Summer Reading for your student will be here soon. This means 1-3 books will have to be read and finished by August or September 2023. Tests, essays, and projects based on assigned summer reading await, so students have to read with enough retention to do well.
Summer reading can be fun! I approach it like a book club with students, but we go deep into academic reading and writing skills.
Here are a few of the ways that I support summer reading to ensure comprehension, successful retention, sound writing skills, and some fun. 🙂
Summer Reading Books
I buy the exact, same books as the student. Even online, it is vital that we both have that same copy.
We do some reading together; both silently and aloud.
Specific, annotating tasks are given; most students don’t know how to annotate efficiently and effectively.
- I often show my own annotations under a document camera as models.
- I ask to see the student’s annotations through Zoom.
Student Reading Log
- The student creates a reading log on Google Docs out of my customized reading log for the book.
- I check the reading log in between sessions for student accountability.
- The reading log information is to be used for any tests, essays, or projects on the books to come.
Discussion
Discussion about a reading selection is the hallmark of the educated mind, and talking about a book not only teaches, but it also inspires deeper thinking. My goal is to raise the student’s discourse in general.
Vocabulary Enhancement
Reading is the best way to build vocabulary, but interaction and the use of new words are necessary.
- Students keep a log of new academic vocabulary and synonyms
- I present models from the book that use it, and I create my own sentences using vocabulary.
- The student writes sentences with the new vocabulary.
- Students write paragraphs and essays using more academic vocabulary
Writing
The best writing material is that which we read. For decades the research on effective writing instruction has pointed directly to blending reading and writing. Student writers learn the structures of the language and vocabulary when they write about what they have just read.
1. Literary Elements are created, presented, and reviewed in my colorful graphic organizers on the document camera.
2. Student Idea Generating for Themes
3. Addressing Prompts about the reading
4. The analytical paragraphs and essays about the readings are taught and practiced. Single paragraph outlines, essay outlines.
5. Grammar is woven through all writing instruction. Grammar models are pulled from the books.
Students love showing off their long, detailed reading logs, book annotations, analytical paragraphs and essays, and new vocabulary to parents. Their Easy A’s on book assessments in the fall are also a big hit for all.