Ideas for Teaching Grades K-3 in Summer School
Summer school is a program designed by the school to provide educational opportunities over the summer months. For many students, summer school is a time to get extra help in subject that they struggle with. Summer school can also be a time for students to focus on a topic they really enjoy and would like to excel in. When planning a summer school curriculum, it's important to consider the age of your students to provide appropriate teaching materials.
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Less Structure, More Independence
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Because summer school is a time for students to do extra academic work over the summer, it isn't as necessary to have the same structure that is required during the school year. Allow students to tell you what they want to work on and what specific areas they struggle with at the start of the program, and develop the summer school curriculum around their needs. Check in regularly with students to make sure they're progressing towards their educational goals.
Take Advantage of the Weather
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Particularly for elementary age children, studying inside during the beautiful summer months can be very challenging. Strike a compromise by having some lessons outside and allowing recess times for children to take a break. You can also develop lessons around the outside world by incorporating nature walks and identifying plants and insects into a larger lesson on biology. Have students capture insects in large glass bottles, then study them in the classroom for an extra hands-on activity.
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Summer Reading
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The summer is a great time for students to practice developing their reading skills. At the beginning of the summer school program, ask students to set a reading goal for themselves to complete by the end of the program. Make sure they challenge themselves, but don't set a goal that is unrealistic. Have students keep a reading log to keep track of their progress, and offer incentives such as small toys and extra recess time for students who meet their goals.
Recess Art
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Summer school is no time to skimp on art instruction. Take advantage of the weather to have students do art projects outside, such as large-scale chalk drawings on parking lots or basketball courts. Encourage students to do art projects related to the summer, such as nature drawings and sand art. Water art is another fun activity for a hot day: Provide students with brushes and buckets of water, and have them paint on concrete, then watch as their paintings evaporate.
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References
- Photo Credit chldren teaching image by Julia Britvich from Fotolia.com
