Every September, I have the same conversation with classroom teachers. They come to me questioning students’ reading assessments from the previous year. They insist a student is not reading at the level listed on the assessment. Does this mean the previous teacher did not administer a valid reading assessment? Of course not! This difference in reading ability is typically just a result of summer slide. Let’s focus on simple ways for preventing summer slide in reading!
What is Summer Slide in Reading?
Summer slide is the potential loss of academic skills and knowledge that can occur when students take a break from regular learning over the summer break. Another potential impact of summer slide is an increase in the academic gap between reluctant readers and their on-grade level peers. Struggling readers who do not continue reading over the summer months can fall even further behind.
Preventing Summer Slide in Reading
Research and logic tell us that the more students read the more proficient readers they become. Reluctant readers are often the ones most impacted by summer slide. The biggest way to avoid summer slide for these students is by finding ways to encourage them to keep reading. So how can we prevent summer slide in reading? Here are a few ideas I’ve found to be successful that are easy to implement:
Establish a Reading Routine
Establish a consistent reading routine in your daily schedule. Designate a quiet and comfortable reading space where your child can immerse themselves in a book. Be a reading role model by letting your kids see you enjoying books during this time. Share your favorite childhood stories or suggest books that you think they might enjoy. Whether it’s in the morning, afternoon, or before bedtime, make time for reading each day.
Family Book Clubs
Organize a family book club where everyone reads the same book. Set aside time for discussions, sharing favorite parts, or creating artwork related to the story. For even more fun, read a book that has been made into a movie for a fun family movie night!
Authentic Reading Activities
Authentic reading activities are the perfect way to keep kids reading this summer. Kids can read road signs, recipes, travel brochures, or cards. Many times kids don’t even realize they’re reading. Check out the post to find out about additional authentic reading activities.
Online Access to Books
Some students do not read over the summer due to the simple fact that they do not have access to many books. These websites can provide students with access to more books!
- Unite for Literacy – This website has emergent books meant for early readers. I love that it offers a vast selection of nonfiction books. It also allows you to change the language and provides an audio option, both of which are great features for our English Language Learners.
- EPIC! Books – Teachers have access to free books for students. But parents have to pay for home access ($4.99 a month). Luckily there is a 30 day free trial which is a great option to get students started with summer reading!
- Storyline Online – Students can listen to stories being read aloud by famous actors.
Visit this more comprehensive list of Free Online Books for Kids for additional resources!
Check with Your Local Library
Visit your local library to see what fun events they have planned throughout the summer. Many offer storytime, songs & crafts, or special presentations. Our local library offers a program where students can earn prizes each time they come to the library. Find out what programs your local library offers and make sure to share with families. You may also want to find ways to make sure all students have a library card before leaving for summer break.
Reading Challenges
There are so many reading challenges available to students over the summer. Here are a few reading challenges you may want to consider using:
- Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge – Kids can log their reading minutes online and earn virtual prizes.
- Reading Scavenger Hunt – Modern Parents Messy Kids offers a free reading scavenger hunt.
- Challenges to Expand Preferences – Challenge kids to read a variety of genres, try a new author, or read about a distant location.
- Picture Challenges – Students can look through books to find specific words, phonics features, or thematic pictures.
Monthly Reading Challenges
These monthly reading challenges are already done for you! You can get different reading challenges students can complete each month this summer. The challenges include:
- Reading Goals – Students select their reading goals for the month.
- Challenge Bookmarks – Students color each challenge they complete.
- Challenge Cut & Paste – Students cut out the individual challenges they complete and glue them into a picture.
- Daily Book Challenges – Students track each day that they read.
- Daily Minute Challenge – Students set a goal for how many minutes they read a day and track each day they meet that goal.
- 10 or 20 Book Challenge – Students track the number of books they read.
Where Are You Reading Challenge
If your school is active on social media, you can try a “Show Us Where You’re Reading Challenge”. Encourage families to share pictures showing where they are reading over the summer. When you return to school, you can print the photos to make a bulletin board celebrating those readers.
Incentives for Summer Reading
However you decide to encourage summer reading, you’ll want to make sure you spend time promoting it to the students before the end of the year. Build up the excitement for reading with a fun assembly, reading tools, social media posts, or other creative ideas.
Think of incentives students can receive when they return to school with a completed reading challenge. This can be something as simple as a popsicle party!
What other ways do you encourage students to read during the summer? Any successful tips for preventing summer slide in reading? Comment below with the strategies that have worked for you!
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