Summer Reading

Summer reading loss refers to the decline in children's reading development that can occur during summer vacation times when students are away from the classroom and not participating in formal literacy programs (Allington & McGill-Franzen, 2003).  Researchers have uncovered evidence that summer reading loss is significant, particularly among at-risk students.

Before your students leave for the summer, talk up the importance of reading, especially while they are on summer break.  Possibly hold a book swap the last day of school.  Ask your neighbors, family, and friends for old books that you can give to your students for the summer.  Send students, especially the ones you know have economic hardships, with at least one book for the summer.  Remind students to visit the public library.  Here is a list of the 2013 Top Ten Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers from the Young Adult Library Services Association (YALSA) to get them started:  http://www.ala.org/yalsa/booklists/quickpicks/2013/topten.

I hope teachers take time to read, too!  Here is a list of books suggested for educator summer reading that I compiled from Tweets and blogs:

• Losing Our Minds by Deborah L. Ruf
• Readicide by Kelly Gallagher
• What Great Teachers Do Differently by Todd Whitaker
• Brain Rules:  12 Principles for Surviving and Thriving at Work, Home, and School by John Medina
• You Haven't Taught Until They Have Learned by Swen Nater and Ronald Gallimore
• Outliers:  The Story of Success by Malcolm Gladwell
• Teach Like Your Hair's on Fire by Rafe Esquith

Do you have a book suggestion for us teachers to check out?  Leave your name, title & author, and comments.

~Chandra