Video games, television, cell phones, and social media. There are so many things vying for our children's attention. While these can be entertaining in moderation, we've all seen the research showing that excessive screen time can have negative effects.
Yet here we are, one month into summer. Kids are starting to get bored, parents are running out of ideas to keep them entertained, and budgets may be getting a little tighter. The temptation to allow more and more screen time is real.
Summer Learning Loss
Unfortunately, increased screen time combined with little to no reading or math practice can result in a phenomenon educators know well: Summer Learning Loss, often called the Summer Slide.
Summer Learning Loss refers to the decline in academic skills that can occur during the summer months when children are out of school. In the study Schools Out: The Role of Summers in Understanding Achievement Disparities, researchers from Brown University analyzed more than 200 million test scores collected over five years from students across the United States. Their findings showed that many students consistently lost reading and math skills during the summer months.
The results bring to mind the old saying, "two steps forward and one step back." While we celebrate the growth students make during the school year, a significant portion of that progress can be lost over the summer if learning comes to a complete stop.
Preventing Summer Learning Loss
The good news is that much of this loss can be prevented through small, consistent learning activities during the summer.
Parents should feel encouraged to know that summer homeschooling is not necessary. Simply reading an average of twenty minutes each day can help children maintain the reading growth they achieved during the school year.
Of course, many families face challenges when trying to establish a daily reading routine. Busy schedules, uncertainty about which books to choose, limited experience discussing books with children, or even a child's lack of interest in reading can make it difficult to stay consistent.
Chapter Chasers: A Simple Solution
My librarian friend, Liz Fambrough, and I have created what we hope will be a simple solution.
This July, we will host Chapter Chasers, a virtual book club for students entering grades 3–6. Participants may choose to read The One and Only Ivan by Katherine Applegate, The 13-Story Treehouse by Andy Griffiths, or both.
Registration will take place through this Google Form. Once registered, families will receive an email containing the downloadable reading plan and links for purchasing the book(s). Because multiple editions of these books exist, it is important to purchase them using the links provided. We encourage families to have their books by July 1.
Students can then choose the reading plan that best fits their schedule and begin reading. Each reading plan is designed so participants will finish their book during the week of July 25. All participants will receive an emailed certificate of completion.
On Monday, July 27th, at 6:30 PM, we will host a one-hour live YouTube discussion for anyone who would like to participate. Together, we'll talk about the books, share recommendations for future reads, and celebrate the joy of getting lost in a great story.
One Solution for a Shared Goal
Through Chapter Chasers, we hope to accomplish two important goals.
First, we want to help parents support their children's daily reading habits in a simple and manageable way.
Second, we hope to strengthen students' love of reading while building the reading stamina needed for success in school and beyond. By connecting children with engaging chapter books and a community of fellow readers, we believe we can help them discover just how rewarding reading can be.
We look forward to welcoming students to Chapter Chasers and growing a community of young readers this summer.
Ready to join the adventure? Sign up for Chapter Chasers today and help your child make reading part of their summer story.
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