Summer. Reading.
Those two words can sometimes provoke a feeling of dread in
our students. They aren’t as exciting as other words of summer like “swimming” and
“ice cream”. Summer reading somehow gets translated by some to mean a dreadful task
that needs to be completed, in as little time as possible, just check the box
and be done! In some cases, the box gets checked just prior to the buses
pulling up to the stop in September. We SO need to and want to change that feeling!
We want those two words, summer reading, to conjure the sense of an opportunity
to read in a way that might be a little more relaxed, and a little more
extended, than during the regular school year. Maybe even on a hammock or
somewhere on a beach.
By now you have received
our Summer Reading Lists. Families often ask us how many of the books a child
should read. One? Two? Our answer is simple; all of them and then some!
Becoming an independent and engaged reader is one of the single largest
influencers impacting a child’s academic growth. There just isn’t any
substitute for it. Vocabulary, new knowledge, points of view, and ideas are
presented in books in a manner that can’t be replicated any other way. There
are 3 key ideas to keep in mind in supporting students who read:
1.
Variety:
The Narnia Chronicles and Harry Potter series are often the hook
in getting students engaged and motivated to read. We love a good series! It is
important to remember that a broad exposure to different genres helps to build
an open mind. It is true what they say, You
can’t judge a book by its cover. Pick up a book of poems, or a non-fiction
title over fiction. And if your child gets one or two chapters in and doesn’t
like the book…close it and move on.
2. Rigor: Don’t be intimidated by a book
that might seem to present a little challenge. Reading ability gets stronger
when books cause a student to focus, re-read and maybe even have to look up a
word now and then. Experts recommend looking at 5 random pages in a book to
test out the readability. It won’t be long before students find that sweet
spot.
3. Amount: A little bit of reading, every
day, goes a long way. The daily habit of reading can be instilled at any age –
it’s not too late! Newspapers and magazines are a great source for short bursts
of reading. We always recommend a hard copy of the New York Times because of its high-interest articles. Each day of
the week has a unique section, but students might have particular interest in
these: Monday (Sports), Tuesday (Science), Wednesday (Food) and Thursday
(Arts). Grab a copy next time you are out and just take a look. We get ten
copies a day delivered here at school so that your child can always get their
hands on a newspaper.
To help you keep a steady supply of books readily available,
check out one of our terrific local libraries - there’s one near YOU!
They will be setting up the midway at the New York State
Fair before we know it and it will be back to school. In the meantime, slap on
some sunscreen and have yourself a wonderful and relaxing summer full of good
books!
Continued Success,
Steve Dunham
Twitter:
@Sdunhamwgms
