The “Easy Make” Summer Reading Program
We all know reading is “good for us” but, for some kids, reading tastes like stale vitamins. For others, reading is candy…hidden in a plastic egg mysteriously disguised in some grassy hunt that requires an expert to locate.
Because helping kids find great books and love reading them is the goal, here are five easy steps to get everyone excited about reading (and all the resources mentioned in this article can be downloaded here for free.)
Set a Goal
We can’t cross a finish line we can’t see. In order to help your kids dive into reading this summer, talk with them about what sounds fun, reasonable, and maybe a little bit stretching about reading this summer. If you have younger readers (or non-readers) the conversation may be more around simply checking off books someone else reads them. For older readers, you can set either a page count goal or a goal of a certain number of books to read within a list of genres.
Whatever method you pick, but be sure to add a deadline so that everyone can keep the finish line in sight.
Find a Great Booklist
Lucky for you, we have a time-tested, kid-approved, free fabulous booklist here.
If you want to create your own, go for it—award winners, library booklists, curriculum guides, and teacher suggestions are all a good place to start. (You might also want to read this article for tips on picking books that build a love of reading.)
Get Some Books
With the advent of ereaders and smartphones, great books are pretty easy to come by thesedays. Some local libraries also offer self-contained audiobook packs you can check out, one book at a time. I find it’s easiest to reserve books in clumps of 10-20 if lots are on hold over the summer, that way the kids always have something great to read while they are waiting for their first choice to arrive.
And, if your library doesn’t have a book you want to read, suggest it! Most library websites have a link or contact feature for patrons to give book suggestions.
Check Them Off
Depending on how you designed your reading program, you may want a check-off sheet that lists titles and page counts, or you may just want a simple box to initial when the reader is done.
Win a Prize
We didn’t have a lot of money growing up—and, honestly, it didn’t take much to feel excited about a summer reading program. Some years it was as simple as getting to go out with Dad for an ice cream sundae date. Other years it was $5 to spend at the dollar store—which makes for a lot of treasures! Whatever the prize, the greatest reward will be helping your child find books that open up the world to him one page at a time.