Scholastic Summer Challenge | Scholastic Media Room

Posted April 29th, 2009 by admin

Summer Reading Challenge

AT–A–GLANCE

What is it?

Part of the global literary initiative, Read Every Day. Lead a Better Life., the Scholastic Summer Challenge is a free reading program dedicated to stopping the "Summer Slide" and inspiring kids to read every day throughout the summer months.

Why Summer Reading?

Research shows that kids who do not read during the summer months are more likely to fall victim to the "Summer Slide" — the common loss of skills due to being out of school.

Take the Challenge

scholastic.com/summer

Reading Ambassadors

2012 Reading Ambassadors

More Information

Nadia Almahdi
NAlmahdi@scholastic.com
212-343-6635

“Just like hockey players lose some of their skills if they stay off their skates and off the ice for three months, children who do not read in the summer lose two to three months of reading development”

—Dr. Richard Allington

Press Releases

Highlights

Now in its seventh year, the Scholastic Summer Challenge invites kids to log the minutes they spend reading as they Read for the World Record, and the 20 schools with the most minutes logged will receive recognition in the 2014 Scholastic Book of World Records and the top school will win a school visit from Captain Underpants author, Dav Pilkey. In 2012, kids logged 95,859,491 minutes. You can learn about the Top 20 schools here.
Educators can pre-register their class for the 2013 Scholastic Summer Challenge beginning April 8
Students can log their minutes starting on May 6 when the Scholastic Summer Challenge launches
The Scholastic Summer Challenge has something for everyone!
- Log minutes and help set a new world record for summer reading
- The school that logs the most minutes wins a classroom visit from Captian Underpants author Dav Pilkey
- Participate in weekly challenges and earn digital rewards by spinning the virtual prize wheel
- Enter sweepstakes to win fabulous prizes
- Read around the world and track your minutes with a new reading meter
- Track students' reading progress throughout the summer through our Teacher Dashboard which also allows for bulk registration for the entire class. (NEW: teachers can now easily upload their class list)
- Email or print a take-home letter to let parents know students are signed up for the Summer Challenge
- New online calendar on Scholastic Teachers Facebook page with free daily tips, events, and information to get your students ready for summer reading
- Download summer reading book lists that include Common Core suggested titles
- Find free resources to incorporate the Summer Challenge into lesson plans in various ways including tailored activity sheets
- Enter sweepstakes and gain access to exclusive promotions at the Teacher Store Online
- The top 20 schools that log the most minutes get featured in the 2014 Scholastic Book of World Records. #1 school wins a visit from author Dav Pilkey!
- The top school in every state will receive a "Reading Plaque" to display at school
- Discover ways to use the Summer Challenge at home with free resources including:
  - Summer reading book lists
  - Expert tips to encourage your child to read more this summer
  - Printable activity sheets, reading certificates and more
- Receive email alerts on your child’s weekly reading success
- FREE Storia ebook available to every child who signs up
- New online calendar on Scholastic Parents Facebook page with free daily tips, events and information to keep your kids reading
- New daily content on the Scholastic Reading Timer app
As part of the Summer Challenge, Governors’ Spouses from across the nation are serving as “Reading Ambassadors” to help spread the important message about reading books over the summer. This is the fifth year the First Spouses are supporting this cause. For more on the Reading Ambassadors program, click here.
For the fourth year in a row, WordGirl™ will serve as the national “Ambassador of Summer Reading.” WordGirl has adopted summer reading as her cause to encourage kids to continue reading over the summer, because reading helps children learn new words, and learning new words helps children become better readers.