Summer Workbooks

Summer is half way over – I can’t believe it.  We started off the summer with a trip to Lakeshore learning store for a few workbooks to keep the kids busy up on Math this summer.  If you are planning on doing school work with your kids this summer here are some of the things that have worked for us.  If possible, plan a time each day to bring the workbooks to the public library, free of distractions.

Timmy starts kindergarten in the Fall.  For him, I found these dry erase books that have been an excellent resource.  I can take them anywhere and he practices tracing his letters.  These are sold at local super centers or through amazon.  I would highly recommend these books because they are so portable.

Matilda is starting second grade and her teacher recommended these small workbooks that go over certain Math concepts from First grade.  Here we are working on telling time and counting money.  She loves all the illustrations and reward stickers that come with these small workbooks.  The workbooks she used were published by Flash kids and are very small and easy to transport.  I have used the Summer Bridge workbooks or other that go over several subjects, but have found those not to be very effective.  Stick with a few skills and build upon what they already know.

Timmy also likes the small “Preschool Activities” workbooks.  There are reward stickers and a maze that he fills out as he goes showing his progress.  It is important not to overwhelm the little guys.

My older girls would not allow me to take a picture of them working on summer math.  For them I have used the Spectrum Math program.  I buy the year that they have just completed so it is a review.  Some chapters may seem overwhelming with tons of arithmetic, but I feel this helps develop the skills needed to be good test takers.  If they do well on the chapter pre-test I sometimes let them do all odd or all even problems.  When they finish the mid-test they get a special outing of their choice.  The same holds true for successfully finishing the final test.  I allow the kids to grade their own papers using the answer key in the back. So far this has helped them stay up on their Math skills. Happy Summer!