Summer Reading Packet

Look inside to find:•Information on why summer reading is important•Incentives to encourage summer reading

No SchoolNo Schedules

Summer is a great time to:Relax with a book!

Summer

• Many students and families regard the summer break as just that – a break from school and other “requirements.” However, research shows that kids who never crack a book during their summer break fall behind in reading while kids who do, maintain their reading skills and even excel.

• Research has shown that “unless students read regularly during school breaks, they can fall behind three months in their reading achievement” (Scholastic Instructor May/June 2005).

• “Regardless of ethnicity, socioeconomic level, or previous achievement, children who read four or more books over the summer fare better on reading-comprehension tests in the fall than their peers who read one or no books over the summer.” Kim, Jimmy. “Summer Reading and the Ethnic Achievement Gap,” The Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk (2004).

• Set a goal together and encourage reading throughout the summer, with library visits, story time at home, and conversations about books. Let your child see you reading.

• Reading regularly could be the most beneficial activity your child participates in this summer. 

• PBS gives tips for encouraging summer reading: http://www.pbs.org/parents/experts/archive/2011/06/tips-for-encouraging-summer-re.html

Below are just a few examples of how reading over the summer makes a difference in a child’s development.

Summer reading incentives:

All of the programs listed below can be combined and used together!

• Molalla Public Library – see opposite page for more information.

• Scholastic – see attached information sheet.

• Barnes & Noble – just drop by the store to sign up to read and earn a free book or download a packet on-line by using a Google search and the words “Barnes and Noble summer reading.”

• Oregon Battle of the Books– There is no incentive for this program, however, summer is a great time to get started reading for this program. If your child will be in grades 3 – 5 they can join this competition that takes place at school during school hours. Visit their website for more information: oboblsta.pbworks.com

Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge:

If our school reads the most over the summer we could be in the

Guinness Book of World Records!1. Students sign up and log in at:

scholastic.com/summer2. On the page find the heading “Kids” and click on “join

now”3. Under “Read - Log Minutes - Win prizes” click “go now”4. Enter the following screen name and password written

below:Screen Name: Student Name: Password:

5. The next screen asks if you want to change your screen name – click “yes” to keep the password provided above. In the next screen use the user name and password written above. If you click no, you will be able to choose a new password – careful in choosing this step – if you lose your new password it can not be found for you!

• If you don’t have access to the internet – just keep track of how many minutes you read each day and return your sheet to school in September and your minutes will still count towards “Reading for the World Record.”

You could win a $25.00 gift card to Barnes & Noble(drawing will be June 7th, you must be present to win).

You can earn up to 4 tickets for the drawing!

1. Fill out a Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Journal (have your parents sign it and bring it to Mrs. Burke for a ticket).

2. Bring in a local library card with your name on it for a ticket.

3. Sign up for Scholastic’s Summer Reading Challenge on-line. You need to get log-in information from Mrs. Burke. If you don’t have a computer at home, see Mrs. Burke for help.

4. Fill out a “Read for the World Record!” Pledge sheet