Right now, communities are bursting with summer reading programs for kids. Our city library has one. Why? To prevent the drop in literacy over the summer months – since it does happen. Teachers spend an average of 4-6 weeks re-reaching material that students have lost during the summer. That doesn’t mean summer school is the answer guys, it just takes reading 4-5 books over the summer, to prevent the decline in a child’s reading scores.
In a previous post I shared details on the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge. It’s a free online program to get kids reading this summer, in a very fun and motivating way.
Thanks to Scholastic, we got a package filled with items to indeed – read under the stars. This year’s Summer Reading theme is Reading Under the Stars, and is powered by EVEREADY®, the maker of batteries and flashlights, to encourage families to discover new and fun ways to explore reading outside this summer.
We brought out these items when my kids friends were over one day, and a little reading party of our own – to introduce some new books from Scholastic and encourage literacy.
We laid out our picnic blanket, an assortment of books, and though it was light out at the time, they each got an EVEREADY flashlight.
It’s funny how the kids were trying to use the flashlights to read, even in the summer sun. It doesn’t get dark here until about 11pm, so we had to make-do.
In our package we also got some constellation charts, poster, glow-in-the-dark bookmarks and certificates for the kids, as celebrations for their reading efforts.
The kids did some reading, which was a nice break from the running and playing in the sun. It was a perfect way to cool down, and do a new activity for a while.
My daughter had a great idea of using our backyard tents with a blanket over them, to make it dark enough to read with the flashlights. Then, she put the glow in the dark sticker stars to the underside of the tent. I love that she has figured out a way to read under the stars, despite the summer sun. Ha!
In actuality, she loves flashlights in general and is always looking for an opportunity to use them when at home or out camping. It’s nice that these are now motivators of reading! In fact, I’ve caught her a few times, way past bedtime and under her blankets with a book and a flashlight. I can’t get too mad – it is summer and she is just reading after all!
During the school year, my daughter has a monthly goal of reading 400 minutes each month. Though it’s not a hard goal to reach, you do have school all day plus dinner and activities so some months it’s difficult to make the goal. Now, during the summer, this goal is easily met with just a small portion of each day reserved for reading. The Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge makes it fun, she loves to collect the badges and wants to help break the 2013 world record of 176 million summer minutes read {we’re almost there with 171 million!}.
I’m amazed that she’s read this many minutes so far {when really, school and activities have only been out for a week now}, and wants break her own record for the upcoming month. She wants to double that number!
She’s earned one badge so far yet wants to add at least 2 more as soon as she can.
When you unlock badges, you can enter to win books. Yet, she was very disappointed to learn that she couldn’t enter to win a set of Harry Potter books {which she wants so bad}, as it’s for US residents only. Hopefully next year they allow Canadians to fully participate in the entire program.
The Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge is free and is so fun for kids. For bookworms to those needing that extra incentive to pick up a book now and then, this program is great for encouraging literacy over summer break.
Either solo or with friends {here’s a digital invite to host your own party}, I encourage you and your kids to grab that flashlight and read under the stars – real ones or in makeshift tents if you wish.
To learn more:
- Like Scholastic Parent on Facebook
- Follow Scholastic on Twitter and Instagram
- Follow the Summer Reading Challenge Pinterest Board
- Like the Summer Reading Challenge YouTube Playlist
- Follow the hashtag #SummerReading on social media
Disclosure: This is a sponsored post yet as always, opinions are my own.
Robin says
07/07/2014 at 8:45 amThat is a wonderful program and it’s awesome that your kids love to read and are excited about earning more badges!
Tammi says
07/08/2014 at 6:53 am🙂
Liz Mays says
07/07/2014 at 10:08 amI think ideas like this really do encourage kids to keep reading. Scholastic is doing an awesome thing with this program.
Tammi says
07/08/2014 at 6:53 amI agree Liz!
Aneta says
07/07/2014 at 10:48 amThis is great, my parents gave us a quarter everytime we finished a book, made us avid readers even into adulthood.
Tammi says
07/08/2014 at 6:54 amOh wow, that is a great idea! I mean, what’s a quarter – well worth it!
susan says
07/07/2014 at 11:02 amthis seems like such fun summer time fun! Sitting in the yard enjoying the weather and a good read would be great.
Tammi says
07/08/2014 at 6:54 amThe best day spent!
Kelsey Apley says
07/07/2014 at 11:33 amNow that looks like a lot of fun! I loved reading when I was younger, it was a fun adventure with each new book!!!
Tammi says
07/08/2014 at 6:54 amSo true!
Meagan says
07/07/2014 at 12:36 pmWhat an awesome program! I love reading with my son ever day!
Tammi says
07/08/2014 at 6:54 amThat’s awesome Meagan!
LauraOinAK says
07/07/2014 at 2:34 pmMy boys read a LOT throughout the year, but especially in the summer. Funny how the kids used a flashlight when it was so bright outside.
Tammi says
07/08/2014 at 6:55 amKids are so funny!
Ellen says
07/07/2014 at 3:18 pmI love reading programs. This one looks like a lot of fun.
Tammi says
07/08/2014 at 6:55 amShe loves it!
Diane says
07/07/2014 at 3:54 pmHow fun. I love the idea of glow in the dark stickers in a tent.
