Waging War Against The Student Summer Reading Slump
Summer break is quickly approaching and as we anticipate a much needed break we are reminded of the annual war waged against our students: the Summer Reading Slump. How can we help students fight the battle and come out on top next fall? Below are some ideas, articles, and resources that any school leader or teacher can use to help arm parents and students with a plan of attack to keep their fluency and comprehension active.
- Use research to show parents the importance of engaging students in active reading this summer. I really like this short two page research brief on the benefits of engaged summer reading: summer reading brief
- Check out your local library’s summer reading incentive programs. My local library offers some great programs for children, teens, and adults: Carmel Clay Public Library and Zionsville Public Library; and check out a few others that have an even wider impact: NYC Summer Reading, Chicago Public Library Summer Reading Program, Los Angeles Public Library Summer Reading
- Check out some universal summer reading incentive programs that some big name publishers and major bookstores offer:
- Start your own online book clubs! Our students live online, why not engage them in community there? Take some time to set up a book club online using an online learning platform, here are a few I would suggest:
- Check out these additional great ideas and resources from Reading Rockets:
- Show your students ways to connect and read online or on their iPad:
- Listen to books for free!
There are so many opportunities and resources available to our students to help them claim victory over the Summer Reading Slump! Do you have some of your own to share… Fight on!
Photo Credit: 
Some rights reserved by CarbonNYC — remixed by Chris Atkinson
*adapted from a 2011 post_______________________________________________________________________________
Chris Atkinson is the host of EdReach’s EdAdmin Show, a show for the school leader looking to take educational leadership forward. The EdAdmin Show highlights the ideas and insights from the innovative administrator’s point of view. Hosted by Chris Atkinson and featuring a roundtable of education’s brightest admins. You can follow Chris on Twitter @ChrisLAtkinson
