Summer Learning for Teens
Did you know that two-thirds of the academic achievement gap between disadvantaged students and their higher-achieving peers is attributable to how they spend their summers? Learning shouldn't stop when school is out, so we offer you a veritable beach bag of ideas to help keep students engaged and challenged during the summertime.
Tell us how you used our "beach bag" of resources and you'll be entered to win a selection of new young adult book titles in AdLit.org's summer reading book giveaway. Submit your ideas by selecting "Summer Reading" from the "subject" drop-down menu. Enter by June 30 to be eligible for the giveaway.
Tips for Parents
- You know that reading is important, and you want to make sure that your teenager grows into adulthood with all the skills he or she needs to succeed. This list suggests ways to encourage your teens to read.
- Use this checklist from the Center for Summer Learning to identify high-quality summer learning programs.
- Audiobooks are a great alternative to summer reading, especially for children who read slowly. Download free and low-priced audiobooks from Librivox and AudibleKids.
- Check out YALSA's Quick Picks for Reluctant Young Adult Readers, an annual list of books of interest reluctant readers ages 12-18.
Write On!
- Arrange for your students to blog in a safe, closed community. Edublogs offers teachers and students free blog space and appropriate security. Students will need an e-mail address in order to create an account. Free, disposable e-mail accounts are available at Mailinator. Students can create an account there, use the address long enough to establish the blog and password, and then abandon the e-mail account.
- Lots of publishers offer free books and advance reader's copies just for telling them what you think. Check out these opportunities for teens to read and write book reviews.
Resources to Share with Teens
- Parent-Teen online magazine has some great ideas for summer activities that can help teens get into college. Examples include doing independent study with the supervision of a mentor and pursuing enrichment opportunities on local college campuses.
- Encourage teens to read the books nominated as a favorite book of 2008, so teens can vote online for their favorites during Teen Read Week in October. The ten titles with the most votes become YALSA's official 2008 Teen's Top Ten List.
- These resources from College Board remind teens that summer school isn't just for kids who need to catch up. Summer school can give teens a chance to pursue their interests, to try some hands-on activities outside the classroom, or to try a college-level course.
Reading Incentive Programs
- Harper Collins Reading Warriors
The Reading Warriors Summer Reading Challenge is rooted in the legends and adventures of the feline characters in Erin Hunter's bestselling Warriors series. The Challenge includes reading lists, games, and tips for reading mentors.
- Major League Soccer Summer Reading Challenge
Major League Soccer is sponsoring a reading challenge for students up to Grade 8. Check out their reading lists and complete your reading log, and you just might win a trip to the 2008 MLS All-Star Game or a session at the David Beckham Academy.
Beyond Reading and Writing
- Kids who participate in community service activities develop new skills, along with self-confidence and self-esteem. Youth Service America offers 100 Ways to Make a Difference in Your Community.
- Promote healthy and balanced media use at home during the summer. The PACT from the National PTA can help kids and parents reach good screen-time compromises.
AdLit.org's Video Interview with Kadir Nelson
Illustrator/Author Kadir Nelson received a 2007 Caldecott Honor for his evocative illustrations in Moses: When Harriet Tubman Led Her People to Freedom. In 2008 he won a second Caldecott Honor for his artwork in Henry's Freedom Box: A True Story from the Underground Railroad. His most recent book is We are the Ship: The Story of Negro Baseball.
In our exclusive interview, Nelson talks about his career as an illustrator and why it took seven years to complete his most recent book.
Survey Redux
The International Reading Association (IRA) recently published results of its annual survey on the hottest topics in literacy. Twenty-five literacy leaders — including many university researchers — were asked to review the prior year's survey results and rate each topic as "hot" or "not hot," and then note whether each topic "should be hot" or "should not be hot."
We're curious to know what our readers think is hot, or not. Please take a moment to complete our survey. We look forward to sharing the results with you soon.
Take the survey>>
Book Recommendations: Hot Summer Reads
What do you plan to do this summer? Whether it's taking trips, visiting family, or hanging out at home, wherever you go and whatever you do, be sure to take along a book or two.
May we make a few suggestions? Our Hot Summer Reads book list includes some romance, some sports, some travel, and even a little gore.
Read more >>
AdLit.org Featured Partner: The Center for Summer Learning
The Center for Summer Learning's mission is to create opportunities for high-quality summer learning. Based at Johns Hopkins University, the Center is committed to expanding summer learning for disadvantaged youth to close the achievement gap and promote healthy youth development.
The Center works to:
- Improve the quality and availability of summer programs by providing professional development and evaluation services to providers.
- Build awareness and support for high-quality summer learning programs through outreach and communications.
- Generate increased public investment in summer programs for young people in high-poverty communities.
