Avoid the "Summer Slide"

As the summer months approach, please encourage your children to continue reading.
Experts agree that children who read during the summer months keep their reading skills sharp and are better prepared for the challenges of the next grade level.  Please read through the following summer reading tips:
1.  Lead by example.  Read the newspaper at breakfast, pick up a magazine at the doctor's office, and stuff a paperback in your beach bag.  If children see the adults around them reading often, they will understand that literature can be a fun and important part of their summer days.
2.  Talk it up.  Talking with your children about about what you have read also lets them know that reading is an important part of your life.  Tell them why you liked a book, what you learned from it, or how it helped you - soon they might do the same.
3.  Help children find time to read.  Summer camp, music lessons, baseball games, and videos are all fun things kids like to do during the summer.  However, by the end of the day, children may be too tired to pick up a book.  When planning summer activities with children, remember to leave some time in their schedules for reading.  Some convenient times may be before bedtime or over breakfast.
4.  Relax the rules for summer.  During the school year, children have busy schedules and often have required reading for classes.  Summer is a time when children can read what, when, and how they please.  Don't set daily minute requirements or determine the number of pages they should read.  Instead, make sure they pick up books for fun and help find ways for them to choose to read on their own.  You may even want to make bedtime a little bit later if you find that your child can't put down a book.
5.  Have plenty of reading material around.  Books aren't the only things that kids can read for fun.  Be sure to have newspapers, magazines, and informational material on hand that might spark the interest of a young reader.
6.  Use books to break the boredom.  Without the regular school regimen, adults and kids need more activities to fill the hours.  Books that teach kids how to make or do something are a great way to get kids reading and keep them occupied.  Don't forget to take our kids' favorite books along on long road trips.
7.  Read aloud with kids.  Take your children to see a local storyteller at the library or be one yourself.  The summer months leave extra time for enthusiastic read-alouds with children no matter what their age.  Don't forget to improvise different voices or wear a silly hat to make the story that much more interesting!
8.  Library access.  Go to the local public library and get a library card for your child.  Local libraries usually offer reading lists and sponsor summer contests as well.

Please view the following websites for more wonderful summer reading ideas:
www.readinghorizons.com
www.scholastic.com/summer

Have a wonderful summer and READ! READ! READ!

Kite Flight for Reading and Sight

     North Elementary will be participating in the 8th annual Kite Flight for Reading and Sight sponsored by the Lions Club. The contest will be held January 30-April 27, 2012.  Students are asked to read at home and record the number of minutes read each week on a monthly reading calendar signed by a parent/guardian.  Reading can be done any day during the week, but DAILY reading is the goal.
     On Saturday, April 28, bring the official Home Reading Chart (teachers will provide this chart) to the Lions Club Flight for Reading and Sight Kite Festival at the Cedar Middle School field next to Discovery Park beginning at 10:00 am.  All students who turn in their completed reading chart will receive a free kite.
     Other family fun festivities include a kite flying competition, food, bouncers, Home Depot crafts, K-9 demonstrations, and visits with local policemen and firemen.
                                          Kite Flying Competition Information
     This year's theme is "I Love to Read".  No registration fee is required to join the competition.  There will be three categories to participate and win great prizes in.  Judging will begin at 1:00 pm.
     1.  Best homemade kite.
     2.  The kite that stays in the air the longest.
     3.  Judges choice; family participation.
     Schools with the most Reading Charts turned in will receive a donation from the Lions Club.  The class from each school with the highest participation will receive a pizza party.  After the festival, additional drawings from the redeemed reading charts will be held at each school for other prizes (MP3 player, etc).
      Remember to read every day, record the amount of minutes read, and participate in a fun family festival on April 28, 2012.