Tips for Summer Reading

TIPS & THOUGHTS for SUMMER READING

Summer is here, and it’s a time to slow down busy schedules and relax with family, friends, and interesting activities. One way this can be done is by opening the door to summer reading. Summer reading is an opportunity for everyone to explore special interests and curiosities. Summer reading can be enjoyed as an individual and can also be enjoyed with friends and family.

Here are a few thoughts and tips regarding summer reading:

v Start by creating your own personal summer reading list. Jot down your own areas of interest and the types of books that you would like to read. If you have specific titles, include them in your list. Your list might include a new book that you saw at a local bookstore, a book that you started but never finished, and even categories of books like funny books, long books, short books, books my mother or father probably read when he/she was my age. Remember, have fun creating your list, and customize it to your own interests.

v Now visit the middle school summer reading lists, and highlight those titles that appeal to you. Add those titles and perhaps authors to your personal summer reading list.

v Set aside a time each day for reading. This may be frequent shorter periods or a longer stretch. Perhaps on a steamy hot day a book in the cool indoors will be a welcomed relief. If you miss a day, make up for it the next day! Develop weekly, monthly, and summer reading goals, which may be set by the number of pages, hours, or even the number of books! Try to include the whole family in family summer reading goals. Try sharing a goal with a friend. This goal can lead to many happy, shared conversations and fun times.

v Do visit the public library on a regular basis. Pamper yourself with the gift of time --- time to sit and read some of the magazines and books of the library, time to go “title shopping’” in the aisles and library displays, time to check in with our town librarians (they are an immense help), and time to check out some reading materials for the next few days. On your trips to the library, bring along a friend, parent, brother or sister, grandparent, and/or neighbor.

v Parents and children might also have fun exploring together internet reading resources. Going away on vacation? Why not serf the net for information regarding your destination? No matter what time you rise and shine, it may be fun to read the weather forecast or check out the word of the day online. If you have just finished reading a book, go to the site of an online bookstore (like amazon.com), type in the title of your book, click on its image and read a few “kid reviews” about the book. Amazon also provides a list of titles for “those who have enjoyed this book, you may want to try…” You can even type in an author’s name and find out more about a favorite author.

v Summer can also be a time to start exploring the newspaper. Have your bowl of cereal with the front page of a newspaper. This will let you know what’s going on in our world and may also lead to some great conversations with family and friends. You may even want to start a newspaper scrapbook. Simply, cut out and save your selected newspaper articles and tape them into a notebook. If a notebook isn’t handy, try an empty shoebox as a storehouse for your selections. At the end of the summer, you will be amazed by your selections and about how much you know. This scrapbook activity can be done if you are reading electronically --- just cut and paste into a “Summer Newspaper Collection File!” If you are reading an electronic newspaper, have fun creating an electronic scrapbook of some favorite articles.

v Reflect on what you are reading. Some people like to jot down in a journal (notebook) some thoughts about the books and articles that they read. Some people enjoy talking about their thoughts with others. Some people simply like to sit and think about what they have read. In any case, this reflection time is very important. Here are some questions you can respond to in your reflection:

Þ What did I notice about this book?

Þ How did I feel at different parts of this book? Why?

Þ What puzzled me about this book?

Þ What might I now want to read more about? Learn more about?

Þ Were the characters important? Which one(s)?

Þ What events of the story seem to stand out? How did I feel about the conflicts?

Þ Was the ending satisfactory? What was its effect on the main character?

Þ What greater insight or understandings do I now have having read this book?

v Remember, the time spent reading equates into several things:

Þ Greater success in reading as your comprehension and vocabulary skills improve! This, of course, means a stronger back to school start in the fall.

Þ A positive attitude toward reading!

Þ Greater knowledge of our world and ourselves!

Þ Opportunity for a worthwhile life experience!

We look forward to seeing you in the fall and to sharing our summer reading experiences with each other.

Keep reading! Enjoy the summer!