By Carmen Gordillo
 
When I went to Starbucks last week I noticed it. At the hairdresser and on the subway I noticed it too. It is prevalent at restaurants. Kids’ eyes are either on a smartphone, iPad, or other electronic devices. Adults are guilty of this too. I know I am. After all I have to answer my text messages and view my twitter feed to find out what is happening in the world immediately! Lately, I started peeking at what kids are doing on these devices and found that most are playing games. I rarely see kids reading books on these devices or carrying an actual book around.

As an educator and Savvy Auntie, I worry about the “summer slide” which means that if children are not reading over the summer they will fall behind two months academically from their peers who are reading during this time. Renowned reading researchers, Richard L. Allington and Anne McGill-Franzen, have conducted studies on summer reading setbacks and found that the “summer slide” affects students from lower income families more than ones from higher incomes (www.reading.org). However, this research has implications for all students. This “summer slide” resonates with me, especially when I think about my nieces and their summer reading. Honestly, I think schools try to support children by assigning summer reading projects. From my professional experience I know students do not enjoy these assignments and some of the results are forced. From a personal viewpoint I know most kids do these projects at the last minute and parents (and Savvy Aunties) are stressed in August. What are authentic ways Savvy Aunties can support their nieces and nephews in their summer reading?

Summer Book Clubs

Linda Luongo, a veteran middle school teacher, certified reading specialist, and mother of two boys, stated “that it is important to model what readers do in real life.” Therefore, this summer she is hosting a book club for her son and his friends three times a week. The boys are choosing the book and they will discuss the book as well as respond in a journal. Parents in her neighborhood asked if their sons could be part of this book club too. This is a wonderful way to support the social aspect of learning.     

Reading and the Arts

On rainy days, Savvy Aunties can read with their nieces and respond in creative ways. For example, both my nieces are in musical theatre so they love acting out their favorite parts of books. Additionally, we play our version of charades where we act out parts of a book and take turns guessing. There is a six-year age difference between my younger and older niece so it is sometimes difficult finding an activity that engages them both. I have found that drawing and sketching does not have an age limit. Both my nieces love drawing their favorite parts of books. We use different art materials, such as watercolors, oil paints, or simply crayons. We have an art contest at the end (P.S. everyone wins!).   

Connect with Technology
 
Since children (and adults) are so attached to an electronic device, why not connect this to literacy? Perhaps Savvy Aunties can have their nieces use apps such as Kindle and iBooks to download books. In addition, blogging is popular with kids. Sites like edmodo.com and kidblog.org are free and Savvy Aunties can also join in on the blogging.  I encourage my nieces to connect with their favorite authors via Twitter. After all, I am still waiting for Judy Blume to respond to me one day.

There are a variety of ways Savvy Aunties can help prevent the summer slide. It is important to remember the most important way, which is to read with your nieces and nephews as much as you can. And make sure to put your phone down when you are with them. Be present. Text messages can wait. Happy summer (and reading)!

Carmen Gordillo is a literacy specialist, middle school teacher, and doctoral candidate. She is a teacher consultant and provides professional development through the National Writing Project @ Rutgers.

Photo: jeremyhiebert via Flickr cc
Published: June 23, 2014