Summer Reading Programs & Book Report printable

I really enjoy summer reading programs and so does mija. 
She especially like the extra activities and prizes. In fact, the only time we go to see the Kansas City Royals play is when we get free tickets through a local library's summer reading program! 
I like it because it's a great to get rewarded for something you'd do anyway. Also, in a state that counts hours for homeschooling, it's a fun way to catch up on hours for this school year or get ahead on hours for next school year!
And yes, usually you can count the books you read for more than one program which makes it convenient. Read each program to find out any specific details.


First of all, check you local libraries for their programs. Here are links for the summer reading programs of some of the libraries in the Kansas City Metro area. (The rest of you can skip ahead!)
Mid-Continent Public Library
Kansas City Public
Johnson County Library
(If you know the links to any of the others, feel free to leave them in the comments or on my FB page.


Don't limit summer reading to only libraries, however.  Here are some other ones to consider. (Thanks, Kansas City Mamas)

Book Adventure – Sylvan offers this FREE online reading incentive program. After your child reads a book, they take a simple comprehension quiz to make sure they understood what they read. (Similar to AR tests.)

There are hundreds of books to choose from in all reading levels. These are common books that can be found at your local library. Once they have earned enough points they can trade them in for some really neat prizes.

Half Price Books – They are offering kids ages 14 and under a chance to earn a $5 Gift Card for reading just 15 each day throughout the summer.

PBS Kids Summer Reading Challenge – This challenge kicks off on June 6th and includes a FREE six week reading program and the chance for your kids to win daily prizes for their participation.

Barnes & Noble Imagination Destination – This summer reading program through Barnes & Noble gives your child the ability to earn a FREE book after reading 8 books and keeping track of them in a reading log. (Find your local Kick Off Parties.)

Chuck E. Cheese – Earn 10 FREE tokens every time your child reads for 2 weeks in a row. Just fill out the form and bring it in to claim your free token.

Scholastic Summer Challenge - Log in your reading minutes to the Scholastic site and your child will be able to participate in a World Record challenge as well as earn digital prizes.

To make it easier for me to keep track of what books mija will be reading, I developed a small book report form that you are more than welcome to use as well. Here's what it looks like:

Even before the summer starts, it's time to sign up for the Pizza Hut Book It Program for next school year. Locally, we have a group of homeschoolers who meet at Pizza Hut once a month to use their certificates and fulfill the much touted socialization quotient!




Linked to:
  

Check out activities as well as books

I know all library systems are not created equal.  My city, in fact, are serviced by two different systems which allows me to pick and choose. 

For instance, for summer reading, we may keep records for both but we usually attend more activities at library A because, well, they offer more activities (and more prizes!). 

Library B on the other hand, is much more homeschooler friendly during the school year.  In fact, they offer special enrichment classes during the day a few times a month. Another benefit for us is that we actually have two libraries in this system, so we have even more options for days, times and activies.

Take this week for instance, we went Thursday for a presentation on Jackson Pollock.  The librarian then took the kids outside with large pieces of paper and different "tools"  and allowed them to paint "a Pollock."  Today, the same library offered "Mad Science: Music" today which discussed in simple terms the science of music (vibration, pitch, etc.)  The week after next, the other library is having a "fall party" that will include art with leaves and fall colors.  Oh, and last week, we talked about colonial times and made a horn book.

As you can see, some of it's reinforcement and some of it is introduction or exposure to things that I might not normally get to do at home.  So, all this is just to say check out your library for some free, educational fun!

Summer Reading Programs

It's time to start gearing up for summer reading programs.


My friend Jamie pointed out one of our local libraries was accepting online sign-up. The program starts May 24. You can earn up to 3 incentives which is one for each 6 hours that is read. It's based on time not on number of books. Go to Mid-Continent Public Library Summer Reading Program.  We usually also sign up for the Kansas City Library summer reading program when it gets up and running.

Half Price Books will also be doing their program.  Kids 14 and under can earn a $3 Half Price Book shopping card for each week they read 15 minutes a day.  Go to Feed Your Brain Summer Reading Program to print the reading logs.


Homeschool Freebies by Jamin mentioned two more options.

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading 
Kids read any eight (8) books of their choosing. Kids use the Passport to Summer Reading to document the places visited in each book. A parent/guardian signs the Passport when it's complete. Kids bring their completed Passport to any B&N store between May 25 and September 7, 2010. We'll give them a coupon for a FREE BOOK, to be chosen from a list of exceptional paperback titles.  Here is the list of books.
Borders' Double Dog Dare Reading Program
This is for kids 12 and under.  Read any 10 books.  Take in the complete form and receive a free book.  It must be turned in by August 28 at any Borders, Borders Express or Waldenbooks.