Plainfield Public Schools is excited to present our recommended summer reading list for elementary students. After a year of hard work, it's crucial to maintain your child's reading levels to prevent the "summer slide." Your support is vital in ensuring this doesn't happen. Encouraging your child to read for just 20 minutes every day can have a significant impact on their success in the coming year.

Our goal is to make this summer a time for your child to fall in love with reading. The Plainfield summer reading list offers a variety of options, including fiction, non-fiction, informational texts, and how-to books. These can be in hard copy or eBook format. While we provide a suggested list, your children are welcome to choose other books with approval. 

We also have a fun Flipgrid activity at the end of each reading list. Your child can create a video response to one of the books they read and enjoy watching videos from other students.

Here are some tips to make reading a fun part of your summer:

1. Library Card: Ensure your child has a library card. Many books are available digitally through the Plainfield Public Library. Sign up for a card online at the Plainfield Public Library website: Circulation Department - Plainfield Public Library (plainfieldlibrary.info)

2. Audiobooks: If you spend a lot of time in the car or at home, borrow audiobooks from the library and listen together. This can support language development and help children with learning disabilities enjoy stories. 

3. Reading Routine: Incorporate reading into the summer routine. If it competes with TV or video games, try swapping 20-30 minutes of reading for 20-30 minutes of screen time.

4. Lead by Example:  Make reading part of your summer routine. Children are likelier to become lifelong readers if they see family members reading. Create a cozy reading nook at home if possible.

5. Engage in Discussions: Ask your child questions about what they read. Discussing books, answering questions, and retelling stories helps develop comprehension skills. 

6. Choosing the Right Books:  Ensure your child reads books that are at an appropriate level. Have them read a random page (not the first) and see if they can read smoothly and understand it. The book might be too challenging if they make five or more errors. 

7. Summer Fun Journal: Combine summer activities with writing. Let your child decorate a notebook with a summer theme and write about their experiences, whether gardening, cooking, or taking nature walks. 

The key to successful summer reading is making it enjoyable. Turn the library into a fun outing, make reading a game, and integrate literacy with activities your child loves to foster a lifelong love of reading.

Happy Reading!