Summer has finally arrived, and now is the perfect opportunity to recharge after months of hard work and dedication. This well-earned break is all about you! 

Whether that means staying hydrated during outdoor adventures, indulging in a treat, or finding fun ways to unplug and unwind, we’ve handpicked some essential finds to help you make the most of your downtime. From cool beverages to portable must-haves and screen-free entertainment, these practical picks are here to help you relax and return to the classroom feeling refreshed.

This summer, take time for yourself—your way.

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The “summer slide,” or summer learning loss, refers to the setback many students face in skills like reading and math during summer break, with an average loss of up to two months of progress. However, the impact varies; some students maintain their skills, while others experience significant declines across multiple areas.

Since most school curriculums follow a structured 10-month sequence, it’s unsurprising that taking a break from instruction can lead to learning losses equivalent to about two months of teaching. For parents, the challenge is finding meaningful ways to bridge this gap and keep their children engaged during the summer months.

The Best Ways to Prevent the Summer Slide

1. Minimize screen time

It’s strongly encouraged that parents limit screen time for both themselves and their children. This includes phones, tablets, video games, television, and computers. These devices are a big part of our lives, no doubt, but their constant presence can be a bit much. Step back, take a break, and prioritize screen-free moments.

2. Get kids outside

Foster social connections by encouraging children to play outdoor games with family and friends. (Alternatively, many card games, such as Skip-Bo, can easily be taken outside, are great for groups, and promote engagement.) Let kids create their own games and resolve disputes independently. Activities like sports, summer camps, and day camps also keep them active while building teamwork and problem-solving skills.

3. Learn with summer activities

Local events provide plenty of opportunities to prevent the summer slide. Engaging in courses, attending plays, and participating in music festivals and parades keeps minds active, fosters learning, and encourages creativity, ensuring that skills stay sharp over the summer break.

4. Home-based learning

Students who are doing well in their academics will likely respond positively to home-based or web-based skills practice in curriculum areas like reading and math. There are plenty of resources that can be found online.

How to Support Students with Severe Reading Challenges

Delayed readers often need more than weekly tutoring to make progress. Summer is an ideal time for focused, intensive support, like daily one-to-one intervention offered by programs such as those at The Reading Foundation clinics, which help students improve in reading and math year-round.

Parents can prevent the summer slide by encouraging academic progress, creativity, physical activity, and personal growth. With activities like outdoor play, local events, and home learning, summer can be both fun and enriching, helping students succeed in the upcoming school year.

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Research shows that children who spend more time outdoors develop better social and emotional learning skills. A strong connection to nature leads to higher levels of social competence, emotional regulation, and behaviour management among kids. 

Despite that, many North American children do not spend enough time outdoors. The National Wildlife Federation reports that each day, children spend an average of only four to seven minutes in unstructured outdoor play; compared to more than seven hours in front of digital devices. This has implications for children’s physical health, social development, and cognitive abilities. By encouraging outdoor learning experiences, we can help children reclaim some of that time lost to screens. As a result, they will foster a deeper connection to their education and the natural world.

Outdoor Connections

To promote increased connection with the outdoors, the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) Affiliate Network launched the Outside for 5 campaign. The campaign centers around small, manageable steps that everyone can take to increase outdoor time. With just five minutes of daily outdoor activity, educators, parents, and students can gradually build routines that promote longer and more frequent nature experiences. Regular outdoor activities provide a much-needed break from the stresses of the classroom. Hence, it allows children to engage in environmental learning, unstructured play, explore their surroundings, and build resilience. 

As the structure of the school day ends with the summer, the opportunity to facilitate connection to the outdoors looks different. This is why summer is the perfect time for less structured, more open-ended, and imaginative activities. 

What Can You Do?

Here are some strategies to help you and the children in your life incorporate more outdoor time into your daily routines:

1. Establish regular outdoor activities, such as morning walks, after-dinner strolls, or weekend hikes. These rituals can become cherished traditions and provide consistent opportunities for nature exposure.
2. Utilize community resources like parks, nature trails, and playgrounds.
3. Allow children to engage in unstructured play, where they can use their imagination and creativity. This type of play is crucial for developing STEM skills, improving problem-solving abilities and fostering independence.
4. Engage in simple activities like gardening, bird watching, or picnics to seamlessly integrate nature into their everyday life. These activities do not require extensive planning and can be easily adapted to fit various schedules.
5. Set clear limits on screen time. Use screen time as a reward for spending time outside. It reinforces the habit of choosing nature over screens.

Benefits Are Endless

Additionally, we encourage teachers to prioritize spending time outdoors this summer to refresh, recharge, reconnect and restore their attention. These outdoor experiences can inspire new ideas and energy for the upcoming school year.

By encouraging five minutes of outdoor time a day, they can reap the numerous benefits associated with nature exposure, from enhanced social-emotional skills to better mental health. The Outside for 5 campaign is a timely reminder of the importance of reconnecting with nature, even after the final school bell rings. So this summer, let’s embrace the outdoors, reduce screen time, and foster a love for nature that will last a lifetime.

