Summer Reading

Studies show that children who do not read or have access to books during the summer lose up to 2 months of reading performance. Those losses accumulate during the elementary school years, so that by the time a child enters middle school he/she may be two and a half years behind! All children may fall victim to the “summer slide” if not provided with summer reading opportunities.

So how do we prevent the summer slide-or even accelerate reading growth? Here are a few ideas:

1. Visit your local library! Help your child find “right fit” books. Right fit books are books that are of high interest to your child and are not beyond their reading level. You can use the five finger test to determine if the book is too difficult for your child. Open the book to a page with many words. Have your child begin reading the text. Hold up a finger for each word he/she does not know. If you have 4 or 5 fingers up, the text may be too difficult for your child to read independently. Feel free to still check out the book! It just may be a book you want to read with your child.

2. Be sure your child reads at least 20 minutes a day. According to research, a child who reads only 1 minute a day outside of school will learn 8,000 words by the end of sixth grade where a student who reads 20 minutes outside of school will learn 1,800,000 words! That’s huge! If reading isn’t one of your child’s top priorities, you may need to set up an incentive program.

3. Play games with words. Commercial games such as Apples to Apples improve vocabulary.

4. If you have access to an iPad, there are tons of interactive books and apps that offer materials to practice reading skills. There are also many websites that offer free reading related games.


Have a happy and healthy summer! Be sure to read, read and read some more! Not only can we prevent the summer slide, we can accelerate reading growth.

See the additional printable resources and reading lists below for even more ideas!


Reading Lists

Update from ILA: As a result of disruptions to schools and businesses caused by COVID-19, the Choices reading program has been suspended for the upcoming year 2020–2021. The 2020 reading lists are available below.

Summer Pack - Going into 3rd.pdf

Summer Stay On Track Packet

This resource can be printed at home.

It includes reading and math activities.


9781338096811.pdf

Summer Stay On Track Packet

This resource can be printed at home.

It includes reading and math activities.


Khan Academy Keep learning this summer with Camp Khan