Friday, June 19, 2015

Summer Reading Plans!!


Woohoo!!  Summer is finally here!!

I know that I am not the only one excited for the summer and all the reading that it comes with.  At least one of my two children is as well.  The other is slowly growing on the idea though.  Since we have been dismissed for the year, I have had multiple people ask me our plans for the summer, particularly in regards to reading.  I thought this would be a better place than any to share those amazing summer reading plans.

FOR THE KIDS

I have my kids jammed with reading fun!  Earlier this week, I presented them with their reading binder to kick off the summer.  But before we get to what's included in that binder, I have to admit that they started a little early with . . . .

The Scholastic Summer Reading Program!

If you have not yet heard about this program, I have to brag about it for just a moment.  Kids log the number of minutes they read each day.  If they meet the weekly goal set by Scholastic, they can then spin the wheel for a cool literary badge to add to their collection.  In addition, they can compete in chapter challenges to earn free chapters to all the popular Scholastic books.  And, my favorite addition to the program this year is the new stories written by Scholastic authors that are released about every week.  We have been reading these together and absolutely adore them.  And, they come with an audio option!  Scholastic also keeps a running tally of minutes for everyone participating, and my kids adore seeing how much this number grows every time we log in.

In addition to the Scholastic Summer Reading Program, my kids are also participating in the Barnes and Noble Summer Reading program as well as our local library's summer program.  The former has kids record the number of books read with their recommendation.  The latter has chosen to go another direction and reward kids instead on how many times they visit their local library . . . because reading is a reward in and of itself!

I have also printed off these Summer Reading Logs for each of my children to keep track of all their books read this summer, and encouraging each child to complete a book report for at least five books read.  I have also provided them with a fun reading challenge scavenger hunt, if they so choose to participate.

Last, but not least, I am continuing with their reading incentive program that I implement during the school year.  For every thirty minutes read, I give them one ticket.  They can also earn tickets by cleaning their rooms once a week.  They can cash in their tickets for electronic time (1 ticket = 30 minutes of electronics) or for a book from the bookstore (10 tickets = 1 book).  I had to add this latter incentive because my daughter's tickets were overflowing and she prefers books over electronics!

FOR ME

I really have no particular plans for my summer reading . . . just doing a lot of it!  I am co-hosting a reading challenge through one of my online book groups to help in expanding people's reading, but most of my books on my unpacked TBR will cover the categories.  I honestly just look forward to reading at every opportunity that I get, with or without my children by my side!

I am seriously considering a book-buying ban for the summer though because my TBR seems to have exploded the last couple of months.  My only concern is that I am really anticipating Go Set a Watchman this summer.  And, I just found out that there is going to be a local author event with Jamie Ford that I really want to attend.  Then, I see that there is a readalong for Atlas Shrugged.  Maybe I will allow myself three exceptions for these three special circumstances.  The question is . . . Will I have the power to limit myself to those three exceptions only?!?

Do you have any special plans for yourself or your family for summer reading?  Any books that you are excited about reading this summer?

10 comments:

  1. I really wish my kids liked to read. Makes me sad. The forced reading logs in school killed it for both of them. My daughter has a summer reading book for 7th grade and I chose Where You Reach Me and it's gonna be hard just to get her to read that.

    Me? I want to do a summer reading post after production week ends but really, Atlas Shrugged is like 1200 pages. Will I read much else? I wonder.

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    1. Ti ... I think the reading logs and AR tests is what has affected my son's desire to read this year. We didn't have any issues until this year in school.

      I didn't realize that Atlas Shrugged was such a chunkster. I might see if I can get my hands on a copy at the library this week. I will keep you posted.

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  2. My plans are pretty flexible. Three books in my crosshairs for the Estella Project Season 3, and I'm super excited about Go Set a Watchman. Other than that, we'll see!

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    1. Andi ... Do you plan to buy Go Set a Watchmen right away? I think I might!

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  3. I'm doing the Books on the Nightstand's summer book bingo. Each square has a different category or book theme to read and I'm trying to pick books that I already own or that have been on my TBR forever. Andi mentioned Go Set a Watchman and I'm looking forward to reading that and perhaps re-eading To Kill a Mockingbird first. We'll see. I'm great at making plans, but other books come along and change my priorities!

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    1. Chris Wolak ... That bingo game sounds fun! You know, I recently re-read To Kill a Mockingbird, and it was completely worth it. I enjoyed and appreciated it more the second time around.

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  4. My library has some kind of summer reading program that adults can join in, which I beLIEVE supplies you with a tote bag. All my current tote bags are getting old and raggedy from all the books I tote around in them, so I could use a new one. :p

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    1. Jenny @ Reading the End ... You know, I never checked to see if my library has an adult program. I need to do that!

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  5. If you haven't read Atlas Shrugged yet then you must participate in that readalong. Now that you mention it, I might have to join in myself, but I'm late on this post and it's probably already over.....

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    1. Allison @ The Book Wheel ... I actually just joined it a couple days late! I've started the book, but only a little ways in. My reading is VERY slow these days. :(

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