Painlessly keep math skills sharp this summer.

by Michele Ranard, M.Ed.
615 words

I can see it now. That first morning of summer vacation, your kids will come rushing down the stairs for breakfast pleading, “Math! Sweet, dear, fractions and decimals! Please! CAN WE SOLVE EQUATIONS ALL DAY?” It could happen! Or not.

Funny thing about math—it doesn’t elicit the same excitement as say, a trip to Disney or the sound of the ice cream truck. No one seems to miss regrouping or finding place value when school’s out and the Wii beckons.

But when the school year rolls around, many students are suddenly sorry. Memory for math facts or long division may be rusty, and the rules for simplifying fractions may be history (like the ice cream man).

As a math tutor, I have found the easiest way to keep kids sharp during the summer is to stay INVOLVED. If you simply toss a workbook in front of them and disappear, chances are, it will collect more dust than completed pages. I have also discovered students have a preference to do math in the kitchen in the summer (is that because it’s a place of comfort?). Need fresh ideas for happy math kids in the sunshine?

Younger Students

*Geometry Geniuses. Drag out the container of wooden blocks, and let them have at it. Seriously! Visual discrimination and geometry skills will be sharpened, and they may have forgotten about the joy of building.

*Moto Math. Even for short commutes, give your child mental math problems to solve. You could ask, “Can you name a few ways to make seven?” or “How many cookies will I have if four friends each give me two?”

*Guess the Digit in a Minute. This can be played anytime and almost anywhere. Think of a number, give them a range, and then let them ask yes or no questions for clues (Is it even? Is it greater than 7?).

*That’s a Fact, Jack. Skip the flash cards! To practice math facts, break out the crayons, markers, fruit chews or M&Ms, and scratch paper. They practice fact families by writing four colorful sentences for each fact (2+4=6, 4+2=6, 6-2=4, and 6-4=2). The treats sit in a little pile next to the page, and they reward themselves with one treat for each completed “family.”

Older Students

*Rip, Review & Rice Krispie Treats. Snag a used textbook comparable to the one from school (eBay, Amazon, school) and tear out end of chapter “reviews” or “tests.” Answer keys are often in back. Why tear them out? A single page won’t overwhelm like the whole heavy volume can. Assign one test per week, pair it with Rice Krispy treats or a favorite snack, and supervise (maybe organize kitchen cabinets or clean out the frig while they work nearby).

*Pull a Bobby Flay. Cook or bake together, discussing quantities in the recipes. Let them do the measuring, and quiz them (How many cups in a quart? Quarts in a gallon? Ounces in a quarter pound?).

*Unplug With Abandon. Use the time as a rare tech-free opportunity to connect with your kids. Yahtzee, Uno, Othello, Top it, Mancala, Connect Four, Pentago, cribbage, and blackjack are a few possible games to play.

*Gorgeous Girly-Math. Check out Danica McKellar’s book series, “Math Doesn’t Suck” from the library. Her creative approach to engage tween and teen girls may expand her vision of math.

All Ages

*Take it to the Net. Check out sites such as www.aaamath.com, where you can click on their grade for appropriate drills. It’s fun, interactive, and painless!

Summer vacation is a wonderful time to practice math since the stress of exams and report cards no longer looms over them. Here’s hoping you’ll make the sweet summer days COUNT!

Michele Ranard is a math tutor, professional counselor, and freelancer. She has blogs at hellolovelychild.blogspot.com and hellolovelyinc.blogspot.com.