When I Assign The Homework

Summer is meant for fun. But, we have to do some school work so Zach doesn't forget. We have a routine that works for us. I developed it when he was finishing Kindergarten and continue it today as he approaches 4th grade. It has modified over time. Adjusted as needed.

Monday: reading 30 minutes and writing a reasonable sized fully edited paragraph (any topic)

Tuesday: Word problem pages from the word problem workbook for the grade he is entering

Wednesday: reading 30 minutes and writing a reasonable sized fully edited paragraph (any topic)

Thursday: Math pages from the regular math workbook for the grade he is entering (not word problems)

I added the writing and word problem workbook this year. He used to do Math from the regular Math workbook both days. It means more pages per day now. But, he used to do extra pages anyway. Writing and word problems are weaknesses we need to work on. He doesn't do this all summer. He starts the summer in an enrichment based summer camp. His choice. When the camp is over, he moves on to the work I assign.

It's basically six weeks of this as part of the routine. He chooses the books and the writing topics. For math, the topics for the week are the same for both books. Example, this week is addition and subtraction. He did the word problems on Tuesday and is working on the fast facts pages while I type this.

For Math, it's more then one page. I go through the workbooks while he's in camp. Then, I choose the pages that are around his level. I also choose one or two he might not have learned how to do yet. I show him how to give him practice. At the end of the summer, the math unit is a new topic. This year, it will be angles. His protractor is ready to go. Last year, it was multiplication.

During the school year they started multiplication in December. He had remembered it from August and thrived with it in school. It also made learning division easier in January. He likes having these additional challenges. He has a mathematical and scientific mind. This is like a sneak peak into the next grade. But, if he struggles with a new skill even after I show him, we skip it.

It takes about the same length as his homework during the regular school year to complete. His report cards are always awesome! Clearly, this approach works for Zach. We all have to figure out how to keep education in the summer so our kids don't forget. It's teacher recommended. This might work for Zach. But, it might be too much for other kids.

When I assign the homework in the summer, I have to balance the work with plenty of summer fun. That's why he gets Friday, Saturday, and Sunday off. We also go to the pool a lot. This is the summer balancing act for parents of school age kids.

These are the math books Zach is using this year. They come for K - 8.


Word Problems:

https://www.amazon.com/Word-Problems-Grade-4-Spectrum/dp/1624427308/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1532633821&sr=8-4&keywords=spectrum+math+grade+4

Math:

https://www.amazon.com/Spectrum-Math-Workbook-Grade-4/dp/1483808726/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1532633821&sr=8-3&keywords=spectrum+math+grade+4