By: Anne Flenner - FLVS School Counselor

Everyone knows the old saying, “If you don’t use it, you lose it.” Researchers have studied the “summer slide” for nearly thirty years. A recent study of children in third through fifth grades showed that students lost, on average, about 20% of their school-year gains in reading during summer break. So, how can parents and educators encourage students to keep learning over the summer without it feeling like work? 

Here are a few resources families can use to make learning over the summer fun:

Reading Resources:

• 2024-25 Sunshine State Reading Lists: Kick off your summer reading with the exciting selections from the Sunshine State Reading Lists. Dive into these fantastic books now and join in on the fun during the school year, including the FLVS Annual Book Battle, typically held in the spring, where FLVS Flex and FLVS Full Time students go head-to-head to test their knowledge of the Sunshine State Reading Lists. Find the books here: SSYRA 

• Pizza Hut’s Book It Program: What’s better than reading a great book? Enjoying a delicious pizza as a reward! Pizza Hut’s Book It Program is back, encouraging kids to read with tasty incentives. Learn more here: Book It Program 

• Local Library Summer Programs: Remember to check out your local library! Many Florida counties offer active and engaging summer programs for kids. These programs often include storytimes, reading challenges, and fun activities that make reading a blast. 

World Languages: 

• Duolingo: Want to learn a new language? Try the Duolingo app for free! It’s a fun way for the whole family to learn and practice a new language together. 

Additional Resources: 

• Scholastic Summer Reading: Engage your kids with Scholastic’s summer reading program, designed to keep them excited about books and learning. Find out more here: Scholastic Summer Reading 

• Florida Department of Education Summer Activities: The Florida Department of Education offers a variety of summer activities for elementary students to keep their skills sharp. Check out their resources here: FDOE Summer Activities 

With these resources, keeping your kids engaged and learning over the summer can be both fun and rewarding. Encourage them to explore new books, master math skills, and even learn a new language. Have a great summer filled with learning adventures!

For families that would like to incorporate one or more individual online courses into their education plan for the upcoming school year, FLVS Flex is open for enrollment year-round. For families that would like to take all online courses through FLVS exclusively, Florida Virtual Full Time Public Schools is currently open for enrollment through July 19 for high school students and July 26 for elementary and middle school students.