Parents, students, and teachers alike love the summer. It is a time to relax, recharge, and spend extra time with friends and family. However, it is not a time to forget about learning, especially through reading. I express during my spr...
Parents, students, and teachers alike love the summer. It is a time to relax, recharge, and spend extra time with friends and family. However, it is not a time to forget about learning, especially through reading. I express during my spring conferences how important it is for students to read daily over the summer. As a teacher I know that reading every single day, is one of the most important parts of a child’s education. I also know as a parent that it is sometimes difficult to fit it in on some days.
Whether your child’s school calls it “summer slide” or “summer slump,” it’s well known that children can lose some of their reading abilities and comprehension skills over the summer. Some students, and even parents, still don’t believe me when I tell them that not reading for two months can affect their overall reading ability come September.
Here are some simple suggestions to keep reading a priority every day this summer no matter where you may travel.
1. Always have your child pack a book, or several books, when you prepare for a trip. Even if it is just a weekend trip, add books to your packing list. Chapter book readers may only need 1 or 2 books for short trips, but younger children may need more. My daughter always picks 5–6 books to pack even if we just visit family for a weekend. Now that we have Storia, we just pack the iPad and she has tons of books at her fingertips.
2. Make books a special souvenir! Whether you are visiting the zoo, an aquarium, or even Disney World, every gift shop I have been to sells books. Your child will be so excited from their exhilarating adventure, I am certain they would love to choose a book about it, and want to begin reading it that very day. If you find the gift shop to be too pricey, search Storia for books related to your adventure.
3. Grab brochures, fliers, magazines, and pamphlets in your hotel. Reading doesn’t always have to be just books. Many times these items are free in hotels, and can give your child information about all the exciting sights and events in the area. Your child can even help plan your vacation itinerary with you!
4. To make a reading and writing connection, have your child keep an adventure journal. They can use it to take notes or draw pictures about what they are learning when they visit different places. When they get home, they can use their notes and drawings to make their own nonfiction picture book to share with friends and family and talk about their trip.
No matter what you have planned this summer, I highly encourage you make reading and a part of your everyday adventures. This will help your child maintain their reading ability, and they will be ready to share their amazing books and adventures with their new class in September. Happy eReading!
Author Bio: Laura Murray is a fourth grade teacher in Paramus, New Jersey. This is her second year using Storia in her classroom and at home with her daughter, and she loves it!