Studies have found that an average student forgets up to one month of instruction during the summer months. Many teachers will admit that the first four to six weeks of a new school year is spent bringing students back to where they were at the end of the previous school year. It's called the "summer slide" and there is something you can do to help your kids avoid it.
Research indicates that reading is the most influential factor related to summer learning; children that read more not only read better, but they also write, spell and comprehend better, have larger vocabularies and use better grammar. They display sharper verbal skills, score higher on tests, and have higher self-esteem. Furthermore, giving children an opportunity to listen to or independently read books of interest to them helps provide them with a foundation for further learning and helps instill a love of reading, which will encourage them to engage in the activity more often.
Our local libraries are the perfect place to encourage your child to read more this summer. They have a fantastic line-up of free events and activities planned for the upcoming months to enhance your child's reading experience while at the same time providing academic gains and keeping kids busy and entertained. Summer reading programs are a great way to help reduce your child's summer learning loss.
Local Programs:
Reading with the Rays: Pick up a game card at your local HCPLC library. Keep track of the hours you read and collect Rays rewards along the way: Reading with the Rays Poster featuring Evan Longoria, Reading with the Rays Jelly Bracelet, Evan Longoria Arm Sleeve & Official Reading with the Rays Certificate. One (1) ticket to a Rays home game.
Hillsborough County Public Schools:
รขหโฆAlso includes links to summer reading lists, myOn, & more!
รขหโฆAlso includes links to summer reading lists, myOn, & more!
Hillsborough County Public Library Cooperative:
- Kids
- Teens
- Adults
- TEENS ~ SPARK A REACTION, WIN AN IPAD Beginning June 9, teens can pick up a SPARK card at any public library. Complete tasks this summer such as attend a library program, download an eBook, or read a book. Turn your completed SPARK card in for a chance to win an iPad! For grades 6 to 12. Funded by the Friends of the John F. Germany Public Library.
- Adult Summer Reading Contest Read and submit at least 3 book reviews for books of your choice between June 8 - August 2, 2014. These reviews may appear on the Adult Summer Reading Blog. Prizes: iPad Mini, $100 Barnes and Noble Gift Card & $50 Barnes and Noble Gift Card
- Suggested Summer Reading: Grades K - 2 Grades 3-5
- Suggested Summer Reading: Grade 6 Grade 7 Grade 8 Grades 9-12
There are TONS of Hillsborough County Public Library summer reading programs this summer. Find all of the local library summer reading events & activities on our calendar.
Florida Department of Education: Just Read, Families! is a summer reading program which provides parents with information about actively reading with their children during the summer months. Join the Summer Literacy Adventure 2014 or check out the 2014 Summer Recommended Reading List.
National Summer Reading Programs:
American Girl Read-a-palooza: Get into books with American Girl This summer, are you excited to escape into a story? Or learn about yourself and the world around you? American Girl can prep you for pages of fun with ideas, quizzes, events, and more!
Bad Kitty Book Club: Sign up for the BRAND NEW Bad Kitty Book Club, where parents will get exclusive updates, information about Nick Bruel's bestselling series for kids aged 7-10 years old, fun games and activities, and much more at www.badkittybooks.com/club.
Florida Department of Education: Just Read, Families! is a summer reading program which provides parents with information about actively reading with their children during the summer months. Join the Summer Literacy Adventure 2014 or check out the 2014 Summer Recommended Reading List.
National Summer Reading Programs:
American Girl Read-a-palooza: Get into books with American Girl This summer, are you excited to escape into a story? Or learn about yourself and the world around you? American Girl can prep you for pages of fun with ideas, quizzes, events, and more!
Bad Kitty Book Club: Sign up for the BRAND NEW Bad Kitty Book Club, where parents will get exclusive updates, information about Nick Bruel's bestselling series for kids aged 7-10 years old, fun games and activities, and much more at www.badkittybooks.com/club.
Barnes & Noble Summer Reading: Read any 8 books and record them in the Reading Journal
Bring the completed Reading Journal to your local B&N store. Choose a FREE BOOK from our selection on the Reading Journal list at the store... Enjoy reading!
Chuck E. Cheese Reading Rewards Calendar: Read every day for two weeks and earn 10 tokens *In addition CEC offers many other Rewards Calendars
Junie B. Jones Kids' Reading Club: New Reading Club members will receive a FREE Starter Set including Junie B. Jones and the Stupid Smelly Bus—the first book in the New York Times bestselling series—and a Junie B. checklist bookmark (while supplies last).
PBS Kids: Wondering what to do with your child today? Whether you’re at home, at school, or out running errands, use the Reading Activity Calendar to find fun, simple ways to make reading a part of your every day life. Flip through the calendar for ideas, activities, and silly holidays to celebrate together
PBS Kids: Wondering what to do with your child today? Whether you’re at home, at school, or out running errands, use the Reading Activity Calendar to find fun, simple ways to make reading a part of your every day life. Flip through the calendar for ideas, activities, and silly holidays to celebrate together
Pizza Hut- Book It: Register for the program. Once your child reads five books they will be eligible for a chance to win a prize. Read five books and complete the Instagram contest to enter for a chance to win the Grand Prize
Pottery Barn Kids Summer Reading Challenge (Hyde Park Location): Encourage your little one's love of reading all summer long! Kids who read any eight titles from the pbk recommended book list by July 31st will receive a free book, while supplies last.
Scholastic Summer Challenge: Read & log minutes all summer. Take weekly challenges
& earn virtual rewards. Help set a new reading world record! You can also download the FREE APP: Scholastic Reading Timer - Time reading minutes with an interactive stopwatch and track them on a weekly log. Plus, parents can check children’s reading activity in addition to browsing daily tips, articles and book lists.
Sylvan Book Adventure: Book Adventure is a fun, free way to motivate your child to read! Kids in grades K-8 can search for books, read them offline, come back to quiz on what they’ve read, and earn prizes for their reading success.
Happy Reading!
As always, if you know of any other programs to add to this list, comment below or email the details to catherinef@macaronikid.com
Like this article? Macaroni Kid Brandon is full of useful local information like this PLUS find great family-friendly events on our event calendar.
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