Celebrate the first day of summer with summer reading.

Summer reading is an important component of an overall reading program. Research shows that summer vacation often has a significant negative effect on student learning. Providing opportunities for students to read regularly during the summer can prevent documented reading achievement losses. The bottom line is that students who read during the summer do better in the fall.

A June literacy fair for students and their families is the perfect way to end the school year and get students off on the right track for the summer. In addition to standard carnival fare (face painting, games of chance, etc.), offer a variety of fun literacy-based activities.

• The cost of entrance? Ask students to bring a lightly used book as an entrance pass, to be collected on a table or display. As students leave, each person can select a book to keep from the donations.
  
  
• Hold a literary trivia contest, with new, donated books for prizes.
  
  
• Invite an author to your school for a book reading/signing event.
  
  
• Don't forget to invite families to your event and to include informational material.
  
  

• Parent & Afterschool Resources
  

  From ReadWriteThink, this section of the site is designed for parents, caregivers, and tutors, and includes activities and other resources to use with children and teens over the summer months.

   

• Summer Reading and Learning
  

  This NCTE page is the perfect place to begin looking for summer reading resources. Teachers can find links to teaching ideas, lesson plans, booklists, professional reading, and related NCTE resources.

   

• Choices Reading Lists
  

  Each year, thousands of children, young adults, teachers, and librarians around the United States select their favorite recently published books for the “Choices” booklists. These lists are used in classrooms, libraries, and homes to help young readers find books they will enjoy.

   

• Summer Reading Guide
  

  Reading is Fundamental provides ideas to keep kids reading during vacation. There are activities and tips on encouraging children to love reading.