Ahh, the lazy days of summer.
Time to sleep in.
Time to sit back and relax by the pool with a cool drink.
Time to watch every bit of information you worked so hard to share with your students just wash away like waves at the beach.
Umm...not so much.
We have all heard of the summer slip and we work hard to prevent it. This month, we want to share with you three tips for incorporating science into your summer. So that you can guarantee your students will be fresh and ready for when school begins once more!
Tip #1. Observe, Observe, Observe
The summer weather is a perfect time to get out and explore nature while building your students' observation skills. You can have them look at the environment around them and note the plants and animals they see. They can observe the movement and behaviors of the animals in the area, such as what trees the birds like to visit the most.
The students can see the changes and differences in the nature around them as they pay attention to it. Through these observations, the students will learn a lot about nature, and in turn a lot about science. If you want to learn more about nature study, check out the following:
Tip #2. Do the Really Big Experiments
If you don’t have a regular schedule during the summer, this is a great time to work on the really big experiments. You know, the ones that you put off doing during the year, like building a volcano or firing of a rocket. Not only will you be able to check the project off the list, but the student will also learn about science in the process.
The other option would be to have the students work on their science fair project during the summer. Although this would limit their presentation options, they will still have a successful learning experience. Check out the following series from Elemental Blogging to learn more about doing a science fair project:
Tip #3. Read, Read, Read
The summer is a great time to have the students lose themselves in a living book about science. It is also a great time to catch up on all the reading you missing during the year. Many libraries have a summer reading program that rewards students for the books they read during the season. Who's to say that you can't require that your students read at least one science book for their prize?
If you would like to learn more about what constitutes a living book or see some options, check out the following:
Follow Sassafras Science Adventures's board Living Books on Pinterest.You can easily add a bit of science to your summer through observations, big experiments, and living books. Doing so will ensure that what your students learned this past year will not magically disappear out of their minds!
Stop what you are doing, drop what is in your hands, grab a book, and start reading! And don't forget to come celebrate DEAR Day with Sassafras Science.
The new year is the perfect time to hit reset on our homeschool science plans. Click "Read More" to see the three negative thoughts we want to encourage you to ditch!
