Learning shouldn’t stop when school’s out

Today as I basked in the glorious sunshine on the porch adjacent to my classroom at Glacier View reading “The Adventures of Tom Sawyer” with my middle school language arts class, it became quite evident that summer vacation is fast approaching.

The kids have been getting progressively more “twitchy,” as I like to call it, there are vacant seats that used to be occupied by seniors, and somehow schedules are more congested now than they have been all year, if that’s at all possible. The principal has sent out numerous memos: grades due, awards due, library books due, everything is due. By the time you read this, the students will be on their summer vacation from school, but hopefully it will not be a vacation from learning. This summer, strive to turn the inevitable “I’m bored” into valuable learning opportunities.

This summer, instead of plugging kids into the myriad electronic devices that occupy Valley homes, take time to capitalize on our students’ hard work during the academic year by reinforcing valuable lessons during the summer. In the greater Matanuska and Susitna valleys we have innumerable opportunities to reinforce health and history lessons on sunny days: a hike in historic Hatcher Pass and Independence Mine, a walking tour of the Alpine Historical Park in Sutton, or possibly a hike along a section of the historic Nelchina Trail. Pick up a copy of “The Hiker’s Guide to Alaska” by Evan and Margaret Swensen for ideas, and while you are at it, supplement the “lesson” with some local geology trivia from “Roadside Geology of Alaska” by Cathy Connor and Daniel O’Haire. Hiking and spending active time outdoors contributes to a healthy lifestyle, and a little history never hurt anyone.

Yet another opportunity to reinforce good study habits on sunny days is to compile a list of simple chores that can be completed easily and independently. Frequently, a student’s work habits at school stem from work habits at home. Consider giving payment for chores accomplished well and on time, and then help your child start an informal savings fund for a coveted item. This activity can lead to teaching important life skills such as saving money, paying bills and, of course, delaying gratification.

Not only can you take advantage of sunny days to extend your child’s learning, but you can also foster learning experiences on those overcast, drizzly Alaska summer days. When the temperature drops and the sky turns gray, pull out a favorite book and share it with your child. Or, vice versa: Ask your child to share his or her favorite book with you. To encourage reading further, take kids to the library and get library cards; be sure that each family member has their own.

Other beneficial activities include building models, cooking or baking. These activities cultivate the ability to follow step-by-step instructions. Finally, break out the educational games. Scrabble, Balderdash, Anagrams, crossword puzzles and word finds can build vocabulary. In the event of a prolonged period of drizzle when kids just have to watch television, try to engage them in educational programming like wildlife programs, or programs regarding historical events or societal interest.

Above all, spend meaningful time with kids. Plan road trips to any of Alaska’s spectacular destinations — the Anchorage Museum, the Alaska Sealife Center in Seward, Denali National Park or Kennicott/McCarthy (to name a few). Take this time to bond with the younger generation. Engage them on the long car rides rather than letting them “plug-in” to hand-held video games or MP3 players. You remember the license plate game, the alphabet game, 20 Questions, and I-Spy? They will too.

From all the Mat-Su Valley teachers, have a fantastic summer. We look forward to seeing our students in the fall, ready and willing to learn with all sorts of stories about the “cool stuff” they did with their families and friends over summer vacation. If nothing else, these activities will give them something to write about on their first day of English class. That’s their first “A” of the new school year.

Claudia Berkley teaches at Glacier View School.