Summer Reading Lays the Foundation
Encourage your student to read at least a few minutes a day over the summer to lay a foundation for academic success. Depending on interests, your student may choose to read books, online reviews and blogs, texts related to their academic classes, or some combination.
Why It Matters
- Reading over the long break helps retain learning.
Spending the summer curled up with a few good books often leads to gains in reading skills and helps prevent a backward slide academically. - It can expand knowledge.
If your student will be taking literature classes in tenth grade and beyond, including AP classes, reading now will help improve reading speed, comprehension and knowledge of literature. - Your student has the power of choice.
With homework, activities, work and other commitments taking up more of their time during the school year, many students find they only read required materials. Summer often provides some free time for students to choose books, magazines and online content they prefer and can get lost in for hours.
What Your Student Can Do Now
- Set a reading schedule.
Summer reading doesn’t have to have a formal timeline, but a goal, such as reading a book a week or for an hour a day, can help your student get the most benefit from summer reading. - Make a list.
Your student’s future classes may require some summer reading. Otherwise, if your student doesn’t have a favorite genre or author, researching best-seller lists, book award winners and recommended reading articles can help build a list of books. - Get to the library or bookstore.
Many public libraries offer summer programs as well as online borrowing. If finances allow and your student likes to collect or reread books, buying a print or electronic version may be preferred.
What Your Student Can Do Later
- Make connections.
Even light topics or fantasy novels often deal with universal themes such as personal conflict, right and wrong, and coming of age. Your student can relate what they’ve read to real-life experiences now and in the future. - Join a discussion group.
Local public libraries often have book clubs that anyone can join. Classmates and friends may choose to read the same book and have an informal discussion. A quick internet search can also provide some opportunities for online discussion groups. Discussing books with others is a good way to gain different perspectives.
What You Can Do
- Share items of interest.
Encourage critical thinking by sharing news items you find and discussing them with your student. If you’ve read or heard something you think might pique your student’s interest, mention it and where to find it. - Set an example.
Use this opportunity to improve your own reading habits. Invite your student to join you for a few hours reading in the sunshine. Let your family see you reading for relaxation or education in the evenings. - Reinforce reading.
Your student may benefit from watching a movie or series based on a book or listening to an audio version. Or maybe, discovering other authors with a similar style will unlock new discoveries. Seek different ways to reinforce what your student is reading.
Next Steps
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