Do you have a summer learning plan for your students? Many schools, districts, and organizations offer summer programming for students. If you’re looking for an engaging, easy-to-implement curriculum for the summer months, you’ll certainly want to check out MathCamp from Dewey.
Dewey is led and created by the nation’s leading educators in literacy, math, and academic and social well-being and growth. Pam Allyn and Dr. Ernest Morrell founded Dewey and co-authored the bestselling book Every Child a Super Reader. Their work is featured in both research journals and at national conferences. I’ve known the team behind Dewey for almost a decade. Pam Allyn and I co-wrote the quick reference guide Engaging Students in Reading All Types of Texts. Over the past few years, I’ve had a behind-the-scenes look at Dewey, including their MathCamp resources.
Dewey MathCamp invites students to tackle problems while supporting teachers along the way. Let’s dive into everything MathCamp has to offer you, your students, and your school community this summer!
Summer Learning with MathCamp
What is MathCamp? MathCamp is a math program for PreK-8 students that can help your district accelerate math learning and improve student confidence during the summer. It’s super adaptable, so you can use it for summer programs that are 2, 4, 5, or 8 weeks long. In addition, teachers get access to slide decks, activity guides, and implementation support.
It is authored by Mike Flynn and Pam Allyn. Mike Flynn is a math educator and author of Beyond Answers: Exploring Mathematical Practices with Young Children. MathCamp helps students practice mathematical thinking and problem-solving while exploring connections to different content areas. They have a particular emphasis on Math Heroes to help students see the impact of mathematics in history and their everyday lives.
In MathCamp, students have access to standards-rich math instruction in a camp-themed format. It promotes engagement and excitement in learning for all students and builds on the mission of LitCamp. By combining a joyful approach with a rigorous, achievement-driven curriculum, MathCamp sets up student learners for success as they revisit math concepts and explore problem-solving skills throughout the summer.
Supporting Summer Learning Goals
If you have hosted a summer program in the past, you know that student engagement is key. You want students to attend a summer camp experience to learn, grow, and have fun at the same time. Dewey’s MathCamp gives students opportunities to interact with math content as they build confidence, resilience, and perseverance. They’ll tackle problems that connect back to their everyday lives and build skills to bring into the new school year.
Regular readers of the blog know that I’m always looking for resources that make teachers’ lives easier. MathCamp gives teachers resources that make implementation simple. At the same time as they lead students through the program, they’ll explore best practices in mathematics education they can take back to their classrooms in the fall.
5 Reasons to Try MathCamp this Summer
Enhance math skills
MathCamp provides students with an opportunity to enhance their math skills during the summertime, which can help set them up for success in the upcoming school year.
Boost confidence
Participating in MathCamp can help boost students’ confidence in their math abilities, making them more willing to take on math challenges in the future.
Make math instruction joyful
Just like the popular LitCamp from Dewey, MathCamp brings engaging experiences to summer learning that help students have fun and joyful interactions with math instruction.
Access to adaptable resources
MathCamp gives districts the flexibility to implement 2, 4, 6, or 8-week programming that fits their summer learning schedule and the needs of their students.
Standards-aligned
The resources from MathCamp are aligned to state standards so teachers, schools, and districts can be sure that summer learning connects to their goals throughout the academic year.
MathCamp in Action for Summer Learning
With MathCamp, all campers are empowered to think and reason mathematically. The lessons are crafted to allow various ways to tackle problem-solving, so students have different pathways to connect with the content. One of the aspects of MathCamp that I love is the Math Heroes highlighted throughout the curriculum. These include 18 extraordinary people who used math to change the world, from Mae Jemison to Albert Einstein.
Ready to get started with Dewey’s MathCamp? Visit this landing page for more information about MathCamp or contact Dewey’s Chief of Staff, Paige Heimark [at paige.heimark@deweycommunity.com], to bring MathCamp to your district. I can’t wait to hear what you think about this engaging summer math program!