Sources:

1. “Nature is an important part of adolescents’ leisure time experiences and everyday well-being”
2. “Children with a strong connection to nature have higher social-emotional learning skills”
3. “Children need expanded opportunities for independence to support their mental well-being”
4. “Exposure to nature is linked to improved social health”
5. Connecting Kids and Nature

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Independence Day is right around the corner, and to mark the occasion we’ve put together a list of books bursting with facts, figures, food, and more—all to do with the USA! Get ready to dive into stories about America’s history, culture, and geography, along with a wide range of other topics. Whether you’re looking for books to add to your classroom library next year or to share with your own kids this summer, these reads are a great way to celebrate the beauty and diversity of the United States.

The post 10 Books to Read for the Fourth of July appeared first on TEACH Magazine.

As we commemorate Canada Day and the anniversary of Confederation, it’s the perfect time to delve into some outstanding books inspired by the colourful Canadian landscape. To mark the occasion, we’ve curated a collection of new and upcoming books that take place at different locations across the country. Canada Day is also a great opportunity to highlight the wide number of Canadian publishers, so be sure to check out the ones on this list and show your support for the many, many others as well!

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By Rae Sarathy

You can almost hear it. Teachers everywhere are breathing a sigh of relief as they kick up their feet and bask in the freedom of summer break. After an undoubtedly busy year, it’s finally time to focus on yourself. Whether you’re seeking inspiration for activities or looking for interesting new solutions to daily life, we’ve got some ideas for you.

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By Kelsey McCallum

School’s out for the summer and for many of us that means it’s time to start making travel plans. Not sure where to go or what to do? These fun and unique guides can provide you with some inspiration! Each one is jam-packed with plenty of tips, recommendations, and insider advice to help you make the most of your vacation. Whether you’re looking to stay close to home or are planning to head abroad, there are plenty of fascinating destinations to choose from for your next great adventure.

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By Rae Sarathy

Have you ever come across a building you couldn’t help but admire? There is no doubt that architectural gems are quite the sight to behold—especially up close. Be it the preserved structures of a bygone era, or clean-lined modernism, architecture has long been considered the “mother of all arts.” And what better way to experience some of these man-made marvels than through a guided tour!

Whether you consider yourself an architectural aficionado or someone who simply appreciates beautiful design, we’ve rounded up several amazing (and oh-so-Instagram-worthy) places you can explore this summer.

Brussels, Belgium

Mosaics, curved lines, ornate ironwork, stained glass—ah, the beauty of Art Nouveau. Brussels is a paradise for lovers of this unique style that originated there in the late 19th century. Visit Brussels offers an architectural itinerary through bourgeois communes like Forest, Saint-Gilles, and Ixelles where examples of Art Nouveau still exist widely.

The city is also home to several other styles including Baroque, Neoclassical, Art Deco, and Eclecticism. ARAU takes you through them all, with its rich selection of guided tours revealing extraordinary buildings in every district of the city.

Chicago, Illinois

From the city that invented the skyscraper comes a soaring skyline of some of the most iconic buildings in America. The Chicago Architecture Center offers 90 guided tours (90!) by foot, train, boat, or bus. One of the best ways to take in Chicago’s architecture is from the water, so hop aboard one of the city’s abundant boat tours and enjoy breathtaking views of over 40 famed landmarks, including the Wrigley Building, Tribune Tower, Marina City, and many more.

Copenhagen, Denmark

Denmark’s capital city shines in the spotlight more than ever before after being designated the World Capital of Architecture for 2023. Book a tour with the Danish Architecture Center and discover what makes Copenhagen one of the most livable and sustainable cities in the world.

See award-winning housing projects like Krøyers Plads and 8 House, visit cultural institutions such as the Royal Playhouse and the Black Diamond, and behold some of the world’s most extensive circular buildings like the Resource Rows and Upcycle Studios.

Japan

Ancient shrines and temples? Check. Super cities? Check. From enchanting monuments to hypermodern facades, Japan is a true feast for the eyes. Consider Luxury Tours Japan for its variety of tailor-made architecture tours. You’ll have opportunities to visit some of Japan’s oldest buildings and classic oriental dwellings, witness local craftmanship firsthand, and even observe the intriguing fusion of traditional Japanese aesthetics in contemporary modern-day buildings.

Architecture day trips are also offered by artchitectours.

Santa Fe, New Mexico

Nicknamed “The City Different,” Santa Fe is remarkable for its distinctive adobe-inspired buildings. Pueblo-Spanish architecture—rounded edges, flat-roofs, vigas, and earth-toned hues—dominates here, with building codes firmly preserving this “Santa Fe” style even today.

On this personal architecture tour, you’ll take a guided walk through the city’s back roads, residential areas, and art districts, visiting sights such as Santa Fe Plaza, Burro Alley, the John Gaw Meem Historic Building, the La Fonda Hotel, and many more.

