How to Turn Reading Into Kids’ Favorite Summer Pastime

Research shows that children who do not read over the summer can fall behind on their reading progress, and this setback can have a long term impact on their education. Get your students amped up and excited to read this summer with our Summer Reading Challenge. Included are log sheet examples, as well as tips and tricks to promote successful completion of the challenge.

Reading Challenge List

Before students leave the classroom for the summer, have them make their own summer reading list. Help students find books that fit into each category with a visit to the library or an internet search. Encourage your students to start with any category of their choosing. By giving children choices in what they read, they are more likely going to want to read.

1. A book that was made into a TV show or movie
2. A book by an author you’ve never read before
3. A book you can read in one day
4. A book recommended by a friend or family member
5. A book published the year you were born
6. A book with a setting on a different continent
7. A book about a person your age
8. A book about a sports figure
9. A book about a celebrity
10. A Newberry Award winning book
11. A book about a place you have visited
12. A book about your favorite animal

Tips and Tricks to Keep Kids Excited to Read

Encourage students to succeed at the challenge by sharing these tips and tricks with parents and guardians.

1. Quick Checks: Have parents set aside 5 minutes a day a few times a week to ask their child about the book they’re reading.
2. Take a Reading Field Trip: Pack up some blankets and snacks and go to the park for a reading session.
3. Partner Reading: Have parents read with their child. Children can also read aloud to pets, siblings, and friends. Sharing the experience makes reading more fun and increases accountability.
4. Illustrations to Show Comprehension: Have the child draw a comic strip about what happens in the story.

Reading Logs

Here are some free downloads for creative ways to keep track of students’ reading: This Reading Mama and Pinterest

Have anything to add? We’d love to hear from you! Share your thoughts and ideas in the comments below!