The lazy days of summer are a prime time for catching up on reading for enjoyment, especially for those students who prefer more flexibility in their choices. However, the idea of a reading log can be polarizing. Some detest having to keep track of pages or minutes read, finding that it takes a loved activity and turns it into a chore. Others appreciate the accountability and record that a reading log provides. While the data on the effectiveness of reading logs is mixed, it’s great if you can find a way that works for your family to track reading progress or create a personalized summer reading list. First, let’s look at why summer reading is so important.
Reading during the summer is one of the best ways to keep students engaged in learning while school is out, helping to reduce effects of the “summer slide” of learning loss. Continuing to read exercises the brain, just like physical movement exercises muscles. This helps keep literacy skills strong. Summer reading also gives students an opportunity to explore different topics or genres, which can lead to new skills or knowledge. And surprisingly, most kids enjoy summer reading! A Kids & Family Reading Report by Scholastic showed that “more than half (59%) of all kids ages 6–17 say ‘I really enjoy reading books over the summer.’”
Creating a Summer Reading List
A collaborative approach to building a summer reading list can help ensure reading stays fun, while also giving children appropriately challenging books and boosting their reading progress. You and your child can work together to build a list that covers the goals you have set for them and considers their interests. Here’s some quick areas to address.
What Is Your Child Interested In?
Using a child’s interests and hobbies is a great way to tailor their summer reading list. A specific topic, such as video games, can then be expanded on by looking at broader areas of interest, such as technology and inventions. Students don’t have complete freedom to choose their books during the school year, so give them a lot of autonomy during this selection process.
What Goals Do You Have for Their Reading Progress?
End-of-year assessments can give you an idea of any weaknesses your child has regarding reading, which can then provide a road map of skills to work on during the summer. Some skill areas include building their vocabulary, exploring more fiction or nonfiction work, increase their reading level, or deepening reading comprehension. These skills can be shared with older children, or something that only you track so as not to pressure your child.
What Is Their Current Reading Level?
If increasing your child’s reading level is part of your summer reading goal, you’ll need to start by knowing their current skill level. Most schools will have that information for you, and you can use a conversion chart if you need to compare different scales. Another way is to look at a book they’re currently comfortably reading and check the level (either within the book, found by a web search, or using the Flesch-Kincaid readability formula). There are also various online reading level assessments available. Once you know this information, you can easily find recommended book lists to get ideas of titles. And don’t forget that your local librarian is a great resource!
Using a Reading Log
In the Scholastic study mentioned previously, an alarming statistic was the rise of students who read zero books over the summer, with percentages rising across all age groups surveyed. One factor was the lack of access to books during the summer months, but another is the lack of participation in structured reading programs.
Twenty-two percent of kids told us that they participated in a summer reading program or contest and 65% said their participation resulted in reading more than they otherwise would have. Yet this opportunity was not afforded to all children: half said they didn’t know of any summer reading program in which they could have participated.
While many local libraries and schools offer some sort of reading program, you can also get the same benefits by creating your own method of tracking. To help you track your reading progress, we’ve developed a simple, printable reading log that doubles as an oversized bookmark. The minimalist format is manageable for kids of all ages, and you can use it in two different ways.
Download the Reading Log1. Track the Books Read
As your child finishes books, have them record the information so they can see their reading progress as the summer goes on. It’s very motivating to have a visual representation of their summer reading and the hard work they put in.
2. Create a Checklist
Another option is to prefill the titles of the books you chose when building your summer reading list and have your child record dates and ratings as they go. This is helpful for children who are motivated by to-do lists.
Whichever method you choose, we hope the reading log helps your child achieve their summer reading goals and leads them toward a lifetime of reading enjoyment.
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