TIPS & STRATEGIES FOR STUDENTS AND PARENTS AS WE APPROACH SUMMER- FOCUS ON MATH

Written by: Evette Nowicki

Hello dear CMASAS students and families!

We can see summer coming on the horizon.  I see it as the grass greens up, trees are budding and flowers are exploding all over.  I don’t know about you, but it makes me do a happy dance (in my head, if not with my feet!). As a high school math teacher for decades, I also recognize that summer is the time that the math brain gets little use…and starts to atrophy!  I know that “summer math packets” are a hated phrase, but I will say that a little bit goes a looooooong way to keep your math brain sharp all summer. 
 

Studies show that if you take an entire two or three month break with no math, it is MUCH harder to restart the engine.  So what to do? I recommend three things:

1.      Plan to take an actual summer with no enrolled classes to allow your brain some time to recharge. Try to finish the courses you are enrolled in, so that you don’t have them hanging over your head while you allow yourself to relax.

2.      Keep your math brain engaged in non-school ways: Play board games with family and friends, particularly ones that require some math/logic/spatial/analytical skills.  Some of my favorites include Blokus, Set, Qwirkle, Mancala, and Safecracker. Another fun way to engage your math brain is with math/logic/analytical computer games. I recommend Lumosity, Euclidea, and BrainHQ. 

3.      Challenge yourself as you gear back up for school to start. In the weeks prior to school starting again, set 30 minutes a few times per week to practice skills that may be rusty by reviewing your previous math course on Khan Academy or IXL.

This can apply to other subjects than math, but I will say I am a bit biased. I hope you find this to be helpful.  So, plan for a good summer, but one that does not let your math learning ooze out your ears!