In a “normal” year, summer reading is critical for students to retain knowledge and skills learned in the previous year as well as grow in critical thinking skills for the coming year. A University of Tennessee research study shows that children who don’t read over the summer experience the “summer slide” of losing at least two months of reading development and are at risk of falling behind their classmates. Pre-pandemic research suggest that two-thirds of the reading achievement gap (I say “opportunity gap”) between high-low socioeconomic statuses in 9th graders can be explained by unequal access to summer learning opportunities during elementary school, and one-third of the gap is present before students begin school. On the other hand, students who read over the summer may gain a month of proficiency in reading.
A recent student at Stanford Graduate School of Education provides new evidence about the pandemic’s impact on learning among students in the earliest grades, showing distinct changes in growth of basic reading skills during different time periods over the past year. 2nd and 3rd graders were most affected, the study found. Overall, students’ reading fluency in 2nd and 3rd grade is now approximately 30% behind what would be expected in a typical year.
Reading is so crucial because it is a key that opens all of the doors of academic skills across all disciplines. It is understood that if a child can’t read effectively by third grade or so, they’re unlikely to be able to access content in their other courses.
We are proud to continue to partner with Summer Camp Reading to help bridge the opportunity gap for children in our community! Can you spend a few hours during the morning to work with 2nd and 3rd grade students? No special skills are needed as games and activities are provided, just a desire to help children who need critical extra attention and encouragement to improve reading proficiency. The camp runs weekday mornings from June 14 – July 23 at Wesley Chapel Mission Center in Over-the-Rhine. You can sign up for a 2-hour time slot (8:00-10:00am or 9:45am-12:00pm) and work with other volunteers and paid staff. You are encouraged to pick a day a week, serve one full week, or choose dates that work for you throughout the 6 weeks. Strict safety protocols will be in place.
For more information and to sign up, please visit hydeparkchurch.org and click the Summer Camp Reading rotating banner on the homepage. For any questions, please contact Karen Bruner at chatbru82@gmail.com or 513-787-3549 or me at ksmith@hpcumc.org or 513-871-1345.
Peace,
Pastor Kate