Summer marks the perfect time for students to fine tune their learning abilities.

Thanks to a three-week program sponsored by the Palmerton Area School District, pupils who will enter grades 2-6 in the 2012-13 school year were able to polish up their math and reading abilities.The annual Summer Skills Sharpener Program was conducted from June 11-29 at the Parkside Education Center. The Summer Camp focused on having "Fun with Numbers" and "Exploring Reading".Bobbi Yeager, event co-coordinator, said students of all abilities were involved in the program, as teachers involved the students in lessons that focused on differentiated instruction. The students enjoyed hands on activities, using manipulatives, and reading a variety of fiction and nonfiction stories with activities that went along with each story, Yeager said.Pupil Reshan Selvavelautham, who will enter sixth grade at S.S. Palmer Elementary, explained how he and his fellow students were able to create the "exploding volcano"."We used baking soda, food color, and vinegar," said Reshan, 10. "The explosion was really amazing."Overall, Reshan described the program as a "fun time.""We played a lot of games, learned about fractions, did the Reader's Theater," he said. "I have wonderful teachers that always help me and support me all the time."Pupil Owen Kleckner, who will attend the fourth grade at S.S. Palmer, shared much the same sentiment."I liked the volcano explosion; it erupted really nice," said Owen, 8. "I had really fun this year, and we did a lot of fun stuff."Yeager said parents received a survey toward the end of camp. Some of their comments were that: "Learning was made fun"; "I think Summer Camp is excellent. Every time when my son comes home, his face lights up and he talks about all the great things he did that day"; "my son loved the program, and I liked the fact that he is learning from experience and that he has additional socialization"; "my daughter is very excited about the program and looks forward to going everyday. Thank you so much for all you do. When I asked my daughter if she would go all summer, she said yes. That says a lot!Students also filled out surveys, said Yeager, who added they said they liked learning about: frogs; water cycle; sea otters; giants; doing time and money activities; being with friends and making new friends; and games and learning activities.