Take the Summer Six Reading Challenge

“Oh, the places you’ll go!” Every child has a favorite book or storybook character. When they are little, they will listen to you read the same book to them over and over. As they get older, they may select an entire series of books to read with devotion. Reading opens the door to our imagination, exposing us to far-off places, interesting people and new ideas.

That’s why the Office of Public Instruction and the governor’s office are working together to encourage Montana students in kindergarten through twelfth grade to sign up for the Summer Six Reading Challenge. Reading just six books over the summer can help maintain and improve reading skills so students start school in the fall ready to learn.

Students who don't read during the summer break run the risk of losing some of their reading comprehension skills and have a much harder time catching up when school starts again in the fall. This is called the "summer slide." Over the years, the achievement gap widens between students who read during the summer break and those who don't.

There are many ways families can encourage their children to read throughout the summer. Public libraries across Montana have great reading programs for children, teens and families. You can find out what’s happening at your local library by visiting mymontanalibrary.org. Summer food programs and local organizations such as Boys & Girls clubs and YMCAs also provide summer learning opportunities for students of all ages.

Students who sign up to take the Summer Six Reading Challenge on the Office of Public Instruction’s website become eligible to win prizes in a monthly drawing. More than 1,500 students have already taken the challenge, keeping us on track to surpass our goal of 2,000 students.

Please visit opi.mt.gov/read6books to take the Summer Six Reading Challenge.

Every child can achieve their dreams of the places they will go and the things they will do, but in order to succeed, they must be able to read.

(Denise Juneau is Montana superintendent of public instruction. Lisa Bullock is Montana's first lady and wife of Gov. Steve Bullock. Janet Walsh is the wife of Lt. Gov. John Walsh.)