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Launching Summer Reading
By Donalyn Miller, Author and Manager of Independent Reading and Outreach, Scholastic
Book Fairs
®
Reading research indicates that many children’s reading ability declines between the end of one school
year and the beginning of the next because they generally do not read much over the summer. But this
doesn’t have to be the case! By reading just four or five books over the summer break, students can
keep up the good work they’ve strived to achieve all year.
Here are a few more activities you can plan to start the summer off right for your students.
Host a library card signup event.
Encourage families to sign up for a library card and introduce them
to the many resources your local library offers in addition to books, including summer activities, reading
programs, author visits, and more.
Provide lots of opportunities for book recommendations.
Present booktalks daily in class, over the
announcements, or at the Book Fair. Encourage students to share their top picks for summer reads.
Encourage students to make lists of books they would like to read over the break.
Goals help motivate
students, as well as set expectations for their reading plan.
Open the school library for a few days a week.
When school closes for the summer, many students lose
access to reading material. Consider opening your school library for a few hours, two days a week. Invite
parents and staff to volunteer for hour-long shifts.
Advise parents to set the expectations for their child to read every day.
Reading for 20 to 30 minutes a
day keeps students’ vocabulary and reading ability growing during the summer. Encourage parents to keep
books within arm’s reach for their kids—it’s a great activity for rainy days, car rides, and long waits.
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