical clues and challenges. Hide math problems around the house or yard, and let kids solve them to find the next clue. This activity not only reinforces math skills but also encourages critical thinking and problem-solving.
4. MATH IN NATURE: Take advantage of outdoor activities to explore math in nature. Counting flowers, measuring tree heights, estimating distances, or identifying geometric shapes in the environment are all great ways to integrate math into outdoor adventures. A hike or a trip to the park can become an interactive math lesson.
5. MATH THROUGH ART: Merge math with creativity by exploring mathematical concepts through art projects. From creating geometric patterns to exploring symmetry and tessellations, art offers a hands-on approach to understanding mathematical principles. Activities like origami, creating fractal designs, or even constructing geometric sculptures can spark interest in both math and art.
6. MATH READING ADVENTURES: Introduce children to math-themed books and literature. There are numerous storybooks, puzzles, and comics that incorporate math concepts in engaging narratives. Reading about math in a fun and relatable context can help demystify the subject and foster a positive attitude towards it.
7. VIRTUAL MATH CAMPS AND PROGRAMS: Explore online resources offering virtual math camps or enrichment programs. Many educational platforms provide interactive math courses, workshops, and challenges designed to keep students engaged and learning during the summer break. These programs often offer personalized learning experiences tailored to individual skill levels and interests. Reach out to us at Mathnasium to learn more about our virtual and in-person programs
Incorporating these activities into summer routines can help prevent the dreaded "summer slide" in math skills and even foster a deeper appreciation for the subject. By making math a natural part of everyday life and presenting it in engaging and varied ways, parents and educators can ensure that students return to school in the fall ready to tackle new mathematical challenges with confidence. So, let's make this summer a season of mathematical exploration and discovery!
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