“There are perhaps no days of our childhood we lived so fully as those we spent with a favorite book.” Marcel Proust
According to the American Library Association, summer reading programs encourage students to develop a lifelong habit of reading. Reading over the summer helps students keep their skills sharp and generates interest in books and the library. Even reluctant readers can be drawn into reading over the summer by reading books they choose and at their leisure.
Here at BTA, we know the importance of summer reading and encourage all of our students to do so. When students participate in summer reading, they avoid the “summer slide,” the loss of academic skills that occurs when school is not in session which is attributed largely to the lack of reading. Students in Grades 4 – 8 receive guidelines from their teachers in regards to reading, but are urged to read above and beyond the requirements.
A great way to encourage summer reading at your school is to offer an incentive program. At BTA we participate in the Scholastic Summer Read-A-Palooza, which allows students a way to track their minutes. Last year our students read over 72,000 minutes! The Scholastic program unites students and communities nationwide virtually to keep track of books that they’re reading. Students track their reading streaks and earn virtual rewards and unlock book donations, with the goal of Scholastic donating 100,000 books. Some of the incentives BTA has offered are dress down days, bookmarks, a free ice cream at lunch, and a raffle to win an Amazon Kindle.
There is still time to encourage your children to read this summer. If you are looking for some grade level appropriate book selections for your 4th through 8th grade child, check out some of the titles our BTA students are reading this summer.
By Julie Mitchell
Blessed Trinity Academy 1st Grade Teacher
4th Grade Reading List
5th Grade Reading List
6th Grade Reading List
7th Grade Reading List
8th Grade Reading List
Catholic School Classrooms at Work 