Support Summer Reading: Teacher Edition

Summer Reading is Crucial: Practical Tips for Teachers

Summer is a time when many students lose ground in reading. In fact, students can lose up to a month of reading progress over the summer if they don’t read regularly.

Encouraging summer reading is a shared responsibility. Certainly, the teacher whose class is ending is in the best position to recommend books tailored to each student’s reading level and interests. Meanwhile, the upcoming teacher can reinforce the importance of reading by discussing summer books in the fall and celebrating students who kept up the habit.

Fun idea for teachings banding together: create a Little Free Library outside your school! If your school has a shop class, ask those students to build the library, or two. Then, have a class of younger students paint the library. Make a list of “wanted” books and encourage the community to be active in Little Library use.

For Younger Students (Grades K–5): Make Summer Reading a Habit

• Use Reading Challenges: Tools like Scholastic’s Summer Reading Program offer free printables and logs to keep kids motivated.
• Promote Library Visits: Many public libraries host themed reading events and prize-based programs. Send students home with information for their parents about the local library, it’s free access, and scheduling information.
• Model Daily Routines: Recommend students set aside 20 minutes a day for reading to build fluency and vocabulary. Resources are available here.
• Send Home Book Bags: Let students borrow one or two “just right” books to take home over break. Knowing each students’ reading level will allow teachers to send home books that will actually be read.

For Older Students (Grades 6–12): Give Them Voice and Reason to Read

• Share Diverse Book Lists: Include genres like memoir, fantasy, sports, and social justice. We like this list which includes a short synopsis of each book, and this list tailored for male teens / young men.
• Encourage Digital Access: Teens can listen to audiobooks or read on apps like Libby and Hoopla, often free through public libraries.
• Connect Reading to Interests: Help students find books tied to their hobbies or future plans.

Conclusion

When you help a child fall in love with reading, you don’t just boost their academic skills—you open the door to a lifetime of learning. As a teacher, you’re surely passionate about making that kind of difference. If you know someone who feels the same way, encourage them to become a teacher and join you in inspiring the next generation of readers. More information is available at americanboard.org.

And if you’re already teaching but you want to step up your summer reading game, consider adding a new certification area! You can learn how to do so, quickly and affordably, at americanboard.org.

Summer Reading: FAQs

• Is summer reading still a thing? Yes! Preventing the summer slide (loss of learning that takes place between school years) is crucial, and the number one way to do so is encouraging kids to read during the off months.
• What is the theme for summer reading 2025? Sponsored by the Collaborative Summer Library Program, this year’s theme is Color Our World.