Summer Slide
Despite our cool mountain climate, Park City students are just as susceptible to summer's "Dog Days" as other kids. And while the official "Dog Days" don't start wagging their tails until July, our kids are barking and straining at their leashes right now.
Eighth grade is little more than a teenage anamnesis in a mere 19 days.
Historically, the "Dog Days" were admonished for boiling seas, souring wine, and turning otherwise model citizens into listless, lazy, and indifferent louts. Today, stocks with little to no potential are often referred to as "dogs." Current research shows that our children are just as susceptible to the influences of Sirius, the dog star, and his summer sultriness as were the ancient Romans.
According to the McREL News Room, student achievement declines over the summer under certain conditions. Two years ago Time Magazine called for an end to summer vacation all together, stating that it was especially detrimental to economically disadvantaged students. Reports vary on exactly how much students regress with respect to reading, writing, and math, but the average loss tends to be reported at right around two months. Two months may not sound like much, but it adds up, especially for kids who struggle in core content areas. I can testify that it takes approximately nine weeks, or until the end of first quarter, before many students settle back in to something that resembles forward progress.
Video games, in moderation, have shown to improve problem-solving skills, and they can promote safe risk-taking behaviors, and an Xbox nestled in a cool basement on a shimmering summer afternoon is a welcomed relief for many teens; however, what it boils down to for all students is that intellectual growth should never take a summer vacation.
I've included a few links and suggestions to keep summer slide and the Dog Days at bay. Kids can increase their vocabulary and feed the hungry in one place at Free Rice; they can record the details of their dog days in a journal or read the work of their peers and then submit their own at Teen Ink or SparkNotes, becoming published authors at the same time. And don't forget the Summit County Library and Park City Library. The Kumon Math and Reading Center of Park City provides enrichment opportunities as well.
Enjoy your Dog Days, and have a safe summer wherever Sirius takes you. I've enjoyed the class of 2017 tremendously. Your children are incredibly talented human beings; they inspire me to do my best every day. I thank you for sharing them with me this year.
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