4 MIN READ

Reading and Math Matrices for Summer Learning

Making learning fun!

Reading

Download a Printable Reading Matrix Here

Reading activities focus on four elements of language: reading, listening, writing and speaking. Anything that encourages these four elements can help build reading skills. The most important part of developing reading skills is creating an environment of fun and excitement around the tasks. Model the ways you use reading in your daily life so your child can see you reading. Tie the activities into everyday living rather than making it feel like a chore. If your child enjoys a certain subject and age-appropriate type of books (picture books, non-fiction books, graphic novels or a certain series) embrace that alongside them.

• As you drive to and from summer activities, point to signs and ask your child to identify them.
• Read a picture book aloud to your child.
• Make it a habit to ask compare and contrast questions. (Which ice cream is darker? Is it warmer in the sun or shade?)
• Create your own story books about your family going on an adventure.
• Print an alphabet board and make a game of finding letters while out in the community, or make one using your child’s name.
• Encourage speaking by making puppets and telling a story.
• Write letters to friends, family, and teachers. If your child is at a pre-writing or reading, provide sentence starters and two or more correct answers so they can choose what to say.
• Practice sequencing by following a fun and simple recipe.
• Visit StorylineOnline.net for some fun new books and stories.
• Create a grocery shopping list using either words or pictures and task your child with helping find the items in the store.
• Visit SpecialNeedsForSpecialKids.org and access a free library of activities and resources.
• Encourage your child to order their own food at a restaurant. Prepare by accessing an online menu and role playing.
• Choose a chapter book you loved at your child’s age. Read it aloud to your child. If necessary, start with only a few minutes and build up to longer periods of time.
• Read two versions of the same fairy tale. Encourage your student to compare and contrast the two stories.
• Find a wordless book and ask your child to tell you the story they see. (Tuesday by Chris Van Allsburg is a favorite.)
• Encourage early literacy skills by having your child hold the book, turn pages, and point to words as you read.
• Use your child’s favorite toys to retell stories. Encourage your child to participate as well.
• Find books or stories with repeated phrases and have your child read the repeated phrase along with you.
• Use shaving cream (or sugar free Cool Whip) on a baking tray as a fun alternative to paper. Draw letters or pictures using fingers, forks, or sticks.
• If your child is already a strong reader, choose a book to read “together” then check in with weekly (or daily) book club sessions.

Math

Download a Printable Math Matrix Here

Math activities focus on the areas of number recognition, counting, quantity, spatial reasoning, and sorting by characteristics. Any activities that practice these skills will build mathematic reasoning.

• Use shaving cream (or sugar free Cool Whip) on a baking tray as a fun alternative to paper. Draw numbers or pictures using fingers, forks or sticks.
• During snack time, create patterns or shapes with your child using their snack food.
• Have a shape of the day and look for it wherever you go.
• Have a math-based game night! Games like Monopoly, Sorry, or Hi Ho! Cherry-O all involve counting. Candy Land works on colors. Have your child match fun patterned socks by pattern and color! *Bonus: have them count the number of pairs they make.
• Make a trail mix, count scoops of favorite treats, and shake it up! Or do it in reverse and ask them to sort the items.
• Use a visual support to help your child pack outfits for a family vacation, or even just for the day. Matching a single top to a single bottom builds one to one correspondence, an important skill.
• Count the seeds in a slice of watermelon. Have your child help you with dinner. It may take a little more time, but you can work on all kinds of measurement techniques (volume, length, fractions).
• When you’re in the car set a color of the day. Have your child make a tally mark for each car of that color they see.
• Practice fractions by cutting a circle of watermelon then cutting it into a number of pieces, much like you would a pizza. (Or just have your child count the number of slices.)
• Practice odd and even numbers by putting items in pairs. If there’s one left over, the number is odd. Use real or play money to practice creating a dollar. If your child needs additional support, create a money mat by tracing around coins.
• Make a trip to the store and have your child count the cash to make a purchase themselves. You can also pre-plan by looking online (don’t forget tax).
• Visit SpecialNeedsForSpecialKids.org and access a free library of activities and resources.
• Practice weighing items on a bathroom or kitchen scale. Use cookie cutters to create shapes in play dough (or cookie dough, yum!).
• If your child isn’t quite ready to count money on their own, offer two different amounts and ask which is correct.
• Practice packing a suitcase. Let your child figure out the best way to fit everything into the space.
• As your child is helping clean up their toys, work on positioning words. (That book goes on the shelf. This truck goes under the bed. Etc.)

As with any learning, the more fun and seamless you can make it, the more children will engage with the learning. If you model how you use math in real-life scenarios your child is more likely to see the advantage. Not every student can build every skill right away, but always assume your child can do something and then support where they show you they need help.