Eighth grade through twelfth grade my school required summer reading for every subject in school. That meant not only reading for English class and humanities but Mathematics and Science. Classic fiction and global literature were introduced through summer reading requirements, and so was Women in Mathematics (Olsen, 1975) and Flatland (Abbot, 1884). Like many, I left these reading requirements until the last week of summer vacation and approached each book with feelings of torment and disinterest. Fast forward to today’s summer reading requirements at public schools around the US and one would find free reading and choice. But does free choice promote reading and the love of reading any more than the required reading of my youth?
Whether you side with assigned summer reading or book choice, to promote a culture of reading in your school and community from kindergarten all the way to twelfth grade, summer reading is just one piece of the reading puzzle. There are numerous reports to illustrate a decline in reading among our students. According to the National Assessment of Educational Progress (2022) and Scholastic’s Kids & Family Reading Report (2019), between the ages of 8 and 9 reading for fun drops. By the time students enter upper elementary grades and secondary school reading is required across all subjects for comprehension and academic success. Reading for pleasure is something that is squeezed outside of school among all the extra curricular activities that fill students’ schedules.
To reverse “the decline at nine,” school communities need to promote a culture where reading and literacy are valued and celebrated all year long, not just incentivised through an eight week summer reading program. Our local libraries do amazing work putting together summer reading programs for our students. In fact, this year’s Collaborative Summer Library Program (CSLP) theme is “Adventure Begins At Your Library” and unique programs are already on the summer calendar to invite young people into the library, participate and read. In the community where I am a middle school teacher, the teen librarian, has organized games, DIY crafts, and even a historical sword craft presentation and hands on demonstration for those intrigued by medieval adventures this summer.
We cannot just let our librarians do all the work to encourage summer reading. Here are four additional strategies for working in tandem with our local libraries to promote reading all summer long Here are three ways to promote reading this summer. .
- Organize a Summer Reading Book Club among teachers and students. Teachers should share what is on their summer To Be Read (TBR) lists to help students curate a reading list and or initiate a school-wide book club among teachers, administrators, and students. During COVID, I organized a school wide book club on Zoom to discuss Jason Reynolds and Ibram X. Kendi’s Stamped (2020). More than a dozen teachers and students participated that summer alongside the principal and guidance counselors. This sparked many insightful conversations about what we read about. The summer book club was a great opportunity for teachers and students to connect over the summer, plus it allowed us to learn from one another.
- Let’s play Summer Reading Bingo. This choice or game board invites students to participate in reading experiences all summer long. Provide reading choices, suggestions, and ciphers for students to uncover throughout the summer months. Elements on the choice board can be in person and or virtual activities students participate in as they are engaging in reading experiences. Mary Had a Little Book Blog creates a YA Reading Bingo board (see below) with general topics for students to explore with book choices. Whereas, Children’s Librarian Mike Rawl’s (@thebookwrangler) created a Taylor Swift Summer Reading Playlist with specific book recommendations. Bottom line, give students reading choice as well as recommendations to invite students to enjoy great books.
- Book versus the Movie Community Wide Event. Whether the book has been turned into a streaming series or a block buster on the big screen, have students read the book first and then host a viewing party. You might organize dinner and a movie in your community or suggest a literary themed menu or snacks for everyone’s viewing. Want to plan ahead for the fall, organize an all school read of Gregory Maguire’s Wicked before its November 2024 movie release. Then celebrate the movie release with a field trip to see the movie later this year. Want to stay close to home, classic books like The Spiderwick Chronicles and Harold and the Purple Crayon will be streaming soon.
The Teaching Factor 