The “Summer Dip”, or “Summer Slide”, is the term we use to refer to learning lost over the long summer break. It is a phenomenon almost every teacher, and many a parent, will be well aware of. However, I wondered if everyone knew that they knew that they could “beat the dip” by reading a few books?
Reading is at the heart of our curriculum and forms the main focus of our homework expectations. As a reminder, KS1 pupils should be reading/ sharing books for 15 minutes per day (5 times a week), Y3/4 pupils should be reading to an adult/ reading independently for 20 mins per day (5 times a week) and Y5/6 pupils should be reading independently and sometimes to adults for 30 minutes a day (5 times a week).
Why read?
- Every book will teach you something – whether it is something about the world you live in, about you as a person, or just about the kind of books you do or don’t enjoy;
- Books give you access to emotions and experiences you’ve never had – so, you can go places you’ve never gone, and be people you’ll never be;
- Reading makes you smarter.
Summer Homework
There are a number of challenges to take part in this summer but the bottom line is to read six age/ability appropriate books over the six week break. Your teachers will share personalised class tasks with your child's school report. But here are a few ideas to get you started:
Local Libraries
Grantham
Taking part in the Challenge is simple – when your summer holidays start, you can sign up for free at your local Better library.
You’ll receive your very own Ready, Set, Read! Scorecard to get you started.
Read six library books (or more!) over the holidays to collect special stickers to add to your scorecard.
They can be any books you like - novels, fact books, joke books, e-books or audio books, they all count. Library staff and volunteers are on hand to help you choose books that you will really enjoy.
Collect all the stickers to find the golden books, navigate the obstacle course and complete the Challenge.
Grab your trainers and run to the library this summer!
Sleaford
Read Your Way To A Free Swim!
Does your child love to read?
How about swimming?
If your answer is yes to one or both then you’ll love our ‘Read Your Way to a Free Swim’ offer.
Help your child complete the Summer Reading Challenge at Sleaford Library this summer and along with receiving prizes for every 2 books read, your child will also get a special certificate that they can use to claim a free swim at Sleaford Leisure Centre.
Sign up for the challenge from the 9th of July and pledge to read 6 books over the summer holidays. For every 2 books read visit the library to collect your child’s prizes. After reading 6 books your child will be awarded a medal and their swimming voucher.
The Summer Reading Challenge runs until the 10th September 2022 and is for children aged 4-11. The scheme combines FREE access to books with FREE fun activities at Sleaford Library during the summer holidays. There is also a FREE mini challenge so younger siblings can get involved too.
For more information just talk to a member of our team or email us on Sleaford.Library@GLL.ORG
KS2 Free subscription to First News Online
As subscribers, we have secured 2 months of free online subscription to First News.
The Reading Shed
A small outdoor storage cupboard will be set up outside the gate with access to magazines, newspapers and books to swap over summer.
Keeping up with phonics
You may get a QR code that gives your child access to short phonics lessons to keep up their skills over the summer. These are only about 5 minutes.
KS1 Reading Ideas
KS2 Reading Ideas
See your homework packs with your reports.