Summer Reading and Writing Suggestions
Donna Reichert Reading Specialist

Summer reading loss refers to the decline in reading development that can occur when children are away from classroom literacy activities. The impact of summer reading loss is significant The suggestions that follow should help combat the effects of summer reading loss.

Summer Reading Response Journals:  This project was initiated last summer and will continue again in the same manner. Look for these journals and the instructions the last week of school. Children returning the completed project will receive recognition in September.

Suggested Summer Reading Lists: Each grade level has a list of books that are recommended (not required) reading. You may find it in the student's report card envelope.

Lower Southampton Township Library Summer Programs: Check out the programs offered at the local public library.

Principal's Summer Reading Challenge: Stay tuned for further information about this challenge in the next few weeks.

Literacy advice for families

Literacy tips for early readers

· Point out print in the child's environment on cereal boxes, food labels, toys, restaurants, and
       traffic signs.

· Sing songs, say short poems or nursery rhymes, and play rhyming words games with your child.

· Tell stories to your child.

· Read aloud to your child. Point to the words on the page as you read

· Read a short passage several times to your child until your child can read it with you. Then  
      encourage your child to read the passage to you.

· Encourage older children to read with younger children.

· Encourage your child to read (or pretend read) to you. Make this reading enjoyable. Don't worry if
      your child does not read all of the words correctly but, rather, applaud your child's efforts to read.

· Go to the library together.

· Have books, magazines, and newspapers around the house. Let your child see you reading

· Encourage your child to write messages such as grocery lists, to-do lists, postcards, or short
      messages to family members or friends. Don't worry about conventional spelling at this point but,
      rather, encourage your child's first efforts at· authorship.

· When watching television, have the captioning feature enabled so that the children view the

       words while hearing them performed aloud. 

Literacy tips for more advanced readers

· Talk to your child about what he or she is reading. Ask open-ended questions such as "What do you think about that story?" "What would you have done if you were that character?"

· Make reading and writing a regular part of your daily home activities. Let your child see you using reading and writing for real purposes.

· Visit the public library. Help your child to get his or her own library card.

· Read to your child regularly, even after your child is able to read some books independently.

· Listen to your child read. Use strategies to help your child with tricky words. For example, when your child comes to an unfamiliar word, you might say, "Skip it and read to the end of the sentence. Now try again-what makes sense and looks like the word that you see?"

· Praise your child's efforts at reading.

· Play word games such as thinking of different words to describe the same things.

· Support your child’s writing. Have writing materials such as paper, markers, and pencils available. Read what your child writes.

· Set reasonable limits for television viewing.