1. “Summer Slide” refers to the educational ground that children lose during their nearly three-month break from school. Let’s look at what you can do this summer to keep those skills fresh! What is the “Summer Slide?”

2. Summer Loss in Reading “Some students experience an average summer learning loss in reading achievement of over two months.” “Others lose nearly three months.” National Summer Learning Association (2004) http://www.readingrockets.org/article/395

3. What do the experts say? “Experts agree that children who read during the summer gain reading skills, while those who do not often slide backward.” Reading Is Fundamental

5. Prevent Summer Slide Research shows that reading just six books during the summer may keep a struggling reader from regressing. When choosing books, be sure that they are just right—not too hard and not too easy. Please see the leveled book lists that will be provided today. This will help steer you toward books that are at an appropriate level for your reader.

6. Prevent Summer Slide Read Something Every Day Encourage your child to take advantage of every chance to read. Look for opportunities to read throughout the day. Set aside a 20 -30 minute family quiet reading time all summer. Visit the Library Allow your child to get his/her own library card. Attend library events, author visits, and story times. Participate in the library’s summer reading program. Visit Book Stores Make a special trip to a local bookstore and celebrate finding a great new book to read. Visit book fairs such as the Green Valley Book Fair.

7. Prevent Summer Slide Keep Reading Aloud Reading aloud benefits all children especially those who struggle. Reading aloud boosts listening comprehension, increases vocabulary knowledge and expands experiences with text. In addition, reading aloud enhances fluency as you model what fluent and expressive reading sounds like. Wide Reading Experiences Excellent readers read across genres. Expose your child to nonfiction, poetry, biographies, etc.. It is crucial that your child reads a variety of texts. Students must know how to access non-fiction text and not solely fiction. Audio Books Listening to books on CD or on websites is a great tool! The benefits are much like a read aloud experience. As you travel this summer, have the family listen to a book on CD in the car.

8. Reading Links RAZ Kids BookFlix TumbleBooks Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge Mighty Girl Books Guys Read Read Kiddo Read ( http://www.raz-kids.com/ )http://www.raz-kids.com/ (http://library.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=43) *Library Card Neededhttp://library.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=43 (http://library.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=43) *Library Card Neededhttp://library.loudoun.gov/Default.aspx?tabid=43 (www.scholastic.com/summer)www.scholastic.com/summer ( www.amightygirl.com )www.amightygirl.com ( www.guysread.com )www.guysread.com ( www.readkiddoread.com )www.readkiddoread.com