If you took time to read Laura's book report on "Song of the Strangers" (Thank You!!), You probably remember she mentioned about her take on summer break.
"It’s summer break. If I were in China right now, I would probably be in Summer school. However, I am in America. In America summer is more relaxing. But when my mom says, “It’s time to do some math!” I naturally just go do the math worksheet. When I’m done with it, I feel a sense of accomplishment that I learned something new or strengthened some skills. In my mind, without a good balance between relaxing and learning in the summer, I feel the summer’s not complete."
My girls have been spending their summers with endless days of sleeping in, playing and swimming. Summer learning hasn't happen daily. It never did. But Laura has learned to make it such a natural part of her summer.
Just two days earlier, I read an article called "This Is Your Brain on Summer" on New York Times by Jeff Smink, the vice president of policy for National Summer Learning Association. In the article, Jeff writes about how summer off is one of the most important cause of underachievement in American schools. If students are not engaged in learning during summer, the loss on skills (especially in math and reading) is real.
Summer learning is a wonderful idea, if carried out in the right way. But I always believe it is the programs during the school year that need to be fixed. Only when students have very engaging and challenging programs during school days, then can we talk about the break, the real relaxation of the summer.
I felt so relived after reading Laura's writing. It's nice to know that she shared the same idea with me. As a Chinese Mom raising daughters in America, I feel I'm facing as many challenges as my daughters. For Laura, she feels she needs to find that "right balance"; for me, it's not just about the balance. It's more about the right way, the better way.
Comments