Statistics show that students lose an estimated 2 months of learning over the summer long break. A number of studies have found that students score lower on the same standardized test at the end of the summer than they do at t the beginning of the summer. Summer learning loss or "the summer slide" is when knowledge learned throughout the school year is loss when school is not in session. Since 65% of students read at basic or below reading level it is imperative that the summer loss does not add further decline in our students.
Summer Learning Loss Results In:
The summer slide increases the academic achievement gap over years.
Summer loss adds up to the equivalent of three years of reading loss by 5th grade.
Summer learning loss accounts for two-thirds of the 9th grade achievement gap in reading between students from low-income households and their higher-income peers.
Students see greater academic dips in math and reading.
How can the summer slide be reversed?
1. Take 'em to the library. Studies have shown that reading just six books over the summer can prevent reading regression. Librarians are more than happy to help find the independent reading level for your child. Make sure the books that your child is reading is their "just right" reading level for them. Check with your child's teacher before the end of the school year for their most current reading level scores. Also, browse the library for books that match your child's age, interests, and reading abilities. Join the summer reading program at your local library. Most libraries have reading contests that promotes summer reading. Kids are given a small prize at the end of the summer for reading a designated number of books. We all love a little healthy competition!
2. Read Digitally. If you are traveling and/ or prefer reading online check out https://www.getepic.com/. It's a wonderful digital library for kids 12 and under with over 35,000 books to choose from. Epic! grants students immediate access to digital versions of classic books like “A Wrinkle in Time” and “Bridge to Terabithia.”
3. Spend Time Reading Aloud. Reading aloud to children and old students is a well kept secret with numerous benefits such as increased comprehension, vocabulary building, and increase listening skills. Through read alouds learners will hear and see how great authors use words to convey meaning in texts.
4.Schedule Reading and Writing Assignments. The lazy summer months are long and students often are bored and may want to engage in research, current events, and fun reading with programs such as Newsela and Flocabulary to maintain a stream of educational activities. Use an interesting book your child has read to entice him to write. Remember good readers make good writers. Getting students to write is often a daunting or difficult task. This reluctantcy of writing often stems from not knowing what to say in their writing, overwhelmed with how to meet length requirements assigned by teachers, or the over-analyzing and fear that the writing will not be "right" in the eyes of the audience reading the essay. Have student create a "movie in their head" and draw what they see, taste, hear, and feel about their topic. Turn these visualizations into sentence writing, creative writing, journaling, paragraph writing, essay writing, formal writing, informal writing, or basically any kind of writing will that will rekindle a desire for writing and reverse the belief that "writing is not hard."
5. Summer Reading Program. In addition to the above suggestions enrolling in a quality summer reading camp with expert teachers or tutors that understands the fundamentals of reading will not only prevent summer loss but in most cases will INCREASE and strengthen your child's reading and overall academic skills that will be necessary for the new fall school year. Seek referrals from friends that you trust or conduct an extensive search for great tutors and summer programs in your area.
“The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.” – Dr. Seuss
About the Author
Shauntelle is a former classroom teacher turned homeschool mom. She is a reading specialist who teaches K-5th students during the day in the private sector and tutors reading to K-12 students in the evenings. Shauntelle is also an adjunct professor of reading and education at local colleges. Her Ph.D. research is the role of Parental Involvement and Literacy achievement. In Shauntelle's spare time she is reading, watching basketball, and laughing with her husband and daughter Madelyn Grace.
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