Summer Reading Opportunities
Summer vacation is coming up fast, and along with the promise of fun and sun comes the warning of the dreaded "summer slide."
How do we fight students losing important academic ground during the less structured days of summer? Easy as ABC! In order to help keep their brains in shape, experts agree that reading is the best weapon in the fight against the summer slide. Just 20 minutes of reading a day can help students have a better start to the next school year.
The best part is, there are so many different (free!) programs that can help get your child amped up for reading this summer. Below you can find all the opportunities, as well as the links for further information.
The Cedar Falls Public Library will once again host their outstanding summer program. The program is for all ages (adults included!). Read 600 minutes, complete 6 out of 8 weekly challenges, and you qualify to win great prizes. Also, students can earn a free book for 3 weekly visits to the library. After earning one free book, 3 more visits earn another free book. Registration for the program begins on June 5.
Also: The CFPL is having a contest to see which school can have the highest percentage of their student population participate in the summer reading program. The winner gets a traveling trophy which would stay at the winning school for the school year.
The Waterloo Public Library will also be hosting a summer program this year, with slightly different activities. Click on the link for a calendar of events and registration information.
MackinVia is a great free resource offered to us by our AEA. We currently have a collection of about 1,500 eBooks and audiobooks that can be read online or dowloaded through the (free) MackinVia app. The I Want to Read website offers reading/writing journal, activities, and ebooks for students to continue reading over the summer. Contact Mrs. Newgard for the login information to MackinVia, if your student doesn't remember.
Students earn a free book by reading and filling out the reading journal online. NO PURCHASE NECESSARY! Journals can be acquired at B&N Store, or printed online from the link above.
Waterloo Bucks Summer Reading Program
Students will get a scorecard at the school. For every 25 minutes they read, a parent/guardian initials a ball on the scorecard. For every 10 baseballs initialed, students earn prizes from the Bucks. Students who participate will earn a free ticket to their reader recognition night game. Scorecards will be sent home this last week of school with students, or they can be printed from the link above.
Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge
Students can work to set a world record of reading minutes by logging their minutes on the Scholastic website (registration required). The website has a lot of different activities, plus bonus short stories by favorite authors that can be unlocked by participating in different activities.
We will keep you posted of any other opportunities that we learn about throughout the summer. We hope that you and your family can participate in at least one of these great programs!
*Thank you to Mrs. Ahrens at Cedar Heights for compiling this awesome list!*
