There is something about teaching summer school that I just love. You get a new mix of students, a smaller class size, and a more focused curriculum from which to teach. After a long year of teaching, you feel lighter, more energized and the students do, too! The unique setting of summer school allows for deeper connections with students and a more targeted approach to addressing learning gaps.
One major challenge, though, is the “summer slide,” a phenomenon where students lose academic skills as they disengage from learning over the summer. Research by Atteberry and McEachin(Open Link in new tab) (2021) highlights the extent of this issue: the average student loses 17-28% of their school year ELA gains, while math losses range from 25-34%. These statistics highlight the importance of effective summer instruction.
To help students regain lost ground and make meaningful progress, summer school teachers can implement a few key strategies:
1. Focus on High-Leverage Instructional Strategies
High-Leverage strategies, rooted in research, help students make meaningful academic gains by focusing on core strategies that support understanding and retention.
Strategies to try are:
- Engage students in facilitated discussion. Be sure to prep by identifying common misconceptions to address, questions to elicit deeper thinking, and ways to ensure participation from all students.
- Explain and model content using appropriate vocabulary and representations.
- Prioritize practices like frequent formative assessments.
- Use targeted small-group instruction, and scaffolding to meet students where they are and accelerate growth.
2. Build Community Quickly
Summer school moves fast, so establishing a positive classroom culture early is essential. Icebreakers, team-building activities, and opportunities for student choice can build connection and engagement. Here is a collection of some of our favorite community building activities from the Teaching Channel archives:
- 5 Community Building Activities that Foster Communication
- 5 Get-To-Know-You Activities For Building Community and Connection This Fall
- 6 “Grab-and-Go” Community Building Templates for Back-to-School
3. Incorporate Fun and Motivation
Learning in the summer doesn’t have to feel like extra work. Use gamification, theme-based learning, and hands-on activities to keep students excited and invested in their progress. For example, an “Adventure Around the World” theme can inspire students to explore different cultures through reading, math, and social studies, turning each lesson into a new destination.
Themes like “Space Exploration” or “Mystery & Detective Academy” can turn ordinary lessons into immersive experiences that entice students to show up each day of the term. Download 5 Fun Themes for Summer School(Open Link in new tab) for ideas, activities and inspiration!
4. Maximize Instructional Time
Every minute counts in a short summer term. Think about how you can streamline transitions with verbal cues, establish clear routines from day 1, like a Do Now activity, and use time-saving strategies to ensure students spend as much time as possible actively learning.
5. Use High-Impact Curricular Materials
Implementing a structured and research-based curriculum can significantly enhance student outcomes during the summer term. For instance, the RISE Summer Learning Program(Open Link in new tab) from Lavinia Group offers a dynamic five-week curriculum that engages students with immersive literacy and math lessons.
Schools participating in RISE have experienced remarkable gains; in 2023, student proficiency rates improved by 120% in math and 189% in literacy.
Adopting high-quality instructional materials ensures that teaching is both effective and aligned with educational standards, leading to substantial student growth.
By blending effective teaching strategies with elements of fun and connection, educators can turn summer school into a powerful tool for closing learning gaps and reigniting students’ enthusiasm for learning. Whether you’re a seasoned summer teacher or stepping into this role for the first time, thoughtful preparation can make a lasting impact on your students’ success.
About the Author
Marcee Harris is the Director of Curriculum and Instruction at Teaching Channel. She holds a B.A. in Elementary Education and Sociology, as well as an M.A. Ed. in Education. Marcee specializes in curriculum development, maintaining and updating our course catalog, and partners with her Teaching Channel teammates to ensure customer success. Marcee is our resident expert for everything related to EdTech and the Science of Reading.
Fun Fact: Marcee used to be a professional cheerleader!
