I’ve been asked to share our “Summer Folder” system that we’ve been using for the past three years…. believe it or not, my kids love it (OK, maybe they don’t LOVE it), but they do ask to do it every summer (which surprised me after the first summer) and here we are four years later…. today is the last day of school and my 10 and 12 year olds both asked me if we could do it again this summer. Starting on Monday. #soproud
Here’s the nuts and bolts….
I came up with a “Summer Folder” system for the kids. Each kiddo got their own folder and inside each folder was a reading log (reading 30 minutes per day) and some educational (grade-level appropriate) worksheets that needed to be done THAT DAY.
On the front of the organizer was also a task list with what needs to be accomplished before any screen time or play time or connecting with friends or hanging out at the pool THAT DAY.
The worksheets in the folder were “Themed” based on the day:
Math Monday– I searched for websites that would provide age appropriate worksheets with answer keys. I would also do simple addition, subtraction, multiplication and division worksheets. This summer my kids will use their Moby Math sign-ons to supplement.
Typing Tuesday– I found a GREAT typing website that allows me to be a teacher and assign students so I can go in and check their progress (and time logged, etc.) I highly recommend this site (so far). http://www.typingweb.com
Writing Wednesday– This was more handwriting than creative writing. With today’s communication all being done electronically, I think it’s important to still work on handwriting. Some of the worksheets were simply copying sentences, or writing out spelling words three times, or answering a question or two. Just write. Holding a pen or pencil. Cursive or printing, I don’t care. Just WRITE.
Thinking Thursday– aka “essay”. Ha! Actually, most of these were creative writing prompts. There are many websites with writing prompts or story starters, but for really creative “kids” stories, go to http://www.scholastic.com/teachers/story-starters/
Finish-Up Friday– This was so that they could finish up any worksheets they hadn’t completed yet (because sometimes things happen).
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Anyway- it was a great system and did involve some effort on my part, but nothing too challenging. The internet is a great resource- you just need that and a printer! I also have a few “partly used” summer curriculum books from previous years. I’m tearing out the still blank pages and putting them in folders for the kids. Even though those books were for Pre-K, K, 1st – 4th grade…..anything that makes them think is better than nothing!
Here are some great websites for summer learning…
Creative Writing Story Starters: http://www.thestorystarter.com/jr.htm
Printables for Middle School: http://www.education.com/worksheets/middle-school/
Pre-cursive writing lessons: http://donnayoung.org/penmanship/sm-zaner-bloser.htm
Cursive handwriting worksheets by letter: http://donnayoung.org/penmanship/cursive-words.htm
Free Online Typing Course: http://www.goodtyping.com/
Another Free Online Typing Course: http://www.typingweb.com
Everything- every topic for every grade level: http://www.education.com/worksheets/all/
Elisa's Ramblings 