Does June mean summer break or continued learning for your student? At Ignite Christian Academy, it can be both. A wonderful benefit of learning online is that parents can create their student's learning schedule. Unlike traditional school, where your student's class periods and months of study are decided for you, ICA gives you convenient options of doing school anytime that's convenient for you. You could do math at 8 p.m., history on Tuesdays only, or extend lessons over the summer.
At ICA, teachers and support staff are available all 12 months so you can choose to keep learning going all year. Year-long learning is perfect if a student wants to catch up on classes or get ahead for next year. Although not appropriate for every distance learning student's lifestyle, year-long learning offers academic benefits such as
• Faster completion of course credits or accelerated learning
• Ease in recovering course credits or remediation courses
• Easier transition to the next grade level
• Prevention of summer brain drain
• Additional enrichment with elective courses
• Ability to participate in extracurricular activities
Of course, not all students are thrilled at the idea of skipping a summer break. Often, students don't see the benefits of learning through the summer months, especially when their friends are enjoying the hot summer months away from the books and computer. If you've chosen to school January through December, your student is likely facing a lack of motivation right about now that summer is beginning, but as the Bible tells us in Colossians 3:23a, "And whatsoever ye do, do it heartily, as to the Lord, and not unto men."
Here are some helpful tips to encourage your student:
- Remind your student that by working during the summer, he'll get ahead for next fall or perhaps even graduate early.
- Reward your student by letting him have holidays off just like every other student has.
- Participate in summertime activities that fit your learning schedule so your student doesn't feel like he's missing out.
- Offer your student daily encouragement with words, hugs, and by helping out with homework. If your student is busy, cut down on chores or babysitting so he can concentrate on lessons.
- Make a schedule and checklist for daily lessons so your student can mark off items as he finishes them. Be a homework accountability partner.
- Set monthly goals for your student and reward him when they're met with a fun prize like a trip, free time, dinner out, etc.
- Make sure your student has everything he needs to learn: a quiet place, all the materials required, and a set daily routine. Encourage him to talk to other ICA students for advice.
- If your student is feeling burned-out, take a break of a few days or a week when it works with your student's schedule and after discussing options with ICA teachers.
- Review school work together and set specific times for him to ask you or teacher's questions so he doesn't have to wait to proceed.
- Praise effort, not just correctness. Give your student boosts of encouragement when he shows real desire to learn and not just get it done.
If you've decided to do school year-round at ICA, try some of these above motivation techniques if your student starts feeling down. Each student is different and will be motivated differently to learn. Find out what encourages your learner and apply it not just with your parenting and discipline measures, but also with his homework and lessons at ICA.
Have you done school over the summer? What motivation techniques did you use with your student? Share with other parents!