Review: Summer Fit Learning

 
Summer Fit Learning
Description: Summer Fit Activity Books move summer learning beyond academics to also prepare children physically and socially for the grade ahead. Academic exercises are based on Common Core standards and include skills in math, reading, writing, language arts and science. Fitness exercises are designed to jump start the recommended 60 minutes of active play a day that children need to grow up healthy. Role models from throughout the world including Rosa Parks, Mother Teresa and Bethany Hamilton help reinforce core values such as honesty, respect and trustworthiness. Summer Fit extends the summer learning experience online with free reading and math digital downloads, book reports, health and wellness activities and fitness videos. * Based on Common Core: math, reading, writing, language arts and science * Exercises jump start the recommended 60 minutes of daily movement and play * Role models reinforce core values, good character and social skills * Integrated academics and physical activities reinforce the importance of the body-brain connection * Free digital downloads.

My Review:
Here's what to expect: Each week, there is a focus on a value. Each day, the child is given 2 pages of work, with an exercise tip that is placed at the top of the 2nd page. I think it's a perfect way to break up the work. There is a tracker at the beginning of each week, where the child can mark 20 minutes of reading and each page completed. There is also a suggested summer reading list near the beginning of the book.
 
I have two kids that are the perfect ages for these books! When I saw them available, I jumped on them because I'm a big believer that it's important to keep kids learning over these long breaks from school and I sometimes struggle to keep the momentum going. What I failed to realize is the grade that each book prepares the child for. I have a girl who is going into 3rd grade. She's pretty advanced in most subjects, so when I saw "2nd-3rd grade" and "3rd-4th grade," I couldn't decided which to do.l I assumed it was work that was for a 2nd-3rd grader, not a 2nd grader going into 3rd grade. So I got the older one. My daughter was able to do most of the work with ease, but she's not very proficient in her multiplication and division yet, so she struggled there.

My son is going into 6th grade and I did get the right book for him. He struggles with school, so there were some things that I had to explain to him, but for the most part, he did fine. I thought the pages they did weren't too hard and weren't too easy. My kids didn't rush through them in 2 seconds--it took a little time to get things done.

This is a great way to keep kids engaged during the summer without overwhelming them. There's also a great website you can use!