Summer is Not Over Yet! Don't Forget About Summer Reading!

Hello!

     Even though I can find a reason to read in every type of weather and all four seasons, summer is one of my favorite times to read a great book.  Besides having more time than I do during the school year, the great weather brings me outdoors and I can find so many different places to lie down with a great story; the beach, the pool, outside on the lawn, swinging on a hammock, really anywhere the sun is shining.

     I recently became a subscriber to Brightly, a website that promotes reading for all ages, and they sent me a newsletter about the best ways to get outside and read during this spectacular season.  Sometimes even the most focused students can become reluctant readers over the summer.  These suggestions include movement, a wide range of interests, and involve elements of creativity that could fool students into believing they aren't actually learning and reading.

• Plan a Themed Picnic- Choose a book with food in it (like Eric Carle's The Hungry Caterpillar) and pack those foods to take on a picnic.  Read the book before or after you eat to make the literacy connection.  It will be a memory that your children will never forget.
• A Book and a Craft- Some children find that sitting still to listen or read a book is difficult.  Pairing the book with an activity can inspire the creative side of children while engaging them in the story.  Check out Pinterest for boards with book and craft connections, like this board HERE.
• Go on a Walk- Reading and being physical outside usually do not connect.  That does not have to be the case, though!  Reading an informational book about birds, trees, plants, or any outdoor creature and then trying to locate what you read about in nature is motivating and fun.  Adding in the physical element of hiking, walking, or bike riding combines two wonderful things- education and exercise!  This activity is especially good for your sporty, energetic child.
• Read Outside Under the Stars- Set up a tent, lamps, or large campfire and read a bedtime story.  There is nothing cozier than being outside in the warm air with lightning bugs flying around.  It looks magical!  Even though many people say that you need a bright light to read in order not to hurt your eyes, that is actually a myth.  Even so, make sure there is enough light so headaches do not happen- it is pretty hard to read when not feeling your best.
• Create a Scavenger Hunt- For younger readers learning their sight words, hide the words they are studying around the yard or at a playground.  Making it a race between siblings or friends brings out competition and can make the game more exciting.

     An activity that I created for the summer, or really any time during the year, is to help your children cook!  Reading the recipes and measuring ingredients have lots of educational benefits.  Doing this activity alone or pairing it with a book, (such as making cookies after reading If You Give a Mouse a Cookie by Laura Numeroff) will give even more meaning to the stories.

     Making sure that children read over the summer is crucial to the beginning of a successful school year in September.  Finding activities that your child enjoys and combining that with academics will allow students to be motivated and engaged.  Students will not even realize they are learning because they will be having so much fun!  Let me know your thoughts on these activities, especially after trying them with your children!

Enjoy!

*Subscribe to Brightly's free newsletter to learn about book recommendations and activities to do with your students or children.  Click HERE to access their subscription page.