How We Learn in Summer

On the sunny porch with a comfortable summer breeze, I reached the next chapter "Retention" in my summer reading,  How We Learn The Surprising Truth About When, Where, and Why It Happens by Benedict Carey.  It all started with the New York Times Book Review that tickled my curiosity. 

I picked up this book simply because I wanted to justify how I individualize my students when they learn.  It is uniquely true that there are so many different ways to learn new skills and gain knowledge. However, do learners (including myself) really know what strategy is the most effective?  Do we retain our understanding well enough to apply it into our life?

In the meantime, I was curious about how many American students retain their year long learning at an efficient level during their summer break. 

Japanese kids get out for their summer break usually on July 20th (one more week!) and come back to school on September 1st.  Whether you are a first grade student or a teacher, you will get summer homework.  The elementary school homework includes math and language arts workbooks, summer reading with a reflection paper, a science project, a swimming log, and a daily journal.  A couple of days before the summer break, the classroom teachers help students make their daily schedule, i.e., waking up time, bed time, play time, study time, etc.  Ms. Teacher would say, "You shouldn't go out to play before 10 am.  You have to finish your homework each day while it's cooler in the morning."  Attending the local 6:30 am National Radio Exercise in the local playground every morning has been the P.E requirement. Additionally, students have to report to school for one or two days during the break so that teachers can check on how they are doing on their homework and with life without school in general.  Sounds intense, doesn't it?  Teachers still lament, "The kids lost everything they have learned," when they come back in September.

Carey supports the idea of breaking up study time, changing rooms, and using distractions (music).  I wonder what might happen if Japanese kids break up their homework studying into increments, perhaps into three 15 minute sessions, such as in the morning, afternoon, and evening, rather than cramming it all during the cooler morning time.  I wonder what might happen if they intentionally choose different rooms each time, like the kitchen, bedroom, and perhaps  the local library if it's too hot during the daytime.  Each session, they should use the earplugs to access some music.  Ben Carey, I would like you to conduct this new study on Japanese kids just for me.  I want Japanese kids to feel unstressed during the summer, even if it's only a little bit.

For American kids, they have no problem finding free time, choosing rooms, and many have experienced music with a headset during the school year.  What they need is actual "Summer Assignments".  Bring a tablet on a vacation or even a car ride to play games like multiplication facts or sight words.  Bring a Kindle with you where you go to read during your spare time.  I don't think  kids have to work like a bee, but just don't be totally free for the WHOLE SUMMER! 

Retention techniques only work if you have the study materials.  As a classroom teacher, I hope kids go back to the addition/subtraction facts and think about/use reading strategies at least once a week anywhere they are in addition to doing family things that can only be experienced during the summer.  I look forward to seeing kids who are content and confident when they come back to school in September.