Learning isn't just for the classroom.
For many kids, after the summer bell rings, learning doesn’t happen at all.
Summer reading loss is steep -- especially for marginalized children and adolescents. Studies show that children lose significant knowledge in reading and math during summer break — approximately two months of reading skills and 2.6 months of math computational skills — which tends to have a snowball effect as they experience subsequent skill loss each year, leading to decreased reading and math proficiency.
Teachers also lose precious instruction time reteaching information students have already learned. Research shows that teachers may take an average of six weeks each year in the fall to reteach material that was forgotten over the summer.
Turn summer skills slide into summer reading pride
As a member of Learning Ally, students can participate in our Summer Reading Together program. We are in alignment with the Collaborative Summer Library Program and libraries across the country. We’ve pulled together some of our favorite stories to align with the 2022 Oceans of Possibilities summer reading theme. Check out these titles for Elementary School, Middle School, and High School.
It's easy to participate!
Teachers can assign audiobooks for students and students can select their own. There are downloadables and printables to make participation easy and to motivate students to read. You can use a template letter to describe the program to parents. There are certificates for reading, sample lesson plans, progress tracking calendars, and prizes!
This year, participants have fun art projects and you-tube videos inspired by the books and Ocean of Possibilities.
Recognition and Prizes
Each month, four winners are selected to win prizes. At the end of the summer, four overall winners will win big ($100 gift cards) for reading the most audiobooks across all three summer months, and for the most days they spent reading.
We get so excited to learn about the clever ways teachers and parents are motivating children to read, while building skills, and having fun!
Want to learn what other schools and districts are doing? Check out this awesome summer reading program of the East Orange School District in New Jersey.
Learn more about Learning Ally’s Summer Reading Together program!