During the time when students are finishing up their last few days of school before summer, many parents may notice that barely any homework has come home in weeks.  The school year continues to wind down, and those mere 180 days of school (compared to Japanese students who spend 243 days in school) dwindle away since major testing has already concluded.  Although standardized testing is very important, learning shouldn't stop just because there is not an exam to prepare for.  When summer is upon us, it is the perfect time to focus on those subjects that are often not emphasized in testing (science, history, geography, foreign languages) and brush up on any areas of English or math that were tossed to the wayside because the curriculum kept moving.  

By the end of fifth grade, students should know the location of the 50 states and the names of their capitals.  Ideally, they would be able to spell them all correctly, too.  Does your child know the capital of Montana?

Does your third grader know how to correctly use a dictionary?  Can your 4th grader effectively utilize a thesaurus?  At this point in students' studies, they should not only know how to use these materials, but also consistently employ them in order to improve their writing.

In a perfect world, your child should be exposed to a second language from infancy.  However, if you missed this optimal bilingual opportunity, it is not too late to introduce a new language.  Unfortunately, most elementary school classrooms in California do not spend any time presenting a foreign language to their students.  Although some schools offer foreign language classes during middle and high school, it is not a requirement by the California State Standards.  In an increasingly globalized world, acquiring a second language is becoming more and more imperative to many businesses.  Is your child on the path to compete?

If your children seem to be behind, now is the time to invest in a tutor.  Just a session or two a week can not only maintain the comprehension they have, but dramatically prepare your child for their next grade.  One of your best resources can be a college student who is home from school.  A college student who is studying in the subject your student is having difficulty in can not only provide a wealth of knowledge but, more effectively spark an interest in your child.  In addition, college students are great role models for life, long learning and pursuing higher education.  Yes, summer is the time for lots of fun, but not at the cost of your student's year of hard work at school.