Summer Plan for Struggling Readers
I know many parents and educators don’t say “struggling” reader. Instead, we make it a little better by saying “striving” reader. But, the truth is, some kids are really STRUGGLING! Using a different word doesn’t take away the shame, frustration, and anxiety caused by not being able to read and spell. We all want to help these kids. Today, let’s tackle a plan on how to keep these students progressing over the summer while still giving them time to be a relaxed, happy kid!
I was the parent of a STRUGGLING reader. I wanted nothing more than to let my daughter forget all things school related over the summer. I wanted to see her confidence and spark return.
The problem is that summer slide is real! Summer slide is the term educators use when talking about the loss of academic ability students display after not being in school for 2-3 months during summer break. The summer slide is measured by comparing a student’s spring standardized test scores and that same student’s fall scores.
ON AVERAGE, CHILDREN ARE SET BACK 25% IN READING EACH SUMMER.
-U.S. DEPARTMENT OF EDUCATION
Our students who are already behind cannot afford this kind of loss. It will only make back-to-school and the next grade more difficult.
This plan is designed to be the balance. I hope it helps.
Have fun, stress-free days where no academic pressure is present.
I recommend taking two days a week completely off. Have your child help you decide which days these will be. Choice is motivating.
These “off days” give your child a chance to do activities that they love and excel at. It gives them a chance to be creative, silly, and carefree. It also gives you a break from orchestrating learning and the ability to have pressure-free, guilt-free days (speaking from experience here… parents need a break too).
Create a Summer Learning Calendar with your child so they know exactly what to expect! Some kids benefit with taking a full week off to celebrate summer. Others benefit from the routine being established right from the beginning. You can determine what’s best for your child!
Continue systematic, targeted instruction!
Breaks are great, but the truth is, your child needs to continue engaging in literacy activities and learning. Short, frequent learning blocks are best. Two 30 minute blocks, 5 days a week is ideal. One 60 minute block is fine for older students. Of course this depends on the age and attention span of your child. It also depends on your family schedule. Less intensive, more frequent learning sessions are better than cramming it all into a day or two.
Let your child in on the purpose and importance of continuing to learn over the summer. Set goals and create incentives. The more motivated and invested your child is, the more they will learn.
If at all possible, meet your child’s teacher before the end of the year and make a solid summer plan. Ask for recent data and current learning goals. Ask for a priority list and resources that will be consistent with what your child has been working on in school. You don’t want to start a “new” program in the summer that is vastly different than effective methods/resources currently being used in school. However, make sure that what is being done at school is research-based, systematic, structured literacy. If you need help knowing the difference, read this.
If at all possible, find a structured literacy tutor to work with your child twice a week.
A highly qualified tutor can make all the difference. He/she can use your child’s data to create a personalized, targeted plan to offer real remediation.
Many communities and school districts have summer reading resources and tutor lists. Some are subsidized or free! It’s definitely worth exploring. This Tutor Interview Guide will help you choose a qualified tutor.
Tutoring sessions are typically scheduled once or twice a week. This is not going to be enough to make real progress. However, ask that the tutor give “homework” or practice that you and your child can work on in between sessions. I love using a points system to incentivize this extra effort. Take a look at the Points for Prizes Template I used for tutoring. Adopt it any way that works for you!
We have a list of our favorite structured literacy tutors in Northern Colorado. Reach out for the list here.
Don’t underestimate the power of play!
Literacy work doesn’t need to be work. Find literacy games, fun videos, and high-interest books and activities. Let your child’s interests take the lead. If your son loves space, read, write, and spell all things space! School can’t (and shouldn’t) follow the interests of individual students, but summer learning can!
This is a great time for practice, review, and gaining mastery and confidence. Review concepts that your has child learned but didn’t quite master with games. Get siblings and friends to join in!
We love Kindore Learning for phonics-based card games and Reading Rev’s Favorite Online Link List for engaging videos and review activities for intermediate students.
Make reading and learning enjoyable again!
Read all about our tried-and-true tips that make summer reading enjoyable for all kids here.
Sneak Peak:
Create opportunities and times that your child will want to read. Look at Grade Level MUST Read Lists, Community Incentive Programs, & Challenges…
Read along side your child. Model reading. Find the perfect read aloud and head to the tree house (or trampoline, or blanket under a tree)…
It’s not all about books! Recipes, instructions, song lyrics, and cereal boxes all count…
Make literacy social. It’s never too early to start a book club…
CHOICE builds motivation. Let your child lead the way…
Remember, your child has worked HARD all year. Give empathy, encouragement, and support while also setting firm boundaries and expectations about summer learning. Your child may not have the maturity to understand the importance of avoiding summer slide and catching up over the summer, but it is the perfect time for remediation. These couple of months can be fun, relaxing, and purposeful!
I’d love to hear how your summer goes and any other tips you have for parents of other striving readers.
~Bri
