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Jul 1, 2009 6:00 pm US/Central
Summer Homework Helps Kids Stay Smart
(WCCO)
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In St. Paul, new fifth- and sixth-graders at Highland Park Elementary have to complete four book reports before school starts in the fall.
CBS
Minnesota seems to be in sort of a holding pattern when it comes to reading and math test scores.
The Department of Education released new scores for seven different grades and they're remarkably similar from the year before.
One exception is high school juniors, who posted an 8-point jump in math.
The tests play a big role which schools live up to the No Child Left Behind Law.
Last year, 937 schools in Minnesota fell short of federal goals. That list is expected to be longer when the new list comes out in August.
The state testing director said he's pleased with the results, but not satisfied. He said more work needs to be done and some of that work is being done this summer.
Parents and students are making education part of their summer vacation.
The Odermann kids are still getting in some reading and math and they're not even aware of it.
"They don't really realize that their using their head to think through these games, but their using their cognitive skills to think through and play these games," said mom, Julie Odermann.
From
Uno to a game called
Allowance, the kids are keeping their math skills sharp this summer.
"If I can keep them thinking by playing different games that makes them think, then their muscles and their brains stay strong, so that they're ready for school time when it comes around in the fall," said the mother of four.
Jonathan Goins, the son of one of the WCCO producers, is going into the fourth grade.
Jonathan's teacher gave him homework to do while on summer break.
While this might sound cruel to some, he doesn't think so.
"It's good because when you go back to school, you forget things ... because you're used to doing math Monday through Friday," he said. "If we finished it and we turn it back to (the teacher) when school starts, then we get a prize."
Minneapolis schools are doing something different to keep students learning while on break.
First, summer classes are now six hours instead of four and they've added an algebra camp.
"We have camp where we're targeting students to participate in algebra -- where its hands on -- so that they'll be better prepared for the rigorous coursework," said Deputy Superintendent Bernadeia Johnson.
In St. Paul, new fifth- and sixth-graders at Highland Park Elementary have to complete four book reports before school starts in the fall.
Sonya Goins, Producer
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