1. Services to Schools Summer reading
The National Library is part of the Department of Internal Affairs
Image: Student at Snells Beach School,
used with permission. All rights reserved.

2. natlib.govt.nz/schools
Let’s talk about the summer slide
Significant
Socio-economic
Cumulative and long-lasting
Urgent
Making progress throughout the school year, losing ground over the summer months
natlib.govt.nz/schools

3. What the research tells us
NZ study: some students in South Auckland decile 1 school lost 5.8 months reading progress over the summer holidays
(McNaughton et al, 2012)
US Horizons National illustration of the cumulative effect of summer reading loss Video clip

4. natlib.govt.nz/schools
Our students, our school community
What do we know about:
student reading levels at end of year?
student reading levels at start of new year?
home reading practices and access to books?
family use of public library over summer?
holiday reading promotion plans at our school?
natlib.govt.nz/schools

5. natlib.govt.nz/schools
Summer reading is all about reading for pleasure
Students' own choice of books
Aim for variety of reading material
Reading a little and often each day works best
Years 7–13:
Read 6 novels over summer to maintain reading levels
Read 10 novels over summer to increase reading levels
natlib.govt.nz/schools

6. natlib.govt.nz/schools
Summer reading – taking a community approach
natlib.govt.nz/schools

7. Getting the students on board
Information about summer reading loss
Access to books, reading material
Encouragement
Challenges, goals — intrinsic rewards
Reading role models
Take home ‘kits’ for summer reading
What else?
Oromahoe School, photo used with permission
natlib.govt.nz/schools

8. natlib.govt.nz/schools
Teachers — preparation
promotion and practice
In classes with lower summer reading loss, teachers:
give students ideas about reading over summer
help students choose suitable books
encourage use of the library over the summer
prepare students around reading strategies, metacognition, engagement
share information with parents.
natlib.govt.nz/schools

9. Student reading, Ahipara School, photo used with permission
School library – books enthusiasm and expertise!
Extend loan limits for generous borrowing
Promotion – booktalks, reviews, displays, booklists…
Help students and parents choose books
Encourage participation in public library programmes
Manage library routines e.g. stocktaking to ensure library open at end of year for summer lending
Student reading, Ahipara School, photo used with permission
natlib.govt.nz/schools

10. Children's Library by Janelle, https://flic.kr/p/9t7b3Y
Connecting with the public library
What public library services are available for students / families? Who does the school liaise with?
How many students use the public library?
How can we help students connect with public library programmes?
What ways can teachers model using the public library?
Children's Library by Janelle,
Some rights reserved 
natlib.govt.nz/schools

11. Reading to the kids, by nedradlo https://flic.kr/p/64w9xb
How can we help families/whānau
Provide guidelines around:
making time for reading – “little and often”
helping their children choose “just right books”
keeping reading enjoyable
how to listen to children read
being a reading role model
where to get books from
power of reading aloud
Reading to the kids, by nedradlo
Some rights reserved
natlib.govt.nz/schools

12. Teachers reading children’s / YA books over summer
Teacher at Ahipara School reading, photo used with permission
natlib.govt.nz/schools

13. What summer reading initiatives can we plan for our school?
Evidence for Practice
Eg McNaughton research, in-school data…
Evidence of Practice
Evidence in Practice
1. In-school initiative Student learning need/objective identified eg Maintain student reading over summer
5. Sustainability Successful initiatives become “how we do things” in our school
4. Implementation Initiative trialled with small group of students Student learning outcome/s discussed with Principal/staff
2. Planning Collaborative plan to trial initiative to maintain reading
3. Development
Resources put in place
for trial

14. https://natlib.govt.nz/schools/reading-engagement/summer-reading
Services to Schools’
summer reading guide