Summer Reading Program
Incoming 5th-8th Grade Students
Welcome to St. Joseph School’s Summer Reading Program! We are excited to continue encouraging our students to grow as readers throughout the summer months.
This school year, your child has worked very hard and made tremendous progress in reading. We would also like to thank our parents for the support you provide at home to help foster this growth and love of learning.
Why Summer Reading Matters
Educators often refer to the “Summer Slide,” which occurs when students take an extended break from academic practice and lose some of the skills they developed during the school year. Research has shown that students’ academic achievement can decline over the summer months if they are not actively engaged in reading and learning.
Continued reading during the summer helps students:
- Maintain and strengthen reading skills
- Build vocabulary and comprehension
- Increase confidence for the upcoming school year
- Develop independence and a lifelong love of reading
Summer Reading Expectations
Students entering 5th through 8th grade are required to read ONE novel from their assigned grade-level reading list.
Please Note:
- Students should only choose one book from their incoming grade’s list.
- Physical copies of books are encouraged whenever possible.
- E-books and audiobooks are also acceptable and encouraged for students who benefit from those formats.
- Students should bring a physical copy of their chosen book to school in the fall for use in a classroom project and discussion activity.
Reading Notes & Preparation
As students read over the summer, we encourage them to take notes on important story elements using:
- A notebook
- Sticky notes/Post-it notes
- Reading journals
These notes will help students organize their thoughts for the project they will complete when school resumes.
Each grade-level book list includes suggested story elements and topics students should pay attention to while reading.
Encouraging a Love of Reading
Giving students a choice in what they read helps strengthen literacy skills while also encouraging students to develop their own reading identity. Independent reading is one of the best ways to help students become confident, lifelong learners.
Families are encouraged to read alongside their child, discuss the story together, and help answer questions as they arise. These conversations are a wonderful way to support comprehension and cultivate excitement about reading.
Happy Reading!
We look forward to hearing about the novels students choose and discussing them together when we return in the fall.
— St. Joseph School 5th–8th Grade Reading Teachers