Pump Students Up for Summer Reading!
Pump students up for summer reading! As the school year winds down, parents and students often ask for a summer reading list or suggested reading for the next year’s grade level. In addition to recommending good reads, you can also teach students a few habits that help them sustain their school year reading work AND enjoy it!
Make it Social!
- Give them calendars and set weekly or bi-weekly times to get together, have fun, and talk about their books.
- Invite them to think about locations where it would be convenient to meet.
- Encourage them to exchange phone numbers or email addresses.
Go on a Reading Vacation!
- Encourage students to make a few selections in genres they haven’t spent much time reading.
- Encourage them to look for books that have different topics or settings they don’t know much about.
Get a library card! Enjoy all the library has to offer!
Do you remember getting your first library card? Did you have the feeling of pride to have something “official” that was yours? A library card is like currency – it enables you to check out books and take them home!
Talk with students about going to the public library.
- Make sure they know where the closest library is located. Show them on a map. Arrange a class field trip to visit the library. Arrange for a librarian to visit your classroom.
- Explain how to acquire a library card and how to use it.
- Let students know that their library card can also help them access books electronically. Many libraries are connected to apps that allow card holders to check out e-books.
- Provide information about the library’s summer reading program. Often, libraries have fun summer reading programs that encourage kids to read and come to the library regularly.
- Be sure to point out that the library isn’t just for checking out books. It is also a place to stay social around books! Many libraries have story times, craft times, movie times, “meet the author” events, and other special programs for kids.
Regardless of what students choose to read, help them think about some of the ways they can incorporate reading into their summer behaviors and routines. We hope your students have a fun summer full of play, friends, and books!