Summer Reading

Dear Colearn Families,

Did you know that students who read during the summer gain an average of 1 month of reading proficiency? Students who don’t read over the summer, can lose an average of 2-3 months proficiency. YIKES! Over time, those lost months can add up to years. By high school, 2/3 of the reading achievement gap can be attributed to summer learning loss during the elementary years.

I am Courtney Cullen, one of the Colearn K-5 Education Specialists. I have been teaching for 11 years and for the past 2 years I've also been homeschooling my four kiddos. Over the years of my teaching career, and as a homeschooling parent, I have seen how important reading is in every area of a child's education. I believe that reading is the foundation of learning!

So, let’s read together this summer! Here are some grade level lists that can be helpful as you choose some books to read to keep your brain sharp and growing!

First Grade

Second Grade

Third Grade

Fourth Grade

Fifth Grade

Do your kiddos need motivation to keep turning those pages over the summer? I’ve found that there are always fun summer reading challenges and activities that can help them keep reading over the summer! These are a few that I suggest:

Barnes and Noble has a summer reading program for 1st-6th graders. Keep a short reading journal for eight books you read, bring it in, and you’ll earn a free book from their list.

Here is a fun Reading Scavenger Hunt Map that you can print out and check off as you complete it.

Arizona families: The Pima County Library has a fun summer reading program. Click here to learn more about it. You can earn free books and prizes as you read throughout the summer! Stop by the library to pick up your free reading tracker.

Do you love pizza? How about free pizza?! Click here to sign up for Camp Book It and you can get a free personal pizza from Pizza hut.

I hope you all have a wonderful summer and happy reading!

Courtney Cullen, Colearn Educator

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