The summer holidays are the perfect time to brush up on reading skills. Students often don’t have the time for reading during their busy semester schedules. Now we have a reading challenge that will inspire them to catch up on their reading and improve their communication skills over the holidays.
When students take a break from learning over the summer months, they experience a phenomenon called the ‘Summer Slide’ where they lose some of the academic gains they made over the previous semester. This phenomenon is well documented using standardized tests which students score lower on at the end of the summer vacation compared to scores from the end of the semester (White, 1906; Heyns, 1978; Entwisle & Alexander 1992; Cooper, 1996; Downey et al, 2004).
It is estimated that most students forfeit about two months of grade level equivalency in math and reading skills (Cooper, 1996). A lack of access to summer learning opportunities is said to account for about half of the achievement gap between students from low- and high-income families. As a result, students from low-income communities are less likely to graduate from high school or enrol in college (Alexander et al, 2007).
To combat the summer learning loss, we are excited to announce our Summer Reading Challenge.
This is a fun way to keep up your reading skills, enjoy some fantastic books, and maybe win a prize.
Tutor Doctor has compiled a list of books suitable for readers of all grades. The challenge is for student to read as many of these titles as possible before Labor Day. Students from grades 1-3 should read at least five books, at least four for grade 4-7, and at least three books if you’re in Grade 8 or above.
Students don’t need to limit themselves to the books on the list and are quite welcome to read other titles and genres that catch their eye. Students can buy books online or lend them from the library if they prefer. They can also share books with each other which will encourage reading and discussion.
To complete the challenge, you must answer four questions to show that you have read the book.
Children in younger grades can get parent’s help with the answers. The questions are:
- Who is the most important character in the book for you?
- What was your favorite thing in the book? Why?
- On a scale of 1-10, how much did you enjoy the book? Why?
- What message or advice can you take from this book?
Call your local Tutor Doctor office to get the book list and to register. Some participating franchisees are even offering prizes! If you are not a customer, you can find your local office at www.tutordoctor.com.
Students can challenge their siblings and friends to see who can read the most books. This challenge not only combats the summer slide, it can help your children to get ahead of their class with reading and improved communication skills, spelling and reading speed.