Publication Date
12-2019
Abstract
Middle schools often mandate summer reading as a means of stemming summer learning loss, but research suggests that many students do not read any books during the summer months. Limited book access and difficulties self-selecting books are two barriers that can impact students’ summer reading practices. To address these challenges, students in one Grade 7 classroom participated in an initiative designed to scaffold book choices prior to summer break and to increase students’ access to high-interest books. Compared to students in a randomly selected business-as-usual classroom, students who participated in the book scaffolding initiative were more likely to read at least one book over the summer. The author describes ways in which dedicating class time to helping middle school students discover reading interests, coupled with providing free access to books, can impact summer reading practices.
Recommended Citation
Capotosto, L. (2019). Scaffolding Choice, Increasing Access: A Summer Initiative to Promote Middle School Students’ Book Reading. Reading Horizons: A Journal of Literacy and Language Arts, 58 (3). Retrieved from https://scholarworks.wmich.edu/reading_horizons/vol58/iss3/5
