I just wanted to share an idea I used with my students that I thought was really fun. I wrote a previous post about the Summer Slide, and I know it is something a lot of teachers worry about. You work hard with your students all year, and then to have them fall backwards over the summer is so disappointing!

One idea I used was to encourage them to write letters. I sent home 3 pieces of stationery and an addressed, stamped envelope to me. I told them to write letters to relatives or friends, and to send me a letter too.

This was fun for the kids, but it was so fun for me too! I loved going to the mailbox every day to see if I had gotten a letter. I got a bunch of letters right at the beginning of the summer, and by the end of the summer they had tapered off, but I still really enjoyed it. Here are a few examples of letters I received:

She got the "Sweetest Smile" award. That's why she refers to her sweet smile. Also, just FYI... I didn't end up going to Bear Lake with her. : )

I received this letter 2 days after school got out. : )

I got this letter about halfway into the next school year. His mom said he still always talked about how I was his favorite teacher. So sweet!