By Kristin Orr

As a fifth grade teacher, I am often asked by parents how to keep students engaged over the summer. That’s how I came up with this Summer Reading Calendar. In the school I work in, teachers are required to give summer homework; a brief yet meaningful assignment for both reading and math that aligns to what they’ve learned and prepares them for what’s to come. But I know not all schools give assignments like mine. Parents attitudes about summer homework can be different as well; some dread an assignment because it may mean less time enjoying the two months off, whereas others find it useful to keep their kiddos busy for a period of their day.

If your child’s school doesn’t give a homework assignment and you’re looking to keep them in school mood a tad, I’ve created an ELA (English Language Arts) calendar that both groups of parents will love! The activities can be modified for most elementary ages, but ideally works for 2nd-5th grade.

Quick tasks: Said aloud or written

They are meant to be quick tasks that I imagine can be finished over a bowl of cereal in the morning or while relaxing after an afternoon at the pool. You can be more formal with these assignments and have your child write down the responses in a journal or notebook, or you can be less formal and just discuss the activity aloud with your child. However you choose to use the activities, they’re promised to keep children engaged, learning, and actually enjoying reading during the summer!