Summer Reading- what's a reasonable number of books?

My DD is entering second grade and is getting more into chapter books, though she still reads easy readers and picture books in equal amounts. Her librarian and school organized a summer reading challenge that asks the kids to read 10 books. I know DD will read more than that.

Today she got a PTA reading challenge as a fundraiser and they are recommending 40 books for incoming second graders. I think that's a lot, thoughts? My DD reads and I want to challenge her but I also don't want to put too much on her because I don't want to turn her off.

Re: Summer Reading- what's a reasonable number of books?

40 books? That seems like a lot. We have 74 days of summer vacation. I think I would like DS to get though 15 to 20 books. But I also am working with him to learn script and would like for him to journal to work on penmanship and sentence structure.

Today was his last day of 1st grade. We went to a party and he read a small book (Dr. Seus type)

He does not love to read. I want him to love to read.
Eta: ds has been reading 25 minutes a day. Sometimes they are chapter books and some times they are smaller books.

Message edited 7/5/2014 9:23:59 PM.

Re: Summer Reading- what's a reasonable number of books?

I guess it depends -you are talking 1-2 days a book roughly. I think it is a lot if you are speaking about longer chapter books. If you are talking about shorter ones than it isn't so bad. Maybe she could read a few shorter ones and 1-2 chapter books a week.

Re: Summer Reading- what's a reasonable number of books?

Personally, and I have a DS that is just finishing 1st grade, I don't think the number of books should be the measure - last year our library did the book club by minutes of reading time in half hour increments. That is also how DS's hw was this year - everyone is on different levels so reading assignments were always time increments and not number of books. My DS is reading books that are 120 pages plus - that is the level he is at and the level where reading is really productive - obviously 40 books of that length would be a bit ridiculous. That said, I think a typical first grade reading level book is probably around what 40 pages? That is much more manageable but, I would rather my DS read for quality than quantity if that makes sense. Personally I think reading for a certain amount of time per day is more productive than racing to finish X number of the shortest, easiest books.

Re: Summer Reading- what's a reasonable number of books?

I agree that the #of books shouldn't be the focus but I think the amount of time per day. Try to get your child to read 30 minutes a day. Your child during school gets at least 40 min a day of reading but there's also read aloud, shared reading And guided reading. It's just so important that they read. Regression happens. I see it. I'm a first grade teacher :)

Summer Reading- what's a reasonable number of books?

40 chapter books, NO, 40 picture books, easily done IMO

Summer Reading- what's a reasonable number of books?

We broke it up into 15 min segment.
I want 100 done by end of summer.

Re: Summer Reading- what's a reasonable number of books?

Last year, before my DD was entering 1st grade, I had her read 100 books over the summer (she logged every book she read!). She ended up reading over 100. These were all picture books (of all different levels, didn't matter to me). This year, entering 2nd and reading chapter books, I am making her goal 1,000 minutes (that's 20 min per day for 50 days, which is totally doable over the 8 weeks of summer).

Re: Summer Reading- what's a reasonable number of books?

I think 1-2 books per week. My DS loves the series.."My Weird School" and he actually enjoys reading the chapters so it goes faster. he is able to finish it with in a few days.

Re: Summer Reading- what's a reasonable number of books?

My DD is entering 2nd also & at their school they are doing the Scholastic book challenge also & were asked to read 25 books (which I think is fair). They also listed if they are chapter books that the book counts as "3".

Summer Reading- what's a reasonable number of books?

DD has a requirement of 10 books, with a log that has title and author, together with a picture that tells something about the story, bound and handed in on the first day of school.

Re: Summer Reading- what's a reasonable number of books?

Putting a number isn't fair. My son is currently entering 2nd grade and reading a book with over 200 pages. No way can he read 40 books that are that long in one summer - lol.

If he read books on his suggested list - - he would could read a lot of books- but he wouldn't be challenging himself or interested in what he is reading. Judging by minutes is so much more fair.

I remember one year my older son at this age set a high number of books for himself for a summer - so he spent the summer reading Biscuit books which were much below his reading level just to make a goal...I know reading is reading but still what was the point?

Re: Summer Reading- what's a reasonable number of books?

agreed, DD (6) has been reading 3-4 easier books daily like pinkalicious, llama llama, and a few chapters daily of her Junie B Jones books.

Re: Summer Reading- what's a reasonable number of books?

No set number. DD1 entering 6th grade reads a minimum 1 hour everyday. DD2 entering 4th grade reads a min of 40 min each day. These are books on their reading level. They often read more than that.

Summer Reading- what's a reasonable number of books?

That's ALOT! My DD going into 6th has to read 1100 pages.