Here’s the deal…
For our elementary and middle school students, the transition back to school in September can be bumpy. My rising 5th grader is doing math review 3x/week throughout the summer so that she can move to the more challenging concepts with ease come September. She’s also reading daily and is going to do a little “preview” of 5th grade math in August so that she feels confident as she learns in the fall.
Below, we’ve outlined, by grade, what your child can do during pre-season to start the year with the grades they need:
4th–6th graders:
Read, read, read…and keep those math fundamentals strong!
Check out our reading list and review foundational math concepts (think all things fractions, decimals, percentages, basic geometry, converting units, word problems, & logic) at least 3x/week.
We work weekly with our younger students to review material from the year before, introduce upcoming math concepts and assign homework for review. We also like to ensure that these students have a fundamental understanding of basic grammar rules.
Rising 7th graders:
Get organized!
7th graders need systems in place that allow them to track increasingly demanding workloads and often work with executive functioning coaches ahead of 7th grade. Some schools, like Spence, introduce Exeter math in 7th grade, a conceptual shift worth previewing in August.
We also expect our rising 7th graders to be fluent in the 5 paragraph essay and have the beginnings of analytical language and thinking.
Rising 8th graders:
Review pre-Algebra and preview the first month of Algebra I (some 8th graders are already onto Algebra II).
Our boys at St. Bernard’s and Buckley are particularly well-served by reviewing their (extra challenging) grammar ahead of September.
Let’s chat about your child’s specific needs and find the right team to support their transition into the school year.
Warmly,
Sasha DeWind
CEO
Tutor Associates
