When the final school bell rings and students rush into their much-anticipated summer break, it’s easy to assume their learning will pause until the next academic year. But for many students, especially those without access to structured enrichment opportunities, summer can be a time of academic regression.
This phenomenon, often referred to as the summer slide, can lead to significant learning loss, especially in reading skills. As educators, we have the unique opportunity to help students avoid this decline by preparing them with resources, habits, and mindsets that encourage summer learning success.
The Juice is a daily reading platform used by thousands of students across the country to practice reading, build comprehension skills, and stay informed about the world around them.
1. Start the Conversation Early
Preparing students for summer success starts with awareness. As early as April or May, begin conversations in class about the importance of staying curious and engaged over the summer.
Try This:
Create a class discussion or journal prompt: “What are 3 things you want to learn about this summer?” Helping students realize they’re in charge of their learning—inside and outside of school—can spark intrinsic motivation.
2. Equip Students with Reading Resources
One of the best predictors of summer learning success is access to reading materials while they’re out of school. But simply telling students to read isn’t enough, especially if they associate reading with textbooks or assignments. Reading should be fun (especially over the summer), so starting that mentality early can make it easier for students to get excited about reading for fun.
Try This:
Create a summer reading menu that includes:
- High-interest fiction and nonfiction book lists
- Access to free reading platforms like The Juice, which offers daily current events at four reading levels
- Audiobook recommendations for students who enjoy listening
- Let students choose the format and topics that interest them most.
3. Introduce Daily Reading Habits
Routines matter. Encouraging students to spend just 15–20 minutes a day on meaningful reading can have a significant impact on retention and comprehension growth.
Try This:
Send home a printable or digital calendar with daily learning prompts like:
- Read an article about a current event
- Write a journal entry on something new they learned in a book
- Interview a family member about a historical event and compare it to what they learned in a book
These prompts don’t have to feel like homework. The goal is to make reading relevant, flexible, and easy to integrate into daily life.
4. Share Tools That Build Independence
Middle and high school students are often ready for ownership over their learning. Equipping them with the right tools can empower them to continue learning without adult oversight.
Recommended Tools:
- The Juice: Delivers daily current events written at different reading levels with comprehension questions, vocabulary support, and engaging visuals — perfect for self-guided reading.
- Khan Academy: Offers free, self-paced lessons in multiple subjects.
- CommonLit: Provides free literary and informational texts with built-in questions.
Try This:
Set up a quick tutorial during the last week of school so students know how to log in, access content, and track their progress.
5. Provide Family-Friendly Support
Caregivers are a crucial part of the summer learning equation. While not every family has the time or resources to take on “teaching,” many are eager to support their children when they’re given clear guidance.
Try This:
Send home a summer learning letter with:
- Why summer learning matters
- Where to access free platforms (library programs, school accounts, or the daily edition of The Juice)
- Simple routines families can follow, like “10 minutes of reading before dinner” or “15 minutes of reading before bed”
6. Recommend Summer Learning Programs
Many communities offer enrichment programs through libraries, recreation centers, museums, or nonprofits. These programs often include reading incentives, STEM challenges, arts workshops, and more.
Try This:
Gather a list of local programs and include it in your end-of-year communication. Highlight:
- Free summer reading programs
- Local book clubs or reading contests
- How to get a library card
7. Make Summer Goals Together
Students are more likely to stay engaged over the summer if they have personal goals to work toward.
Try This:
Host a class “goal setting” session:
- “I want to read 10 articles this summer.”
- “I want to learn how to cook a meal using online recipes.”
- “I want to know more about climate change and write about it.”
Let students write and decorate goal cards to take home or even email their goals to themselves to revisit later.
8. Celebrate Learning with a Summer Kickoff Challenge
Turn the last week of school into a celebration of learning with a fun and simple summer challenge that students can take home.
Try This:
Create a “Summer Explorer” bingo board or reading challenge card that includes:
- Read one current event article per week
- Write a letter to a relative
- Visit a museum (virtually or in person) and journal about it
- Watch a documentary and take notes
Add a few creative spaces like “Draw a comic strip about a news story” to boost engagement.
9. Use Your Platform
If your school uses a learning management system or teacher website, leave a “summer hub” up and active throughout June and July.
Try This:
Upload:
- Weekly learning activities
- Links to reading platforms like The Juice
- Student work examples or writing prompts
- A forum or Google Form where students can check in or share what they’ve learned
This ongoing connection reminds students that they’re part of a learning community even after class ends.
Small Efforts, Big Results
By the time May rolls around, teachers are EXHAUSTED. Preventing the summer slide shouldn’t require hours of planning or extra grading. The most effective way teachers can set students up for summer learning success is by planting the seeds of curiosity and showing them that learning doesn’t stop when the classroom closes.
The key is making it fun, accessible, and student-centered. Whether reading a daily news article on The Juice, journaling about a summer adventure, or watching a video about a new scientific breakthrough, summer can be a time of growth — not loss.
With just a bit of preparation, we can help students build a summer filled with inquiry and discovery, setting the tone for a successful school year ahead.