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.
That is a wonderful program and it’s awesome that your kids love to read and are excited about earning more badges!
🙂
I think ideas like this really do encourage kids to keep reading. Scholastic is doing an awesome thing with this program.
I agree Liz!
This is great, my parents gave us a quarter everytime we finished a book, made us avid readers even into adulthood.
Oh wow, that is a great idea! I mean, what’s a quarter – well worth it!
this seems like such fun summer time fun! Sitting in the yard enjoying the weather and a good read would be great.
The best day spent!
Now that looks like a lot of fun! I loved reading when I was younger, it was a fun adventure with each new book!!!
So true!
What an awesome program! I love reading with my son ever day!
That’s awesome Meagan!
My 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.
Kids are so funny!
I love reading programs. This one looks like a lot of fun.
She loves it!
How fun. I love the idea of glow in the dark stickers in a tent.
Kids are so creative! lol
I am absolutely loving the theme of this year’s scholastic reading program. It looks like a great time was had by all!
🙂
Those are great books, some of my girls favorites. Love the idea of doing summer reading. Great post!
Thanks Kristin, We have quite the collection of childrens books!
I love this idea for encouraging reading during the summer! I need to get my daughter involved in a summer reading challenge.
For sure, she’d love it I’m sure!
What a great way to encourage reading and more quality time together as a family. Great idea!
🙂
A fun and great way to encourage reading! Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for reading, Ann – pun intended!! hahahha
This wiould be such a great program for me when my daughter starts reading
Agree!
I love Scholastic books, this sounds like a great way to get kids reading over the summer!
Absolutely!
I’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.
🙂
Awe, 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
Awe, perfect timing!!
My 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.
this 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
You are very welcome! 🙂
Good for her keeping up with reading! Too bad Harry potter isn’t open to Canadians though 🙁
I grew up loving to read! I hope my kids have the same love for books as I did.
We love our Scholastic books!
What a fun way to encourage reading! My kids would be all over using flashlights to read. They enjoy scholastic books all the time.
I love this!! My husband and I love reading and are always looking for ways to foster that love in our kids, too.
Fantastic!
I 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.
This is a really cool program. Wow! It would be interesting adjusting to sunlight until 11 PM.
Summers in Canada! 🙂
That looks like a ton of fun to me. I love reading a good book anytime!
I used to love doing summer reading challenges when I was a kid. It ‘s always fun to get wrapped up in a good book!
This is so much fun! I am a huge fan of summer reading programs!
what a fantastic program you need to encourage reading at a young age it open the world to them
i love this. reading is so important and with all the down time in the summer its a great family activity!
Our 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.
Reading 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.
I 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
I love this program. Is it just me, or is picking up and reading a book a lost art? I encourage it!!