To combat the summer slide, Provo City School District officials are sharing strategies for maintaining literacy skills during the summer break. In a recent episode of Sup with the Sup, Superintendent Wendy Dau and Continuous School Improvement Director Michelle Eldradge discussed methods to prevent the one to three months of learning loss that can occur during the summer months.
Maintaining Literacy Skills
According to Eldredge, the primary goal of summer reading is not necessarily to increase proficiency but to maintain the levels students reached by the end of the school year. She recommends that parents spend 20 minutes a day reading with their children. For students in kindergarten through third grade, listening to them read aloud is particularly important for developing fluency and comprehension.
Effective Reading Strategies
Eldredge noted that while listening to audiobooks can help build vocabulary and oral language development, students benefit significantly from interacting directly with the text. She advised parents to use the 'read, talk, and listen' approach. For older students, having conversations about what they have read remains a vital tool for engagement.
Available Community Resources
The district highlighted several resources available to Provo families. Title I schools participate in the Kids Read Now program, which provides students with self-selected books and access to an app for tracking progress and activities. Additionally, the Provo City Library offers grade-level reading lists and summer reading programs.
Finding Literacy Everywhere
For families with limited access to books, Eldredge suggested finding literacy opportunities in everyday life. This includes reading labels on food packaging, noticing letters on signs or billboards, and engaging in descriptive conversations during car rides or walks. She emphasized that these activities support oral language development regardless of whether the conversation is held in English or another language.
Creative School Initiatives
District schools are also implementing creative initiatives to promote literacy. Some elementary schools have organized summer reading kickoffs, while others have created packets with leveled practice materials or implemented summer bingo programs to encourage genre exploration. Superintendent Dau and Eldredge encouraged parents to consult with teachers, as educators can provide specific guidance based on a student's individual reading needs.
