1. Plan summertime reading assignments as a culminating literacy activity for the year.

• Without summer reading, most children's reading skills deteriorate somewhat.
• Research show that children from disadvantaged backgrounds are most in need of summertime reading to maintain reading skills.
• Children who read over the summer do better in school than children who don't.

2. Involve students in picking titles for summertime reading.

• Inform students of the skills and knowledge they will need in coming year.
• Ask for suggestions.
• Use student criticism of past summer reading lists as a model.

3. Involve librarians in making summer reading assignments.

• Ask the school librarian for input.
• Consult with public librarians on local summer reading programs.
• Use the internet at the library to run computer searches of reading lists being used by other schools.

4. Involve families in making summer reading assignments.

• At parent conferences and at PTA/PTO meetings, solicit parental input on how rigorous a summer reading program parents feel is appropriate.
• Solicit parents for suggestions of genres and titles their children might enjoy.
• Work with parents to set up a recordkeeping journal for children's summer reading.

5. Avoid making reading assignments a chore.

• A summer reading program should not seem like an extension of school.
• Many families feel that it is their child's right to have time to play during the summer months.
• Reading programs that are pleasurable are more effective in motivating children to read.

6. Alert students to summertime reading activities that can be fun.

• Encourage children to read books related to fun activities such as a favorite sport or camping.
• Advertise library and community activities that will be taking place.
• Familiarize children with websites such as RIF's Reading Planet which host enjoyable reading activities.

7. Help students transition book clubs to the summer months.

• Work with students on how to continue meetings over the summer.
• Urge children to join book clubs sponsored by public libraries and many local newspapers for the summer months.
• Facilitate setting up family book clubs that might convene over the summer and during school holidays.

8. Encourage children to keep summer journals.

• Encourage children to record their thoughts and activities.
• Suggest to children that they add illustrations.
• Let children know that these journals don't have to include information about books they've read, unless they want them to.

9. Have children develop their reading goals for the summer.

• Share with children your personal literacy goals for your own summer reading.
• Ask children what personal goals they have for summertime reading.
• Work with each child to develop a realistic summer reading plan.

10. Use incentives to foster motivation for summer reading.

• Set benchmarks for reading that include a reward, such as receiving a free book.
• Make the reading program noncompetitive--let children compete against themselves.
• Work to make reading its own reward.