Tips to keep kids reading all summer long! 

*Set Goals: Sit down with your child and set some summer reading goals together. Make sure your goals are realistic, and set up a reward system. For example, if she finishes three books, plan an incentive like going to get an ice cream cone.  Students whose parents are actively engaged in their summer reading tend to experience less learning loss.

*Choose the right books: When choosing the six, be sure that they are just right — not too hard and not too easy. Click the attached link to read about choosing "Good Fit" books!   Here is a Just Right Books Bookmark that you can download and print.  

*Read every day: Check out this summer reading Bingo board!  Download and print to see how many Bingos your child can get this summer.  There are a lot of ideas of ways students can engage in print each day over the summer.  They can also bring them back in the fall to go into a drawing for a new bike.  The Masons have again donated two bikes for us to give away in the fall!  Be sure to read below about how to get into the drawing! 

*Make Reading Fun!:  There are so many ways to make reading fun! The calendar will give you ideas!   Heading to the beach? Pack some books with you. Try going on a “reading picnic” in the park. Play games (see below) or puzzles together that will require your child to read words. Sing songs or nursery rhymes with younger ones.  Read road signs and other kinds of environmental print. 

*Go to the library: The Wells Public Library has a great summer reading program.  Be sure to check it out!  

*Check out Scholastic Summer  Read-a-Palooza 

*Earn a free book from Barnes and Noble! Check out their Summer Reading Program! 

*Start with a Book Summer Literacy Challenge

*Use Effective Questioning Strategies for Reading at Home

13 Fun Ways to Learn  Letter Sounds

Letters and Sounds: Practical Ideas for Parents

8 Fun Ways to Practice the Alphabet

Resources to Help Kids Learn About the Alphabet

Bikes for Books is a statewide program sponsored by the Grand Lodge of Masons in Maine and the Maine Masonic Charitable Foundation.   It is intended to foster literacy programs in local schools and encourage healthy exercise.

During 2021, Ocean Lodge No. 142 is working with Wells Elementary  School and will donate two bikes for our summer program.  This is our sixth year working with the Masons! 

Here is how you can enter!  In the fall, you will need to turn in ONE of the following;

1)  Get  Blackout on the Book Bingo board found above under Tips to Keep Kids Reading All Summer long.  That is 25 days over the entire summer! 

2)  Print and create a Summer Reading Journal (found below).   Share it with us in the fall to go into the drawing. 

3)  Complete the calendar for  your grade level for reading/math found on the Mathematics Summer Success page.  You must complete 25 out of the 50 days on the calendars. 

4) Join the Barnes and Noble Summer Reading Program.  Read and record 8 books and your favorite part of each.  Bring a copy of that reading journal to school in the fall to enter into the drawing.  

5) If you attend Summer Academy, Extended School Year, or any sort of tutoring, have you instructor sign off on the hours you spend there and bring that in to go into the drawing. 

*National Geographic For Kids

*Reading Rockets Weekly Tips for Parents

*Reading Rockets for Parents

*Reading Rockets Start With A Book

Scholastic Reading Home Base:  The Scholastic Summer Reading program offers kids an exciting, free, and safe summer reading experience, while helping to provide books to kids with limited or no access over the summer, keeping every child reading.

Keep a Summer Reading Journal:  Print the attached packet below.