Chicago is famously known for its “summer-time-chi vibes”. Summer brings up thoughts about vacation, relaxing, and, for some, anxiety about what to do with the kiddos for those months. However, the parents whose children are most successful and read either on or above grade level see the summer time as an opportunity to help their child read on grade level (or above). In this blog, I will tell you the three things you can do this summer to help your child read on grade level.
1. Create a consistent structure and stick to it.
Children who know how to contribute to their household will contribute to the classroom and develop responsibility for their academic success.
Gabriell Gaiter
There is a stark difference between children who had structure over the summer versus those who didn’t. Structure doesn’t mean every hour is accounted for; it means that children have a consistent expectation or responsibility and are held accountable. Those students with a consistent structure jump back into class routines and start the school year at a head start, while those who didn’t are dragging, complaining, and squandering the first few weeks of the school year. Students who don’t maximize their time in the classroom will inevitably drop their grade level and reading potential.
There are ways to create a structure even if you don’t enroll your child in a summer program. There still needs to be household structures and accountability in place, even if your child is in a summer program. They should see themselves as contributing members of the household instead of resource-absorbing members. This will help create boundaries for you as a parent, build accountability (which will show in their school performance), and encourage responsibility.
This ties back to reading because children familiar with and have developed these skills (accountability and responsibility) will develop accountability as a reader and be responsible in class to comprehend the lesson. If they need help understanding, they will feel accountable for the information and more empowered to ask questions when they need help.
Try this to help create a structure at home:
- Create a consistent list of chores for them to complete daily- without being tied to an incentive (So children are motivated because it is their responsibility if you incentivize them, then they are only motivated by their own personal gain instead of contributing to the household)
- You could also do a chore-themed day- Mondays, move things around and dust, Tuesdays-Take out the trash, Wednesdays- wash your clothes, etc.
- Creating a routine around contributing– EX: after we eat, help with the dishes or help prep dinner, etc.
- Leaving a list of chores with them or their babysitter (based on what they are capable of doing)
- Empowering them to cook for you (even if it is nasty, celebrate the attempt)
There are many ways to create a structure, but they should all revolve around contributing to the household. This will be hard if they aren’t used to it at first; if they contest, keep it consistent, and eventually, they will get used to it. Children who know how to contribute to their household will contribute to the classroom and develop responsibility for their academic success.
2. Enroll them in some formal academic instruction.
If your child is not reading on grade level and then spends three months not doing formal instruction, they will not be prepared for the next grade. They will decline and be worse off. Students who perform the best in class receive formal academic instruction outside the classroom. The word “formal” means taught by a professional.
I see many parents who aren’t teachers attempting to teach their children, and many times, it doesn’t work well because they aren’t trained in the profession; it takes time and skill to teach children. (I wouldn’t trust myself to fix my own car) So, I encourage you to seek professional help, especially if your child is not reading on grade level. Many summer programs pack their schedules with fun and learning opportunities but ask the staff what formal academic training they have.
Formal academic instruction options:
- Tutoring with the Innovative Learners
- Our staff are experienced, licensed teachers; we will help your child reach their reading goals by implementing our culturally relevant curriculum that is engaging and tailored to their needs. We are also 100% virtual, so if you plan to move around this summer, your child can log on no matter what time zone you’re in! Click here if you want to sign your child up for the summer.
- Summer school at your child’s school
- You still need to be careful with this one and ask who will be teaching your child. I had a teacher friend who was a 6th-grade math teacher who was assigned to teach a 1st-grade reading class. (This was not her subject.) Remember, summer school for teachers is optional, and schools work with the teachers who sign up, so it isn’t guaranteed that a reading teacher will be working with your child.
- Reading programs offered at universities
- Some schools, like the University of Illinois in Champaign, host academic programs and workshops for younger students. Last summer, I taught a writing workshop for juniors to help them improve their writing.
Overall, the best option is to pair your child with a tutor. Innovative Learners is one of the best tutoring programs because of the quality of tutors and the results our parents receive. Check out our reviews on Google, or click here to hear some of our parents’ testimonials. Or watch the clip below.
We offer a consistent tutoring schedule for your child, so all you have to do is ensure they log on. Give us 12 weeks (one summer), and your child will improve at least three grade levels. Click here to learn more about the benefits of our tutoring program.
Help your child develop a positive relationship with books.
Start where they are currently, not where you want them to be.
Gabriell Gaiter
Many parents think if their child is reading below grade level, they should buy them more books! Not exactly. If you were not into working out, would it make sense to buy more weights? You must develop the relationship around learning and reading to begin improving. Here are three things you can do to fix your child’s relationships with books:
- Find out what your child likes, who they admire, and what they’re curious about, and RENT books around that.
- (This means weekly trips to the library) I encourage you to rent because I hate wasting money (you’ll most likely be experimenting with which books they like); your child’s curiosity and interests will change frequently; it saves the planet, and it will support your local library!
- If your child doesn’t “like anything,” find out the latest movie or show they watched and find a book about it—or vice versa. Movies are a good way to introduce a child to a new book (check out child-appropriate Marvel comics).
- Start where they are currently, not where you want them to be. If your child is a reluctant reader, focus on picture books and grow from there. Don’t expect them to read a chapter book because you bought it for them.
- Introduce them to a series. I love a good series. A series creates a buy-in for your child because they’ll be hooked and want to know what happens next.
- The series of unfortunate events was a good one for me. It starts off by saying, “You shouldn’t read this book,” and of course, that made me want to read it more!
To help your child read on grade level, you need to start internally. With how they see themselves and how they value their learning or making sure they know the importance of it. If your child doesn’t have accountability, responsibility, a formal academic instructor, or a good relationship with books, use this summer to change it! It only takes 21 days to make something a habit. Try picking one of these to focus on each month and build from there. I would love to hear how it goes for you! Please send me an email @ contact@theinnovativelearners.com.
Check out our latest podcast episode below!
The Unfiltered Truth about Athletic Scholarships and how to secure one for your child – Raising Readers
- The Unfiltered Truth about Athletic Scholarships and how to secure one for your child
- How to create a village of advocates to help support you and your child.
- How to navigate IEP's and advocate for neurodiverse readers and thinkers.
- How to raise readers while making time for yourself
- Diverse Books: Which books actually help?
