For some children, summer vacation is a time to relax, play and leave behind anything remotely resembling school, including books — something that makes teachers and administrators cringe come fall.
Students can lose a month or two of reading progress over the summer, with beginning readers and those who struggle at an even greater risk of falling behind, said Lynne Greenwood, elementary language arts and reading specialist for the Utah State Office of Education.
"Some of our students can lose up to a year's progress over the summer without any engagement in reading," she said. "Reading is a skill, just like playing the piano. It requires practice. That practice is important to help students of all ability levels maintain their reading skills."
The importance of reading during the summer months has prompted a number of schools, libraries and bookstores to offer summer programs.
Students at Crescent Elementary School were invited to bring their parents to a special "Summer Reading — Some Are Not" assembly earlier this month that focused on keeping kids reading books during the summer.
"The idea of this program is spun out of the idea that students who read do better in school," Crescent Elementary School principal Janette Milano told children and parents.
The school brought in local celebrities to talk about why reading is important and to read to the students.
"Reading is very, very important. I remember my first favorite book I read over the summer," said Sandy Mayor Tom Dolan. "This is far more important than your kids sitting in front of a computer."
"We want good readers. We know how important it is," said Jordan School Board member Ellen Wallace.
"I think reading actually shows we love our children, when we read to them," said DARE officer Ben Derrick.
While students who don't pick up a book all summer can suffer, kids who do can get ahead.
"If you want to make achievement gains, there's that ideal time," Greenwood said. "Too often we don't think of it like that."
According to a National Center for Education Statistics study, fourth-graders who read "for fun" every day scored higher on reading assessment tests taken between 1992 and 2000 than those kids who didn't.
Greenwood said every student should read a minimum of 20 minutes a day. For those in second grade, the suggested time frame is 20 to 30 minutes. For third-, fourth- and fifth-graders, 30 to 60 minutes a night is recommended. Older students should read at least an hour each day.
"We find it's very, very important. Plus we find it's a wonderful time for students to read some of those books that would engage them," she said. "Hopefully, summer reading programs and parents will engage their children about a special book so that they'll want to read it and find the joy of reading."
Although not a comprehensive list, here are some local reading programs for kids:
The Salt Lake County Fair is sponsoring a "Read and Win" program this summer where kids in first through fourth grades who read during the summer are awarded at the fair in August.
Children need to check out a library book, read it and return it before the fair starts and then have their librarians sign their contest forms. During the fair's run from Aug. 13-16, they can turn in their forms to the information booth for a ribbon and special award. Forms will be available at www.countyfair.slco.org under "What's New" or "Kids Involvement" links or by calling 483-5473.
In Salt Lake City School District, Washington Elementary is collaborating with Lincoln Elementary to target students who need extra support in math and reading. At Bonneville Elementary, the school is holding a reading class during summer school, which runs June 9 through July 3.
King's English Book Shop is continuing its summer book club for children in kindergarten though eighth grade. Children are grouped according to age and meet once each week to read books together, complete activities, discuss what they have read and act it out. The club runs June 17 through July 16 and costs $30.
"Laugh It Up" is the theme of this year's summer youth reading program for tots through teenagers in the Salt Lake County Library System.
This free program runs from June 2-Aug. 15 and will reward steady readers with prizes, including toys, books, fast-food coupons and Jazz tickets. Last year's event attracted 16,000 readers, and at least that many are expected this season.
Registration forms and guidelines are available at any Salt Lake County Library.
The Salt Lake City Library System will offer a "Stereophonic Summer for Teens" this year. This reading-oriented program begins with a "Battle of the Bands" on Saturday, May 31, from 6-11 p.m. at the Main Library, 210 E. 400 South, with 13 bands.
All teens have to do to participate is pick up a punch card at any city library. Teens earn punches by reading books, attending library events, being creative and writing poems, songs or short stories, making a film, creating art or by volunteering or being an activist in community events.
For every four punches received teens will get prizes, as well as entry into a drawing for free concerts, movies, food and CDs.
The Salt Lake City Library System and the Utah Museum of Natural History are also combining their efforts on a summer reading program, "Dinosaur Tales: The Stories Behind the Science."
In addition to its reading program, the Salt Lake County Library System will offer some related entertainment events that encourage reading. "Alpine Garrison," "Silly Symphony," singer Kevin Hurst and ventriloquist Darren Griffin will all perform at various libraries.
First kick-off event for the "Laugh It Up" reading program will be Monday, June 2, from 6-8:30 p.m. at the Creekside Park Pavilion, 4800 S. 1664 East. Sponsored by the Columbus, East Millcreek, Holladay and Smith libraries, the Silly Symphony will perform at this party. Families are invited to bring a picnic to enjoy their silly crafts and games. In case of inclement weather, the event will be in the Holladay Library Auditorium, 2150 E. Murray-Holladay Road.
Two additional parties will be Monday, June 9, one at 2 p.m. at the Whitmore Library, 2197 Fort Union Blvd., and another at 7 p.m. at the East Mill Creek Library, 2266 Evergreen Ave.
The "Alpine Garrison," part of Darth Vader's first Stormtrooper Legion of "Star Wars" fame, will visit the Hunter Library, 4740 W. 4100 South, on Saturday, May 31, at 2 p.m. to help celebrate summer reading. They will also come to the Bingham Creek Library on Monday, Aug. 11, at 7 p.m.
Ventriloquist Darren Griffin will come to the Kearns Library, 5350 S. 4220 West, on Thursday, June 5, at 7 p.m. He will visit the Magna Library, 8339 W. 3500 South, on Saturday, June 7, 2 p.m.; and he'll be at the Hunter Library, 4740 W. 4100 South, on Monday, June 9, at 7 p.m. He will also make nine other library appearances during the summer.
Singer Kevin Hurst will come to the Bingham Creek Library on Monday, June 2, at 6:30 p.m. On Saturday, June 7, he'll be at the Sandy Library, 10100 S. Petunia Way, at 11 a.m. He will make eight other library appearances this summer.
Meanwhile, the Salt Lake City Library System will continue a summer concert series each Friday from June 6 through July 18, at 5 p.m. each week, at the Main Library. It will also host a "Creature from the Black Lagoon" 3-D movie on June 27, 8 p.m. at the Main Library and a "Stereophonic Dance De-Luxe" on July 18 at 8 p.m. at the Main Library (for ages 21 and under).
The Orem Public Library is sponsoring a "Summer Reading Passport" program this year. Kids can begin this summer reading adventure on Monday, June 2, by picking up a passport at the library, 58 N. State, Orem. There will be prizes and author lectures. Call 229-7161 for more details.
The Davis County Library System has not yet announced its 2003 summer reading program. However, its events the past few years have included an extensive program to motivate both children's and young adult reading in the summer.
The Great Salt Lake Book Festival held Sept. 13-14 always has programs for children too.
Contributing: Marilou Sorensen
E-MAIL: ehayes@desnews.com, lynn@desnews.com