Posted by ICON School on Jun 25, 2019 9:19:30 AM
Hello, Summer! You’re likely looking forward to all the warmth, sunshine, popsicles, BBQ’s and memories that Summer has to offer. However, Summer may also mean that it’s time to buckle down (just a bit!) to help your child finish some classes in Summer school. Whether you’re looking to fill some make up classes for your child or you’re trying to get them ahead of the game, there are a few things to keep in mind if you’re going to survive Summer school together.
1. Don’t Feel Guilty for Choosing Education
So many parents can feel guilty for making their child take classes during the Summer while everyone else is vacationing. However, the truth is that a balance is usually what’s needed to make sure children don’t suffer from learning loss. All students, but especially struggling students can suffer from learning loss if they take too long of a break from learning. This means that it’s actually very beneficial for your child to learn while they’re “on break” from school to keep their brain juices flowing. Reading and math are two of the most common skills that kids tend to lose their grip on over the Summer, which is why many educators recommend at least encouraging trips to the Library and S.T.E.M. camps.
2. Pick the Right Courses
This may seem like a no-brainer, but the truth is that choosing which classes your child takes during the Summer and where they take them is important. For example, if your child is an achiever and they are placed in a classroom of students who are stuck there because they failed courses, that’s probably not the motivating environment that’s needed for them to succeed. This is where parents have found online school to benefit their child because others won't hinder them, and they can work ahead as much as they want. Online school is excellent for students trying to get ahead. Furthermore, it may surprise you to hear that online students actually get more time to interact with their teachers than students in classrooms.
3. Create Structure
Summer is usually all about forgetting structure, but in Summer school structure is key to success. There is great flexibility with online Summer school, which means you can set the schedule that works for you rather than relying on a brick and mortar school schedule. You and your child can work together to come up with a schedule that works for both of you and allows them to still enjoy their Summer and won’t leave you with a headache.
Creating structure in your environment is also important. Provide a space that is set aside in your home for school, even if that’s as simple as providing a desk. Ideally, it will be somewhere that is reasonably distraction-free so they can focus, and then when they’ve finished their school work they can resume their Summer activities.
4. Be Creative with Your Time
You’ve got the flexibility if you’re having your child take online courses, so get creative! You don’t have to sacrifice Summer fun for your child to learn. Reinforce what they are learning in their classes through supplemental activities like trips to the zoo, reciting vocab words while playing catch, etc. You can even take their school work on the road with you, and they can do it at times that make the most sense so that they don’t have to miss out on the family vacation.
5. Track Your Child’s Progress
Don’t just assume everything is going well. Invest time in your child’s education and check in with them to see how they’re doing. Check in with their teachers to make sure everyone is on the same page and to make sure your child is on track. By maintaining a schedule, as we discussed earlier, you can ensure that your student is performing the assignments they need to every day. At ICON, we love when parents are investing in their children and show concern for their wellbeing and success!
Free Online SUmmer School
Are you looking to enroll your child in a flexible, online program for the Summer? We can help! ICON serves Idaho students with tuition-free classes to help them get ahead, catch up, or work at their own pace. Find out more about this free online school option for your child.