Congratulations…you made it to summer! Your student can rest from the vigorous pace of learning and engaging with challenging texts. During the school year, the primary focus in English is building literacy, expanding vocabulary, and reading grade-level literature. Summer allows a break from the work of reading, though students still benefit from keeping their literacy gears oiled during the vacation months. Yet, who says reading can’t be fun?
To encourage your child to keep poking their noses into pages, think outside the box! Here are some ideas to get you started:
Embrace lower grade-level books
Explore different types of texts, like age-appropriate magazines or how-to guides
Jump into comic books or graphic novels
Experiment with different environments - books in hammocks, anyone?
Read a book together (I still remember book club picnics with my mom and brother)
Accompany an audiobook adventure
Discover digital books - often available for rent through public libraries
Participate in your library’s summer reading program or create your own
Go back to the movies - read a book, then watch the film adaptation
If you want strategies to guide your student’s thinking deeper about their summer read or to prepare for next school year, check out our Blending Literature with Writing Guide. This outlines our effective approach and experience-based insights on how to discuss a text. Combine this with a no-pressure reading choice, and your child has a fun summer adventure ahead of them!