Guest Blogger Rachael Walker is the Outreach Consultant for Reading Rockets, a national multimedia initiative which aims to inform and inspire parents, teachers, childcare providers, and others who touch the life of a child by providing comprehensive, accessible information on how to teach kids to read and help those who struggle. Rachael began her career in children’s literacy at Reading Is Fundamental (RIF), has also served as a consultant to the NEA’s Read Across America campaign, and was most recently the Executive Director of Reach Out and Read of Metro DC.
Summer’s getting so close now I can almost taste it. The garden is planted and soon we’ll be enjoying more than just the early lettuce. There’s plenty of fresh, tasty and nutritious food coming our way!
But its not only dietary pleasures we have to look forward to in the coming months. What books will be on the menu for summer reading this year? And what kind of experiences and activities will help serve up learning while school’s out?
We’ll see if my kids are as excited as I am about these ideas:
Start a neighborhood book club with other families. This is going on with fifth graders in our old neighborhood and I think it’s a great way to keep reading social and low-key. Kids and parents read the same book and parents help lead the discussion and plan activities. I think Carl Hiaasen’s Hoot is planned summer reading along with a trip to the park for a stream clean up. PBS Parents has a wonderful collection of tips on how to start a club and encourage great discussions.
Get a lot of take out—from our local library. Check out these 9 reasons you should too. While you’re there, look for some of the recommended titles in Reading Rockets Big Summer Read Booklist or AdLit.org’s Hot Summer Booklist.
Watch movies and TV. Come on, it is summer after all! There are many films adapted from children’s books and the rule in our house is you can’t watch the movie until you’ve read the book. Comparing films and books is just right to get kids (and adults) thinking critically. The Kids Off the Couch Web site pairs a recommended kids movie with similar family adventures within your community.
Where did I get these great ideas? Reading Rockets and AdLit.org have packed virtual beach bags that offer parents and educators a season’s worth of reading resources. You’ll be stuffed if you get to try even half of these this summer!
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