Summer Reading
Summer Reading
Soon the six-week summer holidays will be happening, and children across the Western Downs are winding down for the break. Text books and spelling lists are being swapped for bathers and sunscreen. Play is very important for our little ones, but reading over the summer is also a fantastic, and important, activity.
In some countries, the term “summer slide” has become a well-used phrase. Tom Nicholson, professor of literacy education at Massey University in Auckland, has shown that some students’ reading can drop a massive six months over the summer break. His research, done in the US, suggests the drop is much more significant for low socioeconomic status students, whereas higher SES students stay steady or gain ground over the summer.
Summer Reading club
With this in mind, why not join the Summer Reading Club which inspires opportunities to keep your kids reading, playing, exploring and discovering all summer long. There are no set books to read, but, why not set a family challenge to read 20 books over the holidays. Your Library is a treasure trove of books, with many different collections available for children and young people. Picture books, leveled readers, junior fiction and young adult are all available, as well as magazines, ebooks and audiobooks.
Leveled Readers
The library has hundreds of level readers, from different publishers. Some may be the same as your school stocks, however, some may be different adding variety to your reading. Books chosen should offer your child just the right level of support and challenge. Come on in, and ask the library staff to show you the Beginner, Emergent or Early Readers, and you will soon work out your child’s perfect level. For more information you may like to read the article What is Leveled Reading? by Gay Su Pinnell.
Beginner readers have few words and are usually repetitive, sometimes just changing one word per page. They are perfect for the child starting prep or is currently in prep. Hello, Bingo by Annette Smith, Beverley Randell and Jenny Giles is an example of our Beginner Readers.
Erin Rides Tiffy by Jay Dale is an example of our Emergent Readers.
Early Readers have more words, but, are perfect for the more confident Reader. An example is Tulips for my Teacher by Jay Dale.
Our advice, just visit your library and see what book your child gravitates towards and borrow the book. It costs nothing, but, may pay dividends when they return to school.