Victoria, British Columbia

One of the oldest cities on Canada’s west coast, this picturesque destination is renowned for its colonial English charm, rich with surviving Victorian buildings developed during Queen Victoria’s reign. Look to Come See Victoria for architecture-focused tours, featuring national historic sites like the Romanesque Parliament Buildings, the Chateau Style Empress hotel, and the Edwardian-era Belmont Building, to name a few.

The Victoria Heritage Foundation even offers self-guided tours through Victoria’s eight historic neighbourhoods, covering many buildings not on the Heritage Register.

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By Rae Sarathy

The start of summer break is finally upon us! Now is the perfect time to unwind after an undoubtedly busy school year and indulge in some me-time routines. Here are a few items that can help you relax and recharge as you sit back and enjoy this much-needed time off. Check out these teacher must-haves for the summer of 2022.

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By Rae Sarathy

School’s out for the season, but that doesn’t mean trips have to end as well. In fact, now is the perfect time to go on a field trip or two of your own! Perhaps you can even break out those walking shoes and embark on an adventure on foot. From mountains to coastlines, cities to villages, walking tours can be some of the best ways to explore a new place. They give you the chance to fully immerse yourself in the history and culture of your destination with every step.

There are many types of trips designed to suit walkers of all abilities and interests, whether urban or rural, easy or challenging, guided or independent. So lace up your shoes and check out some of these suggested global walking tours this summer.

Edinburgh, Scotland

All of Edinburgh is a UNESCO World Heritage Site steeped in centuries-old royal legacy. Walk along with an expert guide through Edinburgh’s Old Town and explore medieval landmarks such as Edinburgh Castle, St Giles’ Cathedral and Holyrood Palace—then head off into Edinburgh’s 18th century New Town to admire its elegant gardens and Neoclassical architecture. A little ways out of the city, you can traipse through some of Scotland’s spectacular landscapes, from the rolling countryside of St Abb’s Head Nature Reserve, to the peaceful Hermitage Woodland, and the ruin-strewn Fife Coastal Path—all of which offer a variety of guided tours.

Find information on free walking tours in Edinburgh here. 

Northwest Territories, Canada

Home to an abundance of pristine rivers and lakes, along with sublime mountains and forests, the Northwest Territories is a nature lover’s paradise. In the summer months, the sun never sets in this northern destination, allowing visitors extra time to enjoy leisurely walks around the lakes, day excursions just outside of town, or multi-day treks in the backcountry. Novice amblers and serious walkers alike can find excellent trails in and around Hay River, Inuvik, Fort Simpson, Fort Smith, and Yellowknife.

For more info, visit the Northwest Territories tourism website.

New Orleans, United States

Hit the streets of the French Quarter, famous for its busker brass bands, street performers, and historic architecture. Sites of interest include the 19th century Garden District, as well as world-famous cemeteries where you’ll weave through a maze of ornate and eclectic above-ground tombs. The city also offers walking tours with a focus on the history of slavery, where you’ll visit important sites like plantations and former slave markets. Then after the sun has set, enjoy a night out with a local guide to discover the city’s vibrant jazz scene.

Find more information on the New Orleans website.

Maine, United States

For those seeking a laid-back adventure, you’ll appreciate Maine for its slow pace and quiet beauty. Here, the best coastal towns offer delightful routes that include historic fishing villages and windswept enclaves. Walkers can also venture into Acadia National Park, where carriage trails weave through the majestic wilderness of Mount Desert Island. If you’re a seafood lover, don’t miss Old Port’s scrumptious walking lunch tour.

For more info, check out Maine’s Office of Tourism.

Morocco

Nearly untouched by Western civilization, Morocco is a place for all culture lovers. Venture into the bustling cities of Fez and Marrakech, where you’ll uncover local gems and marvellous architecture such as medinas, souks, historic mosques, and palaces. You can also join an easy grade, multi-day walking trip among the foothills of the Atlas Mountains, leading to the Atlantic coast, and then taking you across beaches, valleys, and rustic Berber villages.

For more info, take a look at the website run by the Moroccan National Tourism Office.

Sicily, Italy

Blessed with protected landscapes and thousands of years of rich heritage, Sicily is an attraction for both nature and history buffs. Much of Sicily is easily accessible on foot, so there are a wide variety of walking tours available. Whether you’re meandering down the cobbled streets of old towns, exploring ancient Greek ruins and temples, getting up close with Byzantine mosaics, or discovering the unspoiled islands of Egadi, you’re sure to have a blast on this beautiful island.

Learn more at Sicily’s Department of Tourism website.

Vienna, Austria to Prague, Czech Republic

Have you ever dreamed of backpacking across Europe? Now perhaps you can try the next best thing by hiking all the way from Vienna to Prague. This guided or self-guided tour takes you along Czech Republic’s “Greenways” of marked trails. You’ll pass through the historic provinces of Moravia and Bohemia, and trek across the Carpathian Mountains amid orchid-filled meadows and picturesque villages. You’ll wonder at magnificent architecture and explore archaeological sites—from Renaissance Telč to fairytale-like Český Krumlov—en route to the soaring spires of Prague. The tour covers 500 km of trails over eight days so it’s best suited for experienced hikers.

More details can be found here.

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