Learning is not something that only takes place during the school year, but motivating students to learn during the summer months can be challenging. Joseph Addison, an English author, said this about reading: “Reading is to the mind what exercise is to the body.” Summer is filled with many physical activities, but it should also be filled with mental activities—such as reading. Developing a summer reading plan for students is instrumental in helping them exercise their minds while school is not in session. Here are some ideas to consider when developing a summer reading plan:

Choose Relevant Books

Take the time to discover what reading level your current students should be at when they enter the next grade. Based on that information, choose books that will challenge them to meet the desired level. Although they may think the books you chose are too difficult for them, they will thank you at the beginning of next school year when they are reading at a higher level.

Especially on the junior high and high school level, research what the students will be learning next year and assign books based on that. If they are going to be learning about American history, choose some books that are relevant to that topic. If their literature class focuses on British literature, choose some authors that are prevalent in that region. Your goal in choosing books should be to prepare students for next school year.

Assign Different Types of Books

The types of books that students read will largely depend on their current reading level. Early and middle elementary continue to build a strong foundation for reading; therefore, the books you choose should focus on the basics of reading. Early elementary (K-2nd) students will focus on shorter books with smaller sentences—the primary focus is phonics and the combination of sounds. Middle elementary (3rd-4th) students can handle chapter books that are a little longer—the premise being to prepare them for being able to read faster while still comprehending.

Upper elementary through high school can handle different genres of books that will expand their knowledge beyond just learning how to read. Upper elementary (5th-6th) can begin to explore different genres such as fiction, classic, and biographies. Junior high (7th-8th) and high school (9th-12th) could even add spiritual growth and personal development to their list of genres.

Assign various genres to students to help their minds develop in more than just one area. Be careful not to include too many “mindless” reads. You don’t want them to zone out while reading. Find books that will challenge their minds and force them to stay engaged in the plot in order to comprehend the theme of the book.

Create a Summer Reading Log

Keep students motivated throughout the summer by creating a reading log. In addition to the log, set goals for students to accomplish and award those who meet those goals. There are various ways you can set goals. Here are a few ways to consider:

1. Total number of pages read
2. Total number of books read (include a page count [e.g., 150-page minimum])
3. Total books read by month (June, July, August)
4. Total minutes read

Whichever way you choose, provide incentives for students who meet those goals. That could include taking them on an activity or giving them a prize (candy, gift card, etc.). If you want students to accomplish the goals you set, reward them for their hard work.

Beyond offering prizes for accomplishing the reading log, having a summer reading log accomplishes two major outcomes: consistency and accountability.

Consistency

Building consistent readers is every teacher’s desire. Students who read are students who want to read even more. There is a fountain of knowledge that comes from reading, but the problem is getting students to start reading. A summer reading log helps students start and continue reading to meet certain criteria. Once they begin to fill up the summer reading log, they will want to keep reading to add to what they started.

Accountability

The good news about the summer reading log is that students are doing it together. They have the same list of books that you’ve provided and can motivate each other to keep reading. Encourage students to meet up and read together or discuss the book after they read it. Accountability provides positive peer pressure to read.

Example Summer Reading Log

Here’s an example of what your summer reading log might look like:

Your columns may change depending on what you’re incentivizing for your program. Keep track of how long it took students to read a book. It will help you identify their approximate reading rate.

Reading Program Ideas

Maximize the value of your summer reading log by implementing different programs that motivate students to read even more—and do so in a nonconventional way! Here are two ideas that you can use to encourage more reading:

Get Caught Reading

This program doesn’t just focus on what you’re reading but where you’re reading. The objective of the program is to find the most unique places to read a book. This could be in a different state, in a tree, on a boat—the options are limitless! Have students submit pictures of where they’re reading and choose the most unique/create place as the winner.

Another option for this program is to create a bingo card with places, and students can win prizes based off getting “bingo” with the places they read. However you choose to implement this program, you are encouraging students to be intentional about where they read, and they will love the adventure!

“ABC” Summer Bucket List

Another program you can implement uses the alphabet to complete the summer reading log. Students can select books that begin with each letter of the alphabet and continue until they have completed the alphabet. That’s a total of 26 books! The intriguing part about this program is that students will hardly notice how many books they’re reading—all they want to do is get through the alphabet. This a great way to encourage reading using a method that has a definite finish line.

Suggested Summer Reading Lists

The most important part of a summer reading log is compiling a list of books to read. A great way to start the list is by finding different series of books that students can enjoy. This will keep students’ interests piqued throughout multiple books rather than just reading one book and moving on to another author. Below are samples of suggested reading lists depending on students’ reading level:

Early Elementary (K-2nd)

Middle Elementary (3rd-4th)

Upper Elementary (5th-6th)

Junior High (7th-8th)

High School (9th-12th)

If you’re looking to add books to your summer reading list, search your school’s library for resources. You may also check out your local public library to see what it offers and add books accordingly.

As you begin to prepare your summer reading lists, design your lists with your students’ current reading level and desired reading level in mind. Strive to enhance their learning during the summer by promoting a summer reading plan.

Disclaimer

The suggested summer reading lists provided are intended as general recommendations based on grade levels and reading abilities. While these books have been carefully selected for their educational value and age-appropriate content, please note that we may not fully endorse every aspect of the material. Themes, perspectives, and language may vary, and some books might not align with all educational or personal preferences. We recommend that parents, guardians, and educators review the content of each book to ensure it aligns with their values and is suitable for their students’ individual needs and maturity levels.