Summer Reading
Here are some great suggestions from our Reading Intervention Teacher, Nicole (Lewis) Akgun:
Hello! I've tried to compile all of the answers to questions I've gotten about summer reading. I hope you find it useful. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the number one thing you can do to help your child this summer is to encourage them to read at least 20 minutes each day. Think "fun, quality time together," not "strict homework time." Happy reading!
Kindergarten - 2nd Grade Book Lists
3rd - 5th Grade Book Lists
Comprehension Ideas
Listen to audiobooks or podcasts together and discuss.
Choose a mix of fiction and nonfiction (informational texts are often more difficult). Let their interests take the lead... outer space, basketball, cooking, etc.
Read a book together (even older kids can listen to a bedtime story!) Pause occasionally to discuss what you're both visualizing and to wonder why something is happening. See the "Great Books to Read as a Family" list in the pdfs above.
Phonics and Decoding Ideas
Workbooks: Spectrum is my favorite brand.
Sight Words: Using flashcards or the app "Sight Words Made Easy by EBLI" are my favorites. Once they are able to read many words, they can start practicing how to spell them.
Online: Kids will have free access to iReady through the school portal all summer! Many kids find it fun and simple to follow. 30-45 minutes each week is the "sweet spot" (per subject).
Apps: Simplex Spelling is highly recommended by reading teachers to reinforce phonics patterns. Click here to preview "word lists" for each app to choose which level is best for your child.
If your child has a Raz Kids account, this is a great way to access infinite "good-fit" books! If their account is through their classroom teacher, enter through the portal. If their account is through me, search Google for "Raz Kids" or download the free "Kids A-Z" app, click the green "Kids Login" button, enter mrsakgun123 for the teacher username, then their first name for the password.
More Ideas
Audiobooks, podcasts, and magazines totally "count" as reading and are great for travel.
Older kids can choose the same book with their friends to hold an informal "book club."
To reinforce letter formation, spelling, and writing conventions, try writing fun short stories, comics, greeting cards, or letters to pen pals.
Vacations, museum visits, and other activities build key background knowledge; discuss the concepts and vocab that comes up during these rich experiences. (And you can seek out books to extend the learning! Ex. search "books about camping for kids" or "tidepool children's books")
Print one of the Reading Logs below. Kids can color in a box every day they read. If they read 4-5 days per week, they will finish the gameboard before summer ends!