Free Resources for Summer Reading and Math!

As we continue to recover from the pandemic, the challenge of keeping students reading and practicing math over the warm summer months increases. Research has shown that students who do not read consistently and practice math skills over the summer months can lose momentum in maintaining the progress they made during the school year; this is known as “summer slide.” This year, as school closures continue to redefine our idea of summer, the loss could be even greater.

In collaboration with schools, public libraries, and state and local agencies, we encourage children and families to read and maintain math skills throughout the summer. To support this initiative, MetaMetrics—an educational research group—has put together a number of free, research-based resources to help our students and families prevent the summer slide in both reading and math.

Education leaders who wish to help students find reading materials and math activities at their ability level - visit the Social Media ToolKit.  

• Read the research on summer learning loss.
• Learn how the Lexile® Find a Book tool + Quantile® Summer Math Challenge can enhance your summer learning initiatives.
• Utilize our social media calendar to raise awareness and encourage summer activity.
• Access artwork to visually support your summer learning social media campaign.
• Find recommended strategies to boost engagement.

Summer Library Challenge 2021

Find a Book, Delaware is a great way to choose books for Delaware's Summer Library Challenge 2021! Throughout the summer, the state's public libraries - including the Kent and Sussex bookmobiles - will award incentive prizes to children based on reading and activity milestones. Registration is free at all public libraries. Fun and educational STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math), art, and cultural programs for children will also be offered. For more information and a schedule of events, visit Delaware Libraries - Summer Reading Program

2021 Summer Library Challenge Flyers:

• English flyer
• Spanish flyer
• Haitian-Creole flyer

Additional Resources:

• 2020 Choice Reading Lists - from International Literacy Association
• Children and Teen Book Choices
• 2021 Notable Children's Books
• Young Adult Choices
• Lexile Levels for Beginning Readers - finding the most appropriate books for beginning readers
• Don't forget to check out the Delaware Diamonds program