Summer Reading 2010
Why summer reading matters:
Studies show that children who read during the summer are significantly better prepared for school in the fall. Children who don't read during the summer can lose up to three months of reading progress and that loss has a cumulative, long-term effect. Also, reading for fun results in significant gains in vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Plus, summer activities and trips always call for good books!
To read more about the evils of "summer slip" click here.
Studies show that children who read during the summer are significantly better prepared for school in the fall. Children who don't read during the summer can lose up to three months of reading progress and that loss has a cumulative, long-term effect. Also, reading for fun results in significant gains in vocabulary, fluency, and comprehension. Plus, summer activities and trips always call for good books!
To read more about the evils of "summer slip" click here.
What can we do to prevent "summer slip"?
There are many ways you can help your child not only maintain, but possibly even build upon his/her reading skills over the summer. Of course, the most obvious answer is simply to have your child read! Your child should read, at minimum, for 45 minutes every day. (Remember that during the school year, your child spends at least 1.5 hours a day at school reading and thinking about text, in addition to reading at home.) I have posted here a variety of resources and tips to help make summer reading a fun, exciting part of your child's summer activities. It is my hope that you will use the activities and programs listed below as a starting point for your child's summer reading life.
As always, I would be more than happy to help recommend books or activities for your child throughout the summer! Please send me an email if you need book suggestions or other help to support your child over the summer. While the school year might be over, I am still here to support my students.
There are many ways you can help your child not only maintain, but possibly even build upon his/her reading skills over the summer. Of course, the most obvious answer is simply to have your child read! Your child should read, at minimum, for 45 minutes every day. (Remember that during the school year, your child spends at least 1.5 hours a day at school reading and thinking about text, in addition to reading at home.) I have posted here a variety of resources and tips to help make summer reading a fun, exciting part of your child's summer activities. It is my hope that you will use the activities and programs listed below as a starting point for your child's summer reading life.
As always, I would be more than happy to help recommend books or activities for your child throughout the summer! Please send me an email if you need book suggestions or other help to support your child over the summer. While the school year might be over, I am still here to support my students.
Summer Reading Activities, Ideas, and Clubs
1) The New York Public Library Summer Reading Program
This free summer reading program has two components. Your child can participate at any public library location in the city. You don't even need a library card. There is also an online internet component, where your child can log his/her reading hours online, earn virtual badges, and review books. Visit http://www.summerreading.org/ to learn more about the program. (I will be introducing the program in class with the students to get them started.) View the videos below to watch a trailer for the summer reading program, as well as an instructional video about how the program works.
This free summer reading program has two components. Your child can participate at any public library location in the city. You don't even need a library card. There is also an online internet component, where your child can log his/her reading hours online, earn virtual badges, and review books. Visit http://www.summerreading.org/ to learn more about the program. (I will be introducing the program in class with the students to get them started.) View the videos below to watch a trailer for the summer reading program, as well as an instructional video about how the program works.
NYPL Summer Reading Trailer
NYPL Summer Reading Users Guide
2) Bookstore Summer Reading Promotions
Both Barnes and Noble and Borders have summer reading initiatives through which students can get a free book.
Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program -
How it works:
1) Kids read any eight (8) books of their choosing.
2) Kids use the Passport to Summer Reading to record the places visited in each book. A parent/guardian signs the Passport when it's complete. (The Passport is posted below as a PDF.)
3) Kids bring their completed Passport to any B&N store between May 25 and September 7, 2010.
4) Barnes and Noble will give them a coupon for a free paperback book chosen from a list of titles.
Click here for more information about the Barnes and Noble Program.
Both Barnes and Noble and Borders have summer reading initiatives through which students can get a free book.
Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program -
How it works:
1) Kids read any eight (8) books of their choosing.
2) Kids use the Passport to Summer Reading to record the places visited in each book. A parent/guardian signs the Passport when it's complete. (The Passport is posted below as a PDF.)
3) Kids bring their completed Passport to any B&N store between May 25 and September 7, 2010.
4) Barnes and Noble will give them a coupon for a free paperback book chosen from a list of titles.
Click here for more information about the Barnes and Noble Program.
| 2010_passporttosummerreading.pdf |
Borders Summer Reading Program -
How it works:
1) Student reads any ten (10) books of their choosing.
2) List the books on the "Double Dog Dare" form and complete the form. (The form is posted below as a PDF.)
3) Bring the completed form into any Borders store for your free book. The program ends August 26, 2010.
Click here for more information about the Borders Program.
How it works:
1) Student reads any ten (10) books of their choosing.
2) List the books on the "Double Dog Dare" form and complete the form. (The form is posted below as a PDF.)
3) Bring the completed form into any Borders store for your free book. The program ends August 26, 2010.
Click here for more information about the Borders Program.
| borders_summerreading_form.pdf |
3) Build Reading and Writing into Everyday Activities
Families, there are a lot of simple ways your can incorporate reading and writing into your child's everyday activities. Here are some ideas:
* If your child is going to watch TV, have him/her watch with the sound off and closed captioning on.
* Have your child read directions: for board games, recipes, subway maps, etc. It doesn't matter how trivial it might seem - directions provide an authentic purpose for reading.
*Cook together. Have your child write your grocery store lists, read recipes out loud to you, and browse cookbooks or cooking websites for new recipes.
* Have your child post book reviews for the books he/she reads during the summer on Amazon.com or on the scholastic website Share What You're Reading. (http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/swyar/index.asp)
4) Summer Reading Book Suggestions
Click here for a short list of book recommendations from Mrs. Zimmerman. This is just a starting place. There are SO many other great books out there, but I could only list a few. If you need more recommendations, email me.
Families, there are a lot of simple ways your can incorporate reading and writing into your child's everyday activities. Here are some ideas:
* If your child is going to watch TV, have him/her watch with the sound off and closed captioning on.
* Have your child read directions: for board games, recipes, subway maps, etc. It doesn't matter how trivial it might seem - directions provide an authentic purpose for reading.
*Cook together. Have your child write your grocery store lists, read recipes out loud to you, and browse cookbooks or cooking websites for new recipes.
* Have your child post book reviews for the books he/she reads during the summer on Amazon.com or on the scholastic website Share What You're Reading. (http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/swyar/index.asp)
4) Summer Reading Book Suggestions
Click here for a short list of book recommendations from Mrs. Zimmerman. This is just a starting place. There are SO many other great books out there, but I could only list a few. If you need more recommendations, email me.
