Between sports, video games, and playing outside, there's lots of competition for kids' time in the summer. Here are some ideas for ways they can still sneak in their reading.
1. Read Over Breakfast. Encourage kids to take five or ten minutes at the beginning of each day to read, before doing anything else. They can even set a timer - chances are they'll want to keep going after it buzzes!
2. Match Books to Activities. Know a child going to soccer camp? Connect him with sports stories by authors like Matt Christopher. Have a student who'll be in summer school? The Summer of May by Cecilia Galente is a moving story about a girl coming to terms with her own summer school experience.
3. Always Carry a Book. Encourage children to always carry a book with them. It sounds simple, but kids may be surprised to discover all the time during the day they have for reading - on the bus to camp, in a waiting room, or during commercial breaks.
4. Have Family Reading Time. Just as you set aside time for independent reading during the school year, ask families to devote 20 minutes a day to books. Every family member should read during this time, including Mom and Dad.
5. Set Individual Goals. Some kids will have no problem reading the four-book minimum. Others may need specific strategies, such as one book a month. Meet with kids to determine their plans.
It's been a GREAT year! And don't forget, READ EVERY DAY!
Mrs. Theresa Reiter, K-12 Teacher Librarian
