A retired teacher’s advice on summer reading

Dear Editor,

This is in response to Dr. Linda Silbert’s latest, and ever-interesting article: “Should summer be for reading or fun?” (June 4, Page 25).

As a retired teacher, I always find Dr. Linda’s articles to be full of interesting, useful information, and/or advice. In this article, a concerned father of a soon-to-be former second-grader was trying to decide if the son should be sent to a special "reading camp” or attend a standard “fun day camp” because his son struggled to read on grade level. Dr. Linda provided at least three positive options for the parents.

As an elementary teacher, I often taught third, fourth and/or fifth grade. These are crucial years in grammar school because students are generally transitioning from "learning to read” to the middle years, when students begin to concentrate on “reading to learn." This transition is also usually when they begin to read silently to themselves. But if students function well below their grade level, reading often becomes more of a struggle and a chore.

I’m an avid bibliophile, so I loved to read aloud to my students virtually every day. I used to read with as much intonation as possible, use different voices, accents, humor, and so forth. As I read, I realized that the students who struggled to read spent so much time on monotonal mechanics that they never got to hear those different accents, tone, humor, and so forth, that made reading a joy and treasure.

I made it my mission to always incorporate a book within whatever subject matter we were currently studying. So, if we had a unit on plants, I often read "The Plant That Ate Dirty Socks." When we studied life science, I used to read "How to Eat Fried Worms." As anticipated, those same struggling kids, often boys, would eagerly sign out those books from our class library after I’d moved on because now they could recognize all that detail, innuendo, and the fun.

So, if I may, respectfully, suggest a possible fourth option for this father and son: why not consider both? If agreed upon by your family, let your son attend regular day camp. Then, after camp, evenings, and/or weekends, explore all the enjoyable (often free) reading activities to be had; make it a family routine and adventure. Sign up for free library storytime activities, and/or their kids’ book clubs. Create a special daily reading ritual. Either read aloud together, perhaps taking turns by the page; or each with your own separate books/magazines, but everyone sharing the reading space. Maybe, at the end of that time, share a bit of each story. Even play some word games like Scrabble or Boggle (they make junior versions).

Bedtime is always a classic favorite time for reading. Try to include audiobooks so your son can hear those aforementioned tones and accents. It can be especially fun to listen while taking any car trips, whether to the grocery store or on a long road trip.

Although your son may have a favorite genre, try to select something different every once in a while, just to introduce a fresh idea. If your son enjoys a particular author, expresses interest in a certain topic or geographic region, follow up with some other books/magazines that emphasize these topics.

Celebrate our country’s 250th birthday by reading author Jean Fritz’s children’s biographical series pertaining to our country’s founding fathers.

Last, but not least, buy a real (paper) magazine subscription for your son to enjoy receiving at home. If still available, I highly recommend: Cobblestone, Highlights, Ranger Rick and Stone Soup, among others.

Also, when using a recipe to cook family meals, encourage your son to read each step out loud. That combines reading with a slew of other important skills. Yummy meals are the reward.

Good luck, have a pleasant summer and happy reading.

-Leslie Kaminsky, Mahopac