compiled by Joy Ferguson
Summer reading has a host of benefits! Students who read during the summer months are more likely to continue to make progress in the areas of fluency, comprehension, and vocabulary. Reading to them is equally beneficial.
See: Mem Fox Reading Magic: Why Reading Aloud to Our Children Will Change Their Lives Forever and The Power of Reading by Stephen Krashen
Summer Reading Programs: Please note –One goal is to encourage lifelong reading habits. Please encourage kids to read because reading is fun, not for the rewards.
–Barnes & Noble: Kids in grades 1 – 6 read eight books and get one free. Once they complete their eight books, they can choose a free book from a set list. For more information, please visit Barnes & Noble’s summer reading website.
–Brooklyn Public Library: Online at summerreading.org. Kids and young adults log the books read and present information about their summer reading activities in a fun, safe and anonymous way. The web site is all about reviewing books, winning digital badges for accomplishments in reading and other library related activities. Kids are eligible to win weekly prizes. There are also paper logs and game boards. See http://summerreading.org/ or http://www.brooklynpubliclibrary.org/summerreading
–PBS Kids Summer Reading Community Challenge: A six week program where kids can register online and receive: a daily email with fun activities, tricks and advice from your Challenge coach, great book suggestions for kids of all ages, tips from other kids and parents, and a chance to win daily prizes. For more information, please visit the PBS Kids website.
–Scholastic Summer Challenge: Children log the number of minutes spent reading in order to try to reach weekly goals, earn digital prizes and help set a world record. For more information, please visit Scholastic’s summer challenge website.
A few sources for online free books/audiobooks/educational sites
–We Give Books – books online
Available to read on a computer with internet, We Give Books offers well known picture books as well as short chapter books for kids 0 – 10 http://www.wegivebooks.org/. Check out the summer reading program with a book and corresponding fun educational activities for ages 0-3, 4-7, and 8-10.