A Note From the Head of School:
My Summer Reading Soapbox
It is very important to have your child continue to practice reading over the summer. All students experience learning losses when they do not engage in educational activities during the summer. In fact, according to Donna Gordon (2005), the summer loss of three months will accumulate over the elementary grade summers to become a gap of 18 months by the end of the sixth grade. It is even more imperative for early and emerging readers to continue their practice over the summer because their reading skills are not yet solidified.
There is hope! I believe most students will not regress in reading over the summer if you can establish an opportunity for your child to read every day for at least 20-40 minutes. It would be ideal for students to read silently to themselves, read aloud with you, and then for you to read aloud to them so you can discuss the story. Each of these activities encompasses important reading skill practice.
Instead of making summer reading practice an avoided chore, make that time special.
Here are some ideas:
- Schedule a time each day when everyone can stop what they are doing to read. Some families have rules that the television is turned off, telephones are unanswered and everyone relaxes with a book. It resembles the DEAR (Drop Everything and Read) time we have at Radcliffe.
- Allow your child to stay up later than usual…as long as he or she is reading in bed.
- Make a special snack to be munched on only during silent reading time.
- Squeeze in reading fluency practice by always having books with you so you can grab a quick moment whenever possible.
- Have an occasional “Reading Dinner.” Announce to everyone before the meal that this will be a “Reading Dinner” and that everyone should bring something to read. This is the one time that reading at the table is allowed. This type of event allows children to see that reading is an important and cherished skill for the whole family
- Choose stories that you can enjoy reading with your children or listening to stories during long car rides. The purpose of this activity to help your student’s comprehension. Every once in a while stop during the story and have your child predict what he or she thinks may happen next. After you finish the story, ask your child if the story relates to anything that has ever happened to them or a story they might have read before. Another question you could ask is why do they think the author wrote the story? What did they like best or least about the story? Is there a better way for the story to have ended?
The need to read frequently is like exercising. If we put it off, we lose endurance and fluidity. I hope you find these tips helpful.
Wishing you a wonderful Memorial Day Weekend!
Head of School
