Research shows that students can lose up to three months of reading ability if they fail to read over the summer. Known as summer learning loss, this decline in reading can result in lower achievement potential and a widening of the achievement gap. Although summer learning loss is a serious concern, it is preventable. Studies have shown that children who read throughout the summer do not suffer the same losses and possibly demonstrate growth in reading competence. Here are some programs and resources that can encourage them to read tons of books during these hot summer months. 

1. Georgia Summer Reading Challenge

The Georgia Department of Education is conducting a summer reading challenge with a goal of having every child read for at least 15 to 30 minutes a day. Students earn points for reading books and will receive 10 points just for signing up. The student, school, and district with the most points at the end of the challenge will be recognized. Take a look at the suggested goals for specific grade levels below.

  • Grades K-2 Students: read 10 books
  • Grades 3-5 Students: read 8 chapter books
  • Grades 6-HS Students: read 5 fiction books and 5 non-fiction books

One way to select proper reading material for your child is to determine their reading level. You can do this by visiting Lexile.com, entering their grade level, and selecting the statement that best describes their comfort with reading. The site generates a Lexile and you can select books within that Lexile range. For more information about Lexile and reading levels, click here. 

2. Get Georgia Reading 

Get Georgia Reading and myON are providing more than 8,000 books to children, from now through August 30, via computer and mobile devices. Access to these books will be available 24 hours a day and participants are encouraged to sign up so Get Georgia Reading can keep track of which community is reading the most. So far this year, Georgia students have read over 160,000 books!!

3. Public Library Programs 

There is a lot happening at Georgia's public libraries! This year's theme for the Summer Reading Program is On Your Mark, Get Set...READ!  Local libraries will have regular story times, and puppet shows, and the Georgia Department of Education will even host summer reading events at specific library locations. Click here for details. 1,000 Books Before Kindergarten is another program that encourages parents to read at least 1,000 books to their toddlers before they enter kindergarten. Participants receive stickers, bookmarks, or even patches as they complete logs and turn them into their local library. 

4. Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge

Inspire your youngster to become a Reading Superhero this summer by having them participate in the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge. The program begins May 9 and lasts until September 9. Kids can keep record of how many minutes they read each day, unlock badges, and enter sweepstakes to win cool prizes. Scholastic is also going on a Summer Reading Road Trip! They will tour the country and host reading festivals with authors, illustrators, and characters. The tour will visit the Little Shop of Stories in Decatur, Georgia on July 23, 2016. Hope to see you there!  

5. Do-It-Yourself Summer Reading Camp

PBS and education.com have put together resources for a Do-It-Yourself Summer Reading Camp. The site provides everything needed to host 10 fun weeks of reading. Themes include bugs, heroes, and animal antics.

6. Between the Lions Early Reading Collection

Help your little ones develop a voracious appetite for reading while building core literacy skills with the Between the Lions Early Reading Collection. This collection covers early reading and language arts topics including fluency, phonemic awareness, text comprehension, and vocabulary. PBS LearningMedia has a host of additional reading resources from beloved shows such as Super Why!, Crash Course, and the Electric Company. Teachers, sign up for your free PBS LearningMedia account so you can check them out. Contact us at education@gpb.org for additional information. 

7. Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Triathlon

Kids have the opportunity to receive a free book if they complete the free Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Triathlon. The program requires individuals to read books and record them in a reading journal. Once they have completed the journal, they can turn it in at their local Barnes and Noble and select a book from the store’s Reading Journal list. 

8. Georgia Department of Education Book Donations

As a result of a partnership among Change 4 Georgia, Better World Books, and Scholastic, the Georgia Department of Education will donate over 100,000 books to students across the state. GaDOE will give 25,000 to Georgia’s 21st Century Community Learning Centers, while the others will be distributed through the Georgia Food Bank Association, other various organizations, and during GaDOE summer reading events. 

9. Free Tickets to the Fair

The Georgia National Fair has teamed up with the Georgia Public Library Service to reward the individual that reads the most books at a particular library with a Family 4-pack of general admission tickets to the Georgia National Fair. Children ages 5-12 are eligible to participate. Contact your local librarian for more details.

10. Discovery Education Content Collection

 Discovery Education has an entire literacy collection that is complete with lesson starters for all grades. Video segments, images, and other materials can help students explore and analyze developments in literacy around the world and throughout history. Teachers, contact us at education@gpb.org for more information and to sign up for your free account. 

Share more summer reading programs with us in the comments section below!