Keep your children reading and writing this summer
Young readers who don't continue to read over the summer — especially those who are reluctant or at-risk — are likely to lose crucial ground. One summer off can sometimes mean a whole school year of struggling academically. It is recommended that students should read 10 minutes a day for each grade they have completed. (Ex. 3rd grade = 30 minutes daily) Regular, short amounts of reading are more beneficial than reading a few days for longer time. Reading and writing are closely connected. Be sure to help your children get writing practice this summer as well. Here are some tips to help keep your children reading and writing this summer.
Keep Reading!
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Keep Writing!
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Building Background Knowledge
Background knowledge is what a person already knows about a topic. The more background knowledge students have, the easier it is for them to read accurately and comprehend what they are reading as well as understand teachers’ lessons
Summer is a wonderful time to build children’s background knowledge. This can be done by taking trips such as to museums, zoos, or going camping and discussing the things you do and see. One of the easiest ways you can help your children increase their background knowledge is by reading to them and having them read to you. As you read together, talk about what you’ve read and any new learning that’s come about.
Summer is a wonderful time to build children’s background knowledge. This can be done by taking trips such as to museums, zoos, or going camping and discussing the things you do and see. One of the easiest ways you can help your children increase their background knowledge is by reading to them and having them read to you. As you read together, talk about what you’ve read and any new learning that’s come about.
Summer Reading Programs
Enroll your children in one or more of the following Summer Reading Programs to help motivate them to keep reading this summer!
When reading independently, it’s important that students read books they are interested in, but it’s also important that they read books that are on their level- not too easy and not too hard- to help them advance as a reader. Students learn about and practice this many times in class, but I know some children may still need your assistance in identifying “just right” books to read at home. It may be helpful to have your child read the first three sentences of the book aloud to you. If he/she gets stuck more than once, it’s probably too hard. If he/she doesn’t get stuck at all, it’s probably too easy.
Scholastic Book Wizard is a great resource to help find books on your child's reading level. You can search based on your child's DRA level, grade level, or interests. You can also type in a specific book title to find out what level it is as well as other books that are similar to it. They also have an Book Wizard App. that allows you to scan the bar code of a book. If it's in their database, it will tell you what the reading level of the book.
Below are some popular series of books at different levels. If your child is having trouble finding books that are a “good fit,” they would be a good place to start. Some of the book series range in levels. I have placed them under the lowest level they fit under. Keep in mind, there may be books in some series that are a bit harder than others- especially with nonfiction books. To promote reading fluency, it's better for children to read at or below their independent level rather than above. However, if your children are interested in books that are above their independent reading level, they would benefit from having someone read the book to them and discussing the book together to promote strong comprehension.
A-6 (expected levels for Kindergarten-early 1st grade)
Real Kids Readers
Science Emergent Readers
High Frequency Readers
Reading Discovery
Rookie Ready to Learn
8 -14 (expected levels for middle first grade)
Welcome Books
Puppy Mudge
Biscuit
Rookie Read-Abouts
Let’s Read About…
Scholastic Book Wizard is a great resource to help find books on your child's reading level. You can search based on your child's DRA level, grade level, or interests. You can also type in a specific book title to find out what level it is as well as other books that are similar to it. They also have an Book Wizard App. that allows you to scan the bar code of a book. If it's in their database, it will tell you what the reading level of the book.
Below are some popular series of books at different levels. If your child is having trouble finding books that are a “good fit,” they would be a good place to start. Some of the book series range in levels. I have placed them under the lowest level they fit under. Keep in mind, there may be books in some series that are a bit harder than others- especially with nonfiction books. To promote reading fluency, it's better for children to read at or below their independent level rather than above. However, if your children are interested in books that are above their independent reading level, they would benefit from having someone read the book to them and discussing the book together to promote strong comprehension.
A-6 (expected levels for Kindergarten-early 1st grade)
Real Kids Readers
Science Emergent Readers
High Frequency Readers
Reading Discovery
Rookie Ready to Learn
8 -14 (expected levels for middle first grade)
Welcome Books
Puppy Mudge
Biscuit
Rookie Read-Abouts
Let’s Read About…
16 and 18 (expected levels for end of 1st grade/beginning of 2nd grade)
Young Cam Jansen
Froggy
Henry and Mudge
Books by Mo Willems
Little Critter
Frog and Toad
Scholastic News Non-Fiction Readers
Blastoff! Readers
20 and 24 (expected levels for middle second grade)
Cam Jansen
Clifford
Franklin
Frog and Toad
Nate the Great
Ready Freddy Reader
Our Neighborhood
Hello Readers- Level 3
Young Cam Jansen
Froggy
Henry and Mudge
Books by Mo Willems
Little Critter
Frog and Toad
Scholastic News Non-Fiction Readers
Blastoff! Readers
20 and 24 (expected levels for middle second grade)
Cam Jansen
Clifford
Franklin
Frog and Toad
Nate the Great
Ready Freddy Reader
Our Neighborhood
Hello Readers- Level 3
28 (expected level for end of 2nd grade/beginning of 3rd grade)
Black Lagoon
Dinosaur Cove
Horrible Harry
Jake Drake
Junie B. Jones
Magic Treehouse
Puppy Place
Ready Freddy
A True Book
Postcards From...
30-34 (expected levels for middle 3rd grade)
A-Z Mysteries
Flat Stanley
Secrets of Droon
Jigsaw Jones
Judy Moody
Rainbow Magic
Geronimo Stilton
Animal Ark Pets
Ramona Quimby
Look What Came From...
Scholastic Reader Level 3
38 (expected level for end of 3rd grade)
Boxcar Children
Nature’s Children
Pony Pals
Hank the Cowdog
Encyclopedia Brown
Nature's Children
Childhood of Famous Americans
Black Lagoon
Dinosaur Cove
Horrible Harry
Jake Drake
Junie B. Jones
Magic Treehouse
Puppy Place
Ready Freddy
A True Book
Postcards From...
30-34 (expected levels for middle 3rd grade)
A-Z Mysteries
Flat Stanley
Secrets of Droon
Jigsaw Jones
Judy Moody
Rainbow Magic
Geronimo Stilton
Animal Ark Pets
Ramona Quimby
Look What Came From...
Scholastic Reader Level 3
38 (expected level for end of 3rd grade)
Boxcar Children
Nature’s Children
Pony Pals
Hank the Cowdog
Encyclopedia Brown
Nature's Children
Childhood of Famous Americans