Reading can be one of the many pleasures of summer and an important part of furthering literacy development. Studies show that students who read more, read better; they also write better, spell better, have larger vocabularies, and have better control of complex grammatical constructions (Krashen, 2009). Giving students of all grade levels access to books and providing successful reading experiences over the summer are critical to sustaining the momentum and confidence students have gained in literacy during the school year. It can also help to prevent what is known as the “summer slide” – the loss of literacy skills during the summer months, that when compounded over time, can cause students to fall behind.
School libraries at Rosa Parks and Berkeley Arts Magnet will be staffed to make sure BEARS students participating in the program at the two schools over the summer have easy access to books.
To make it easy to come upon “just right books” for readers, this leveled book list corresponds to reading levels used in our K-5 schools. (Current K-5 reading levels can be found on the year-end report card.)
Parents of elementary school students might like to use these reading lists, developed by the Emerson Librarian, Mary Ann Scheuer. Lists are organized by the grade students have just left, using the reading levels students have mastered – the same levels that are on report cards.
Kindergarten summer reading 2013
1st grade summer reading 2013
2nd grade summer reading 2013
3rd grade summer reading 2013
4th grade summer reading 2013
5th grade summer reading 2013
The summer library reading game sponsored by the Berkeley Public Library can be a great way to keep children engaged throughout the summer. It includes a volunteer component for students in grades 6-8.
Reading suggestions for teens are organized by tabs on the top of this webpage by the Berkeley Public Library.
Have fun reading and sharing books together!