Once again this year I have signed my son up for several reading programs, though he doesn’t need much motivation to read. It is an extra benefit that he gets a free book or another reward for reading.
However, math continues to be challenging for him. While I want him to relax and have fun this summer, I don’t want him to start 3rd grade with a math deficit. So, I have been researching some online summer enrichment programs for him.
If your kids are off school and you are looking to prevent the infamous summer backslide, here are a few programs we have discovered. Your child will not be working all day, but rather spending 20 to 40 minutes a day on the computer working to improve their skills.
Beestar
Beestar originates in Texas and is for children in 1st through 8th grade. The summer session begins June 3rd and runs for 9 weeks. Children are given assignments on Sunday night and are expected to complete two worksheets (usually multiple choice) per week. Each is expected to take 10 minutes. This program is free.
If you would like to enroll in other subjects for summer enrichment, there is a $20 to $30 monthly fee.
Time4Learning
This program, which was named a top three selection of Homeschool.com’s “Top 100 Educational Websites of 2009”, costs $19.95 a month and is for children in preschool through 8th grade. They offer a two week 100% satisfied money back guarantee. If you are not satisfied, ask for your money back within two weeks and you will get a full refund. Time4Learning’s main focus is language arts and math, but you can also sign up for science and social studies as a bonus. You can alternatively choose to sign up for only one subject, though you will still have to pay the full monthly amount.
Ten Marks Math Tutoring
My son and I had the opportunity to review this program back in November, 2010, and we loved it. This program is for kids in 2nd to 10th grade. (You can read my full review of Ten Marks here.) TenMarks’ summer program is $39 for 3 months for one child.
My son doesn’t complete school until the end of this week, but I plan to begin him in Ten Marks next week. He enjoyed the program when we tried it out, so I hope he will enjoy it again this year.
Ten Marks has agreed to give all Mom’s Plans readers a 20% discount from their summer program. Simply use the code lutheran20 through June 15th.
I have struggled with math my entire life, and being weak in math did limit me. I don’t want to see my son struggle as I have.
Do you enroll your children in any summer enrichment programs? If so, which ones?
My children are adults, but they were in a reading program from the public library during the summer. I wish we had these math programs when they were young. As a computer teacher, I like http://www.coolmath.com for a fun approach to math, logic and strategy.
Thanks. I’ll check out that site too! We love the library summer reading program.
I have signed my children up for ixl.com. It is a math support website. I believe it was $80 for the year if you pay up front and $20 per additional child. I receive a daily report on how each child is doing that includes how many problems they attempted, how many were correct and how long they spent online. It covers PreK thru some High School.
Thank you for including a site that works with preschoolers, too. My daughter has some pretty mad math skills – thanks to a great preschool teacher last year – and I don’t want her to lose them over the summer!
That’s great! You don’t want to lose those skills!
Totally agree! Though my kids are still young, I don’t want them to struggle math later. I want them to have a good foundation at this age.
I have been using LeapAhead! offered by Noetic Learning for my two children. It is an abosolutely wonderful program. One of the teachers in the school recommend it. It is easy, convenient and very affordable. Would like to check out the programs you mentioned here as well.
As an active tutor for over 12 years, I think one of the best things a parent can do is to keep their child in a summer enrichment program..these prices seem very affordable.
Darryl from affordable-tutor.com