SUMMER READING Room 

READ 718’s Summer READing Room is a 6-week program in July and August that offers students entering grades 3-8 the opportunity to practice fundamental reading skills, promote engagement in reading, and prevent “summer slide.” Each READer works one-to-one with a trained volunteer for one hour two days per week during scheduled afternoons on Mondays/Wednesdays or Tuesdays/Thursdays.

Summer READing Room will take place July 7-August 14, 2025 in both our Boerum Hill and Bed-Stuy locations as well as remotely.

Students register from either 3:00-4:00, 4:00-5:00 or 5:00-6:00 PM.

This program is for READers in grades 3-8.

Payment for Summer READing Room is a sliding scale for eligible families. The fee is either $25, $65, or $100 for the 6 week cycle. Families choose.

Summer Book Club (remote)

READ 718’s Remote Summer Book Club is returning! A small group of students entering grades 5 and 6 will meet with a READ 718 staff member to read and discuss Sharon M. Draper’s, Stars and Sparks on Stage from the Clubhouse Mysteries collection.

Students will read assigned pages from the story at home each week and meet as a group to answer discussion questions, complete group activities, and to practice textual analysis and sharing their thoughts with their peers.

This book club is for rising 5th and 6th graders.

READ 718 Remote on Tuesdays via Zoom from 4:00-5:00pm.

Attendees will sign up for one location to join on a weekly basis.

The fee is $50 which includes a copy of the book!

WRITING WORKSHOP

ESSAY WRITING WORKSHOP (Boerum Hill), TUES/THURS 3:00-4:00 PM

A small group of rising 6th-9th graders will meet twice a week with a READ 718 staff member to strengthen their informative essay writing skills. Students will learn to construct an organized, four-paragraph essay based on a chosen topic of interest. They will complete the workshop with a final draft and improved confidence in their writing!

SHORT STORY WRITING WORKSHOP (Bed-Stuy), MON/WED 3:00-4:00 PM

Calling all storytellers and story lovers! In this workshop, a small group of rising 6th-9th graders will read and discuss a selection of short stories, learning what makes a strong setting, characters, plot and narrative arc. We will also dive into the craft of writing – how to use grammar, syntax and the revision process to make their ideas shine. Writers will leave the workshop with a stronger understanding of narrative writing, confidence in their writing skills, and their own original story.  

These summer workshops are for rising 6th-9th graders.

The fee is $50.