How to Guarantee 30% Gains in Your Child’s Reading Scores
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Kids who don’t continue summer reading show negative learning levels on standardized tests at the year’s beginning from where they ended the previous spring. This drop in reading scores and other tests is commonly referred to as summer slide. Just open any text books and you will see evidence. It is a common practice for textbook publishers to begin the year with a large chunk of review because of this phenomenon. The good news is that you have the power to destroy Summer Slide!
You are Responsible
We are our Kid’s Literacy Advocate
As parents we can stop this with as little as reading six books to our kids over the summer break. As homeschool families, continuing leaning means we could skip over the first and last chapters of most textbook review pages. Summer break can be a magical place where we change gears and have time to chase inspriations and build new love for subjects we don’t take the time for in the grind of the school year.
What do your kids love? Make time for it this summer. Chase down their interests by being intentional about some of their summer reading book choices.
Summer is Time To improve reading scores
For years we did school year-round. With eight children under nine, free time was our enemy. A few weeks without structure was all we could endure. Now that the kids are far more independent, we are able to enjoy longer breaks over the summer reading season. We might not be doing school, but that does not mean that we aren’t taking time for learning.
Books We Picked for Summer Reading
These will help you get some ideas rolling. A ton of these books or similar titles are available at the local library. If your child loves it and you want to add it to your personal library, you can always add it to your wishlist. I have a whole list on amazon just for when I get a bonus card or a payment for a writing assignment. (Will work for books)
Any title from the Little People, BIG DREAMS Series. They have really done a great job with this series. The length is perfect for little ones, but the stories are very honest. Kahlo had a devistating accident, Curie lost her true love. These are not played down but presented as a part of their life story. My children empathized with each of their hardships and were more endeared to these women because of them.
My nine year old is in love with Amelia Earhart, we bought instead of borrowed this Little People book last year, because it is beautifully illustrated, library bound with heavy pages with text just right for a new reader. It is a “keep” book, the only kind I purchase. The kids watched, “The Who Was Show” on Netflix and learned about Marie Curie, Frida Kahlo and several other historical figures, so we picked up a few more books in the set for their summer reading.
Growing Readers Need More Difficult Books
I mentioned my adventurer, since she wanted to learn more about Amelia the flyer; I thought this DK biography, was just the book for her. Don’t be afraid to level up with high interest books. Since she has grown several reading levels over the school year, this book should be just right. Since she wants to know more, the text won’t stop her and there are plenty of pictures to satisfy her curiosity. DK books are the best for curious readers. They are full of information from edge to edge on every page, this one would be great for a strong 3rd – 5th grade reader.
Biographies Inspire Kids to Dream Bigger
Summer is a great opportiunity for exploration. While you read, you can explore the possibility to travel to locations from your histroical figure’s life or go see examples of their work. For now, shoot me some biography suggestions of your favorites in the comments below. Who inspires you right now as an adult?
Don’t forget to add books that tie into themes from your biographies. This is especially relevant durring passive learning times, like summer. We have the battleworn copies of the DK books, “How Things Work” and “Flying Things” to learn more about air planes. Since I prefer the kids learning to be led by them during break times, I usually just put the books out in our main room at the begining of the week, then encourage the kids to check them out during quiet time. Now, flying week it is.
Next week we are jumping into math for fun!
You can catch a preview of the books we are using over on our instagram. Follow it for a looking glass into our life and say hello for sure I love to follow fellow homeschool teachers, parents and entrepreneurs. If you like the same you will love my friends at insta.
