Studies have found that an average student forgets up to one month of instruction during the summer months. Many teachers will admit that the first four to six weeks of a new school year is spent bringing students back to where they were at the end of the previous school year. It's called the "summer slide" and there is something you can do to help your kids avoid it.
Research indicates that reading is the most influential factor related to summer learning; children that read more not only read better, but they also write, spell and comprehend better, have larger vocabularies and use better grammar. They display sharper verbal skills, score higher on tests, and have higher self-esteem. Furthermore, giving children an opportunity to listen to or independently read books of interest to them helps provide them with a foundation for further learning and helps instill a love of reading, which will encourage them to engage in the activity more often.
Our local libraries are the perfect place to encourage your child to read more this summer. They have a fantastic line-up of free events and activities planned for the upcoming months to enhance your child's reading experience while at the same time providing academic gains and keeping kids busy and entertained. Summer reading programs are a great way to help reduce your child's summer learning loss.
Local Programs
Reading with the Rays
The rules of the game are simple. Choose your favorite books from your local library or your favorite section of the Tampa Bay Times to read over the summer. As you read, track your hours by rounding the bases and collect Rays prizes along the way. When you read enough hours to get on first base, ask your parent or guardian to initial your card and bring it to your local library. The librarian will sign your card, put a sticker on the base, and give you a reading reward. Round the bases by reading a total of 24 hours this summer and receive two tickets to a Rays game!
Hillsborough County Public Schools
also includes summer reading lists, links to myOn & more!
myOn Reading Challenge
Win great prizes reading this summer! Read 5 books (myON or any other book) to earn 1 (one) entry. Earn a weekly entry by answering challenge questions! Maximum 10 entries per student Enter online for prizes like: Behind the Scenes Tour of One Buc Place and so much more! Monday, June 5, 2017 to Thursday, July 6, 2017
Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative
also includes suggested reading lists
On Your Mark, Get Set, Read!
Every reader wins at the library this summer! Starting June 12th, visit any library to pick up a reading log and bag to carry your books in, and start reading! For every 30 minutes you read, you'll get a fun sticker on your log. Get a different prize every week when you visit the library to report your progress.
There are TONS of Hillsborough County Public Library summer reading programs this summer. Find all of the local library summer reading events & activities on our calendar.
Florida Department of Education
Just Read, Families! is a summer reading program which provides parents with information about actively reading with their children during the summer months.
My Spirit FM Summer Book Club
Just for participating, the first 1000 students receive a coupon for a treat from Chick-fil-A. 1 student will get a pair of tickets to Universal's Volcano Bay Water Theme Park!
Remi's Minis, Inc.
Remi's summer reading program is here! School age children are to read 5 books. Write down the title and author along with their favorite part. Bring the information to Remi's and receive a free 4-pack of any donuts.
National Summer Reading Programs
Bad Kitty Book Club
Sign up for the BRAND NEW Bad Kitty Book Club, where parents will get exclusive updates, information about Nick Bruel's bestselling series for kids aged 7-10 years old, fun games and activities, and much more!
Barnes & Noble Summer Reading
Fill out the Summer Reading Journal and bring to your local B&N store. Choose a FREE BOOK from our selection on the Reading Journal list at the store... Enjoy reading!
Chuck E. Cheese Reading Rewards Calendar
Read every day for two weeks and earn 10 tokens *In addition CEC offers many other Rewards Calendars
Junie B. Jones Kids' Reading Club
Keep connected with all things Junie B.! We’ll send you monthly updates about new books, fun printables like holiday cards, Junie B. games and activities, special events, sweepstakes, and more!
PBS Kids
Wondering what to do with your child today? Whether you’re at home, at school, or out running errands, use the Reading Activity Calendar to find fun, simple ways to make reading a part of your every day life. Flip through the calendar for ideas, activities, and silly holidays to celebrate together
Pizza Hut- Book It
To help increase reading time during the summer months, we partnered with Candlewick Press to bring your kids summer reading activities. Click on the links below to learn more about the books and download the activities.
Scholastic Summer Challenge
Read & log minutes all summer. Unlock activities & earn rewards. Enter for a chance to win Klutz books. You can also download the FREE APP: Scholastic Reading Timer - Time reading minutes with an interactive stopwatch and track them on a weekly log. Plus, parents can check children’s reading activity in addition to browsing daily tips, articles and book lists.
Sylvan Book Adventure
Book Adventure is a fun, free way to motivate your child to read! Kids in grades K-8 can search for books, read them offline, come back to quiz on what they’ve read, and earn prizes for their reading success.
SYNC
Free summer audiobook program for teens 13+. SYNC 2017 will give away 30 titles - two paired audiobook downloads a week!
TD Bank
Have your child read 10 books this summer, Print and fill out the Summer Reading Form with the names of the books they've read, Take the form to the nearest TD Bank and receive $10 in a new or existing Young Saver account. (2016 info- 2017 not confirmed)
Summer Reading Lists
Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC)
The lists are full of book titles to keep children engaged in reading throughout the summer.
myOn
- 2017 Summer Reading Book List for PreK-2
- 2017 Summer Reading Book List for 3-5
- 2017 Summer Reading Book List for 6-8
Hillsborough County Public Schools (see link in Local Programs above)
Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative (see link in Local Programs above)
