Information for Parent of Students Going into 1st through 5th grade(2020)

This summer, help your child fall in love with reading!

Reading is EVERYWHERE! This summer students going into 1st to 5th Grade have the opportunity to participate in Merchantville School's SUMMER READING CHALLENGE! 

Each student going into 1st to 5th was given a Summer Reading Tracker along with a list of "reading challenges" they can use for ideas to growth their love of reading. 
(Click here for a copy)
When we return to school in September (or when you've completed the challenge) take a picture and share it with us on our 
GoogleDrive: ElemSummerReading@merchantville.k12.nj.us
Please submit by Friday, September 11th to win a prize!
(Unfortunately no paper copies will be accepted this year)



Not sure what you want your child to read? 
Check out these suggestions 
and get started!

Scholastic Suggested Book Lists
PreK-K | Grades 1-2 | Grades 3-5 | Grades 6-8
 2017 All Ages List

Popular Book Lists
 Barnes & Nobel Ages 3-5 | Barnes & Noble Ages 6-8
Barnes & Noble Ages 9-12 | Amazon All Ages 

Merchantville Teacher Compiled Lists
Grades K-2 | Grades 3-4 | Grades 5-6

Why is summer reading so important?

Have you heard of the "Summer Slide"? Research has shown that over the summer, students who stop reading can lose up to two months of reading achievement. Due to the summer slide, some students start the new school year behind where they finished the last year. Reading during the summer can help prevent this and even help your child improve reading levels!

What can I do?

Help find books your child wants to read. Let your child choose books that he or she is interested in. Forcing someone through a book they do not like can cause a child to dislike reading. Help them find books they are interested in that are the right level for them.

Read with your child. Emilie Buchwald is credited with the famous quote, “Children are made readers on the laps of their parents.”  Hearing books read aloud helps children build vocabulary and listening skills. Reading books together also lets you have discussions about the books with your child.  As you're reading, ask what he or she thinks might happen next, what a certain character is might do, what your child would do, etc. Talking about books helps build a bond in your family and helps your child with their reading.

Encourage your child to read! Encourage them to read and fill in the Merchantville Summer Reading Tracker so that they start the year off on the right foot with a prize.