Summer break is a much-needed time for relaxation and fun, but for young learners, it can also lead to “summer slide” – a temporary decline in academic skills.
To combat this, incorporating engaging review activities into your child's summer routine is crucial.
First grade is a pivotal year for foundational learning, and consistent practice over the summer can help solidify reading, writing, and math skills.
This blog post will explore fun and effective ways to keep your first grader learning while enjoying the summer months. including:
- Phonics Review
- Math Review
- Writing Review
- Reading Activities
End of Year Phonics Review for First Grade
Here are some DIY ideas for End of the Year Phonics Review:
- Phonics Bingo: Create bingo cards with words or pictures representing different phonics skills (e.g., blends, digraphs, vowels).
- I Spy: Play “I Spy” with a focus on phonics. For example, “I spy something that starts with the /b/ sound.”
- Word Sorts: Provide students with a set of words and have them sort them based on different phonics patterns (e.g., short vowels, long vowels, consonant blends).
- Matching Games: Create matching cards with words and their corresponding pictures or sounds.
- Board Games: Adapt simple board games to incorporate phonics. For example, players can only move forward if they can correctly identify the beginning sound of a word on the space they land on.
If you prefer a “done for you option”, my First Grade Summer Review packet includes:
-CVC Write it out – tap out each picture and fill in the word (short a, short e, short i, short o, short u)
-Cut and Paste Short and Long Vowel Sort – cut and paste 6 words into short and long vowel (short a/long a, short e/long e, short i/long i, short o/long o, short u/long u)
-CVCe Write it out – tap out each picture and fill in the word (long a, long e, long i, long o, long u)
-Long or Short Vowel?, Which Blend?, Which Digraph?, Rhyme Time, Compound Words, Sight Write (3 versions of sight word practice)
End of Year Math Review for First Grade
Here are some fun, DIY ways to review first grade math skills at the end of the year:
- Board Games:
- Adapted Classics: Use games like Chutes and Ladders or Candy Land, but instead of just moving spaces, have children solve simple addition or subtraction problems to move.
- Math-Specific Games: Many board games are specifically designed to practice math skills, such as those involving counting, number recognition, and basic operations.
- Card Games:
- War: Play a variation of War where players compare numbers instead of suits.
- Go Fish: Play Go Fish with number cards to practice matching pairs.
- Memory: Create a memory game with matching number cards or number/picture pairs.
- Dice Games:
- Roll and Add/Subtract: Roll two dice and add or subtract the numbers.
- Race to 10: Roll a die and accumulate points until reaching 10.
- Manipulative Activities:
- Counting with Objects: Use objects like blocks, counters, or toys to practice counting, sorting, and grouping.
- Pattern Blocks: Create and identify patterns using different shapes and colors.
- Playdough Math: Use playdough to create numbers, shapes, and simple equations.
If you prefer easy, no prep resources, my Summer Review Packet includes printables for:
-Write to 100 (1 blank version, 1 trace version), Comparing Numbers, Place Value, Tally Marks, Addition to 20, Subtraction from 20, Double Trouble (doubles addition), Word Problems, Summer Time (time), How Much? (coins), 10 More, 10 Less, Summer Shapes
End of Year Writing Review for First Grade
Do your first grade students lose interest in writing towards the end of the year? Here are a few ideas to spice up your writing time:
- Use colorful pens and markers to make writing more appealing.
- Incorporate art: Encourage students to illustrate their writing.
- Create a writing center in the classroom with a variety of writing materials.
- Celebrate their writing by displaying their work in the classroom or publishing a class book.
It's also a good idea to review different genres of writing with fun writing prompts, such as:
- Creative Writing:
- “If I Could Fly…” Encourage imaginative storytelling.
- “My Amazing Adventure” Let them write about a fantastical journey.
- “The Day the Animals Talked” Spark imaginative scenarios.
- Informative Writing:
- “How to Make My Favorite Snack”
- “All About My Pet”
- “My Favorite Place”
- Opinion Writing:
- “My Favorite Toy” (and why)
- “Should We Have More Recess?”
- “My Favorite Book” (and why)
Summer Reading Activities for First Grade
It can be really hard to keep students motivated to read during the Summer months. Here are a few ideas to keep it exciting:
- Summer Reading Programs:
- Library Programs: Most libraries have fantastic summer reading programs with incentives like prizes, raffles, and special events.
- School Programs: Many schools also have their own summer reading programs with rewards.
- Reading Challenges:
- Set Goals: Help students set realistic reading goals (e.g., “Read 20 minutes a day,” “Read 5 books”).
- Reading Logs: Provide them with reading logs to track their progress and celebrate their achievements.
- Reward Charts: Create a simple reward chart with small rewards for reaching reading milestones.
- Family Reading Time:
- Read Aloud: Dedicate a specific time each day for family reading.
- Bedtime Stories: Continue the tradition of bedtime stories even during the summer.
Tips for Teachers - How to Prepare for Summer Review Activities
1. Plan Ahead & Gather Resources
- Identify Key Concepts: Review curriculum standards and identify the most important concepts and skills covered throughout the year.
- Create a Review Schedule: Develop a flexible schedule for review activities, ensuring adequate time for each subject area.
- Gather Materials: Collect necessary materials like worksheets, games, manipulatives, and technology resources in advance.
2. Differentiate Instruction
- Assess Student Needs: Use formative assessments to identify students' strengths and weaknesses.
- Create Flexible Groups: Group students based on their needs for differentiated instruction.
- Offer Varied Activities: Provide a range of activities to cater to different learning styles (visual, auditory, kinesthetic).
3. Make it Engaging & Fun
- Game-Based Learning: Incorporate games and interactive activities to make review more enjoyable.
- Real-World Connections: Connect review activities to real-world situations to make learning more meaningful.
- Use Technology: Utilize educational websites, apps, and interactive tools to enhance the review process.
4. Encourage Student Participation
- Active Learning Strategies: Use strategies like think-pair-share, small group discussions, and presentations to encourage student involvement.
- Student Choice: Allow students some choice in review activities to increase motivation.
- Positive Reinforcement: Provide positive feedback and encouragement to motivate students.
5. Create a Positive Learning Environment
- Minimize Stress: Create a relaxed and supportive classroom environment to reduce student anxiety.
- Celebrate Learning: Acknowledge and celebrate student progress throughout the review period.
Summer Review Activities for First Grade
Summer slide is a scary thought, but it doesn’t have to be! This end of year/summer review packet is the perfect way to review essential first grade skills before your kiddos leave for the summer!
This packet includes:
●Reading review (short and long vowels, blends, digraphs, rhyming, compound words, and sight words)
●Math review (numbers to 100, comparing numbers, place value, tally marks, addition and subtraction to 20, doubles addition facts, word problems, time, coins, and shapes)
●Writing review
●Fun activities
●Summer reading logs
More End of Year Favorites
