Summer Reading Rocks!!!

I can remember as a child going to my local library and picking my summer book logs.  They had clocks on the front of the page, and for every hour I would read, I would color in a clock.  My mom would have to sign each clock verifying that I did read, and if I read a certain number of hours over the summer I would earn prizes from my library.  My friends and I would do this all summer long and look forward to turning in our book logs at the end of the summer to claim our prizes.  The great part about this program, is that it is still taking place at my same neighborhood library.

 Summer reading is crucial for all kids to continue their reading skills and keep their minds ticking during those long summer days.  Almost every library these days has some sort of summer reading program for kids, and I know Chicago libraries do too.    There are numerous opportunities throughout Chicagoland that offer great summer reading tips and programs for our kids, our job is to connect them to something.  Most schools send home information to parents about some summer reading programs in their neighborhoods, but let's reinforce this by giving our CGTP students some extra information to take home too.  What a great opportunity for you , as their tutor to have a special reading incentive program just between the two of you.  You could both see who can read the most books over the summer ( I know I would probably lose, but something like this might get me to even read more), your student would love the challenge to beat you at a reading competition.  Or find another way to make it more exciting for your student.  When you see each other again in September, there will be something even more to look forward to.

Check out some information about summer reading programs around the city and online:

http://www.chipublib.org/eventsprog/programs/kids_sumread.php

http://www.raz-kids.com/main/TeacherCorner/subpage/summer

http://www.scholastic.com/summerreading/index.htm

Take this opportunity to congratulate your student for all the hard work they have done this year.  By completing a summer reading program, not only will they feel ready for the next grade, but their minds will stay active and their reading skills will continue to improve all summer.  So as you wave your last goodbye to your student before summer break, don't let the reading stop at the door, we want to encourage our students to read for fun over the summer....all summer!