Summer is Here!

In this newsletter, find information about summer reading programs and tips on how to make the most of summertime to keep your kids learning even when they are taking a break.

Devote 20 minutes a day to reading. Keep it simple. Track that reading for the North Fairview Summer Reading Challenge or participate in the Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library Reading Program. Both are great ways to get rewards while keeping those brains working!

Find lots of information in the packet below for these programs. You will also find digital resources for finding books and learning activities for free, as well as information about free online accounts your student can access over the summer.

• Vooks: an online book service that reads the picture books to you, and also allows you to record your own voice reading the book. This can be great for kids to work on reading fluency, and it can also be perfect to send a book to grandma with the child reading. Parents could also record their own voice so kids can listen to them read when life gets busy.
• BookFlix: many fiction and nonfiction high interest books that kids will love to listen to and read.
• Mango Languages: learn a new language--they have over 70 to choose from.
• Keep exploring--the website has many more resources to connect kids and adults to learning from anywhere!

Make Reading Fun & Engaging

1. Let Them Choose - Choice is a powerful motivator for reading! Let them choose topics that interest then whether it's a graphic novel, fantasy, or nonfiction. They will all help students become better readers.

2. Choice Extends Beyond the Book - Give kids the option to pick when, where, and how they read. Let them read under the covers with a flashlight, outside in the shade, or cuddled up in a a chair to their favorite stuffed animal.

3. Read-Alouds and Audio Books - Mix it up with audiobooks or family led read-aloud sessions to make connections and give some variety.

Make Reading Part of Daily Life

1. Take Books Everywhere - It doesn't matter what, where, or when kids are reading. The important part is that they crack open a book and dive in. Keep a book in the car, pack one in your bag, use the State Library and public library to get ebooks to read anywhere on any device!

2. Be Consistent and Reward Progress - Set routines and expectations for how often your kid reads each week. Reward their progress by using a sticker chart, getting them a special copy of a book, or set fun incentives like a special outing for reaching reading milestones.

3. Visit the Library Often - The Topeka & Shawnee County Public Library is the best place to keep reading momentum going. Let kids explore the newest releases, join in events, and participate in the summer reading program. From the interactive dinosaur maze to the climbing wall in the kids' library, there is always some going on - for free - at the public library.

4. Find the Bookmobiles - Can't make it downtown to the library? Watch the bookmobiles to make it to a location near you. Find the schedule here.

Use Creativity and Build Other Skills

1. Practice writing - make sure your student can legibly write their first and last name.

2. Reading Art Journals - Have your kid keep a reading journal where they can sketch out their favorite character, summarize events in a chapter, or make connections between the story and their own life.

3. Access Free Resources - The public library and the state library both have great games and online activities for students to build reading, math, and other skills. ABCMouse and Creativebug are just two of the sites that kids will love!

4. Work on Life Skills - Can they tie their shoes? Tell someone their address and parents' phone number? Keep their room organized? Have a conversation about a problem they have faced? Summer is the perfect time to develop kids into more responsible humans!

Mrs. Kim Patton

North Fairview Librarian

kpatton@usd345.com