Preventing Learning Loss Over Summer Break: How to Prevent the “Summer Slide” in Science


Summer break is a time for relaxation and fun, but for students, it can also be a period of significant learning loss. As a middle school science teacher, I have seen firsthand how the “summer slide” can impact students’ academic progress. While we want students to enjoy their summer break, it is important to find engaging and creative ways to keep them connected to learning. With a few proactive strategies, we can help students maintain their science skills and knowledge over the summer, which will make a big impact on their overall success in science for the upcoming school year.




Here are some tips and activities you can use to help prevent learning loss and keep students immersed in science while they’re on summer break!




Understanding Learning Loss




Before we dive into strategies you can employ to combat learning loss, it’s important to understand what learning loss is. Learning loss refers to the decline in knowledge and academic skills that students experience when they are not engaged in educational activities for an extended period.




“Research shows that students can lose up to two months of reading and math skills over the summer, and the impact can be even more pronounced in science due to the hands-on nature of the subject” (Cooper et al., 1996).




Understanding that learning loss can and does occur over summer break is the first step in determining what can be done to help prevent it in the first place. Now that you know what learning loss is, let’s explore some ways you can help keep your kids engaged and immersed in science over summer break! 

Learning Loss Definition




Strategies to Prevent Learning Loss




1. Encourage Reading and Research




Reading is fundamental to learning in all subjects, including science. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), “students who read books regularly not only show better reading skills but also perform better in subjects like mathematics and science” (OECD, 2010). Summer break is the perfect time to encourage students to read science-related books, articles, and magazines. Provide them with a summer reading list that includes a variety of genres, such as biographies of scientists, science fiction, and popular science books.




2. Promote Hands-On Activities




Science is best learned through hands-on experiences. Encourage students to engage in simple science experiments at home using everyday materials. For example, they can create a homemade volcano, grow crystals, or build a simple circuit. Providing a list of safe, easy-to-follow experiments can help students explore scientific concepts in a fun and interactive way. There are tons of hands-on science experiments and STEM challenges you can find using a simple internet search. Better yet, find activities that allow you to use recycled materials or common household items to keep the projects more eco-friendly and cost-conscious. 




3. Leverage Online Resources




There are numerous online resources available that can help students continue learning science over the summer. Websites like Khan Academy, PhET Interactive Simulations, and Mystery Science offer free educational content and interactive lessons. Khan Academy is a trusted resource to help students learn about and explore cross-cutting science concepts in an immersive and engaging way. PhET Interactive Simulations provides students with the ability to explore real-world science phenomena through science investigations that are sure to pique their curiosity. Mystery Science is a great resource that hooks kids by providing them with mysterious information that they will better understand after a science exploration. 




Websites like National Geographic Kids and NASA’s Climate Kids offer engaging and educational content that can spark curiosity. On National Geographic Kids, children can choose science topics that interest them, like gemstones, endangered species, or how to help protect planet Earth. NASA’s Climate Kids is an engaging website that allows kids to learn about the many factors impacting our Earth’s atmosphere, climate, and weather. This website will help them explore and understand climate change and its impacts on Earth. Encourage students to explore these free online resources and that is sure to get them engaged in science and exploring real-world science phenomena.




4. Foster a Love for Nature




Nature provides endless opportunities for scientific exploration. Encourage students to spend time outdoors, whether it’s in their backyard, at a local park, or on a family trip. They can observe wildlife, collect and identify different types of plants and rocks, or track the phases of the moon. Kids can sample ponds and creek water to discover microscopic organisms that make up these complex marine ecosystems. Search the National Park Service database to find a free park near you to start exploring today! 




Regardless of how your kids explore nature, encourage your kids to journal their experiences and write down their science observations in a notebook or electronically to document what they discover. Journaling their observations can help reinforce scientific inquiry and critical thinking skills, just as scientists record observations during experiments in a real-life laboratory. 




5. Organize Science Challenges and Competitions




A little friendly competition can be a great motivator. A great way to get kids engaged is to organize summer STEM challenges. These challenges can allow fun and friendly competition among multiple kids, but can also work for one child. These STEM challenges could include building the tallest tower out of index cards, creating the strongest tower using spaghetti noodles and marshmallows, or creating a Rube Goldberg machine. You could even have them design an eco-friendly invention and present it to you as if they were on the hit show Shark Tank, where they will have to persuade you to invest in their invention. Provide guidelines and incentives to encourage participation and creativity. You will be blown away by how creative kids can be when we provide them with the opportunities to create and explore! 

STEM Activities




Conclusion




Preventing learning loss over summer break requires a combination of strategies that keep students engaged, curious, and connected to science. Learning doesn’t have to be traditional or boring; in fact, the best way to get students to learn is to provide them with hands-on and engaging experiences where they are so immersed they don’t even realize learning is taking place. By encouraging reading, hands-on activities, and exploration of the natural world, we can help our students retain their science knowledge and skills, setting them up for success in the new school year.




As a middle school science teacher, my goal is to inspire a love for science that extends beyond the classroom. Whether you are using one or all of these strategies to help prevent learning loss over the summer months, I hope you will foster a love for science and pique your child’s curiosity however you can during these important months. Let’s make this summer a season of discovery and learning!




References




Cooper, H., Nye, B., Charlton, K., Lindsay, J., & Greathouse, S. (1996). The effects of summer vacation on achievement test scores: A narrative and meta-analytic review. Review of Educational Research, 66(3), 227-268.




OECD. (2010). PISA 2009 Results: What Students Know and Can Do.






Ty Cook 1

Ty Cook is a middle school science teacher in his 11th year of teaching.  On my social media, he shares all of his classroom ideas, technology tips, engagement strategies, lessons, laughs and more.  His goal is to help inspire other teachers through sharing his journey in the classroom.  His guiding quote as a teacher is, “The best teachers are those who show you where to look, but don’t tell you what to see.”

Explore Ty’s blog at: www.cookintheclassroom.com



Source link

  • Related Posts

    What Does Catholic School Mean to Me?

    Written by Rosie Rios, chair of America250 and 43rd Treasurer of the United States As we recently celebrated Catholic Schools Week across the country, I am honored to write about…

    Creating a Culture of Change

    Written by Catapult Learning, [email protected] EmpowerU’s 1:1 coaching component proves critical in improving educator well-being and resilience. Situation Twelve K-8 Los Angeles Catholic schools were recipients of the “Fostering Culture…

    You Missed

    What Does Catholic School Mean to Me?

    What Does Catholic School Mean to Me?

    Creating a Culture of Change

    Creating a Culture of Change

    Empowering Faith Leadership in Catholic Schools

    Empowering Faith Leadership in Catholic Schools

    Seattle’s Innovative Approach to Catholic Schools Week

    Seattle’s Innovative Approach to Catholic Schools Week

    30-Day Board Exam Preparation Plan for 10th & 12th Class

    30-Day Board Exam Preparation Plan for 10th & 12th Class

    Leading All Children to Christ

    Leading All Children to Christ