Wrapping up Summer Reading

This year we completed the summer reading programs of two different libraries. It makes it much easier when you can just track online.

The Kansas City Public library was the first one we completed. It offers small toy incentives throughout, BUT they offer Kansas City Royals tickets when you finish the whole program. When the Royals weren't doing so well, you could score tickets for the whole family, but now it was limited to two tickets.

Daddy and daughter time!

Mija was totally psyched about seeing Billy Butler play.

And she scored a new finger...in pink instead of Royal blue.

The other library we worked through was the Mid-Continent Public library. No toys or tickets though them. You earn books and maybe a hat or messenger bag at the end. Mija decided on all books.

How did summer reading go for you?

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:
  

Summer Reading Fun

Summer Reading Fun
from CurrClick's Weekly Newsletter 5/16/11
You can read the whole newsletter for yourself HERE.



Whether you take a break for the summer or school year round, summer is a great time to encourage reading. Struggling readers can take a break from their formal reading program and find pleasure in reading books they enjoy. Kids who love reading will be thrilled because they don't often have time to read all those books on their “want to read” list. Moms, you can use the quiet reading time to catch up on household chores or better yet, do some reading of your own!


So how do you keep reading time fun all summer long?

Here are some ideas for any age group:


1. Create a fun reading area. It can be inside or outside, but make it special.


2. Read daily as a family. Pick one or two novels for the summer. You can take a family vote to decide.

3. Make weekly or biweekly trips to your local library and join their summer program, if available.


4. Set a summer reading goal as a family.


Here are some ideas for each age group:


Pre K - Early Elementary


1. Let your kids select books they want to read.


2. Set up a reading center based on a theme your child loves.


3. Find book clubs in your area or plan your own with some of your child’s friends.


Elementary

1. Have your child make a list of book topics they want to pursue.


2. Gather games and activities to go along with that topic.


3. Find book clubs in your area or a few friends to form your own weekly group.


4. Challenge your child to read a longer book by selecting one associated with a movie. Use the movie as a follow-up to completing the book.


Middle School


1. Host a book swap with friends.

2. Host a weekly or monthly book club with friends.


3. Have your child select a topic that interests them. Then, help them find titles to go along with that topic. Let them host a family "show-and-tell" at the end of summer so they can share what they’ve learned about their topic


4. Allow summer to be their time for free reading. Don’t dictate every book they must read.


High School


1. Host a weekly or monthly book club with friends.


2. Host a monthly book share with friends.


3. Create a reading list but let your teen select which titles to read over the summer.


4. Choose a book and read along with your teen. Then discuss the book as you go along.


Do you have summer reading ideas? We'd love to hear them. Share your thoughts and ideas with us on Facebook.

Summer Reading | Kansas City Public Library

Summer Reading Kansas City Public Library information is available now.  It doesn't start until June 1.

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.