Tammi says
07/08/2014 at 6:55 amKids are so creative! lol
Angela S says
07/07/2014 at 3:57 pmI am absolutely loving the theme of this year’s scholastic reading program. It looks like a great time was had by all!
Tammi says
07/08/2014 at 6:56 am🙂
kristin says
07/07/2014 at 4:19 pmThose are great books, some of my girls favorites. Love the idea of doing summer reading. Great post!
Tammi says
07/08/2014 at 6:56 amThanks Kristin, We have quite the collection of childrens books!
Jenn says
07/07/2014 at 4:29 pmI love this idea for encouraging reading during the summer! I need to get my daughter involved in a summer reading challenge.
Tammi says
07/08/2014 at 6:57 amFor sure, she’d love it I’m sure!
Jennifer says
07/07/2014 at 4:38 pmWhat a great way to encourage reading and more quality time together as a family. Great idea!
Tammi says
07/08/2014 at 6:57 am🙂
Ann Bacciaglia says
07/07/2014 at 4:41 pmA fun and great way to encourage reading! Thanks for sharing.
Tammi says
07/08/2014 at 6:58 amThanks for reading, Ann – pun intended!! hahahha
Kristine Ewald says
07/07/2014 at 5:07 pmThis wiould be such a great program for me when my daughter starts reading
Tammi says
07/08/2014 at 6:57 amAgree!
Mama to 5 BLessings says
07/07/2014 at 6:12 pmI love Scholastic books, this sounds like a great way to get kids reading over the summer!
Tammi says
07/08/2014 at 6:58 amAbsolutely!
Rebekah says
07/07/2014 at 6:33 pmI’ve always been a huge reader, and I would have been all about a summer reading party! This looks like a great program to encourage summer reading.
Tammi says
07/08/2014 at 6:59 am🙂
Shauna says
07/07/2014 at 6:41 pmAwe, how cute… Just before coming to your blog I was spending time helping my Little Man with his first chapter book. I try to be encouraging and get him books that will make him want to continue reading, but he just gets to bored… LOL so frustrating. I could read all day and night
Tammi says
07/08/2014 at 7:00 amAwe, perfect timing!!
Pam says
07/07/2014 at 6:50 pmMy daughter is 21 and still loves reading under the stars with a flashlight. This looks like a great way to encourage reading. I like logging the minutes.
CrazyMom a/k/a Melanie says
07/07/2014 at 6:56 pmthis sure sounds like a great summertime activity…. we love reading during the summer, I soo have to check it out. Thanks for letting me know about this
Tammi says
07/08/2014 at 7:00 amYou are very welcome! 🙂
Lindsay T says
07/07/2014 at 7:14 pmGood for her keeping up with reading! Too bad Harry potter isn’t open to Canadians though 🙁
Amy Desrosiers says
07/07/2014 at 7:27 pmI grew up loving to read! I hope my kids have the same love for books as I did.
Francine says
07/07/2014 at 7:52 pmWe love our Scholastic books!
Amber Edwards says
07/07/2014 at 8:26 pmWhat a fun way to encourage reading! My kids would be all over using flashlights to read. They enjoy scholastic books all the time.
Christi says
07/07/2014 at 8:36 pmI love this!! My husband and I love reading and are always looking for ways to foster that love in our kids, too.
Tammi says
07/08/2014 at 7:01 amFantastic!
Dede says
07/07/2014 at 9:08 pmI teach middle schoolers and want to give you a HUG for promoting reading in the summer!! It’s so tough to get kids back into the groove when school starts. Anytime they keep up the reading practice over break, it’s sure to help.
Sarah Marturano says
07/07/2014 at 9:25 pmThis is a really cool program. Wow! It would be interesting adjusting to sunlight until 11 PM.
Tammi says
07/08/2014 at 6:59 amSummers in Canada! 🙂
tammileetips says
07/07/2014 at 9:48 pmThat looks like a ton of fun to me. I love reading a good book anytime!
Mindy Grant says
07/07/2014 at 10:42 pmI used to love doing summer reading challenges when I was a kid. It ‘s always fun to get wrapped up in a good book!
AImee Smith says
07/07/2014 at 10:53 pmThis is so much fun! I am a huge fan of summer reading programs!
kathy downey says
07/08/2014 at 6:18 amwhat a fantastic program you need to encourage reading at a young age it open the world to them
candice says
07/08/2014 at 7:00 ami love this. reading is so important and with all the down time in the summer its a great family activity!
Carole M. says
07/08/2014 at 7:29 amOur whole family is doing the summer reading program through the library this year, and we’re all having a lot of fun with it. While we love (love) that the kids are loving reading each day, sometimes as adults we also need reminders to slow down and take time to read too.
stellar says
07/11/2014 at 5:14 pmReading is always a challenge for boys who’d rather bike and play outdoors. I do however like the idea reading under the stars. The flashlights are a great idea to keep the boys’ interest. Thanks for sharing.
DARLENE W says
07/13/2014 at 5:51 pmI read to the grandkids whenever they come over for a visit. I sometimes get the older ones to take turns reading to the younger ones
Debbie W says
07/17/2014 at 7:50 amI love this program. Is it just me, or is picking up and reading a book a lost art? I encourage it!!