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What Should We Do Over Summer Break?

Do We Really Need Two Months Off?

The last few weeks of school are often unproductive for most classrooms, which has led many school to research if summer break is the best option. In The History of School and Summer Vacation, James Pedersen discusses the contrast between U.S. schools and other higher achieving schools internationally; one noted difference is the length of the school year as many international schools have school year round (Journal of Inquiry and Action in Education). Pedersen explains that historically many schools throughout the United States have adjusted the typical 9- or 10-month school year and experimented with year-round school to increase student achievement and reduce summer learning loss. Throughout these studies there has been some evidence of year-round schools being beneficial for elementary and middle school students, but no significant improvement was seen at the high school level.

So with that research, wouldn't educators want to significantly reduce summer break? No.

Although there are benefits to reducing the time off from classroom learning, there are also opportunities students would miss out on that are significant to their growth and development. From missions trips to summer employment, church camps to family vacations; without a summer break students would miss these life-changing opportunities. Students need designated time to focus their attention on development that occurs outside of the classroom.

Breaks are not only beneficial for the students, but schools must consider the consequences of year-round school on the teachers. Teachers typically make around 1,500 decisions a day in their classrooms which can lead to decision fatigue (Continental Press, Education Week, & Edutopia). Dr. Tina Boogren says that teachers make more minute by minute decisions than brain surgeons (GROW Professional Learning). Teachers need a break from constant decision-making. In an EdSource article Heath Madom states the benefit of consistent breaks for a teacher's mental health (EdSource). 

I believe it is vital for the well-being of teachers and students to have a solid summer break. But the best summer break includes opportunities for our students to continue their education. So what is summer for? Summer should not simply be a time to turn a student or teacher's brain off, and just do what feels good; but it should be a time to explore the world we live in, have new experiences, and exercise our minds and bodies.

Explore. Experience. Exercise.


Students should be provided time to explore their world. These opportunities may be simply playing in their backyard or visiting the local beach. As I trained to become a middle school math teacher one of the things I repeatedly heard was the importance of learning through discovery. I was taught that if I could lead students to discover mathematical concepts on their own with only minimal intervention by myself, the students would understand and remember the concept significantly better. This is true both in the classroom and in exploration of the world we live in. Providing our children with opportunities to explore God, nature, friendships, their neighborhood, and community allows them to discover learning without direct instruction. Ultimately this kind of learning leads them to a great depth of knowledge.

Students also need to have new experiences through the summer months. These experiences could be family vacations, summer camps, learning a new craft, or engaging in a new activity. In an ideal world every classroom lesson would be in the form of independent exploration or a field trip. Recently I was able to attend our 8th grade Washington DC trip. What I experienced in this trip brought history to life and created a greater hunger for knowledge of our nation's past. Students can have similar experiences in church camps that create a greater hunger for God, or through family vacations that open their understanding to new places or periods of time. Experiences can stoke a desire for greater learning that a classroom lesson would never compare to.

Finally, the summer break provides students with opportunities to exercise their minds and bodies in different areas. Through exploration and experience their mind are engaged and exercised in unique ways. With the additional free time and good weather, summer provides students with the opportunity to adventure outdoors or engage in sports. It is also important to note in this section that if you do have a student who is significantly struggling in a specific academic area, summer is a wonderful time for them to exercise on that area and grow through tutoring, online courses, or summer enrichment classes; but I would caution you to not make their entire summer about achieving academically. 

Make the Most of this Summer

Exploring, experiencing, and exercising all require a level of investment from parent through planning and financing. Each year I try to create a summer schedule for our family that allows for exploring, experiencing, and exercising while still allowing for rest. And no, I do not have the entire summer off and cannot take my kids on explorations all over the world, but I can create opportunities on weekends, days off, or with family friends. As you plan, I caution you to not overcommit yourself or your student as that will leave you both depleted. Find one opportunity for each area of explore, experience, and exercise and commit to those. Then have optional activities you can add if it works for your family. Planning will take time, but the potential benefits to these summer opportunities is significant for their growth and development.

I hope you have an incredible summer break!
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