Summer holidays are a cherished time for rest, but for students preparing for the 11+ exams, this extended break can pose a challenge. The phenomenon known as the “summer slide” refers to the learning loss that can occur when students take a long break from academic activities. However, with the right resources and a structured plan, the summer months can be a productive period for reinforcing 11+ skills and staying on track – with this in mind, ‘sliding’ can therefore be an activity restricted to waterparks only!
At Smart 11+, we understand the importance of maintaining academic momentum, even during the holidays. That’s why our memberships include access to BOFA, a comprehensive Vocabulary Booklet, a curated Reading List Booklet, and a bank of over 3,000 resources.
We have created this blog to help your child navigate the best ways to use these tools to prevent the 11+ summer slide and prepare effectively for the 11+ exams.
BOFA: Tailored Practice and Feedback
BOFA is an adaptive learning platform that provides tailored practice questions and detailed feedback. This tool is particularly useful during the summer because it allows students to practice their recall on a variety of topics at a range of ability levels. By regularly engaging with BOFA, students can:
- Identify Knowledge Gaps: BOFA’s intelligent algorithm highlights the areas where students need the most improvement.
- Receive Detailed Explanations: Each question comes with thorough explanations, helping students understand their mistakes and learn from them.
- Track Progress: The platform provides detailed reports, allowing students to monitor their progress over time
Vocabulary Booklet: Daily Practice
Our Vocabulary Booklet is an excellent resource for daily practice. It includes a wide range of words, their meanings, and usage examples. To maximise its benefits:
- Set Daily Goals: Encourage your child to learn a few new words each day. The resources we provide enable up to six words a week. These words will then later appear in a child’s session to help reinforce new learnings.
- Incorporate Words into Conversations: Practice using your child’s new vocabulary in everyday conversations to reinforce learning.
Reading List Booklet: Cultivating a Love for Reading
Reading extensively is one of the best ways to improve language skills and comprehension. Our Reading List Booklet provides a curated list of age-appropriate books that are both enjoyable and educational.
The best thing about our incredible reading list booklet is that it introduces a huge range of blubs to children. Allowing them to read about the book before choosing it based on the cover. We have found that this increases engagement with the text, and most of our pupils become more invested in finishing the book as they have made an educated choice in selecting their specific text.
Resource Bank: Over 3,000 Learning Tools
Our extensive bank of over 3,000 resources includes practice papers, worksheets, and interactive activities. These resources are designed to cover all aspects of the 11+ curriculum. We maintain and organise these resources so that if your child needs any practice materials on any topic, we have them to hand.
The 11+ Summer Slide
The summer holidays are a valuable time to balance relaxation with productive study. By leveraging Smart 11+’s comprehensive resources, students can maintain their academic skills and enter the new school year well-prepared for the 11+ exams. Consistent practice, coupled with engaging and varied learning activities, will ensure that the 11+ summer slide is kept at bay and that progress continues smoothly.
So, let’s embrace the summer with a structured plan that combines learning and leisure, setting the stage for success in the 11+ exams and beyond.
Happy studying and enjoy your summer!
