Summer is a great time to relax and take a break from the grind of routines and homework. However, reading should never take a backseat. The more they read, the better prepared they will be for their next chapter in life.
To kick start summer reading, Orange County Virtual School (OCVS) teacher Mrs. Besuden put together a Summer Reading List for your family!
To view Mrs. Besuden’s recommendations and see what some of her favorite summer reads are, click here.
OCVS has also provided some fun and easy ways to keep children of any age on track for the next school year and incorporate these books into your summer fun.
Let them choose—within reason. Give them a handful of options from this list and/or their required reading list and have them be a part of the selection process. There is nothing worse than being forced to get through something with little or no enjoyment. If they have to read something they really don’t like, afterwards, reward them with something they do like—perhaps something entertaining like a comic book or fairy tale. Most reading lists have something for everyone—like The Hero’s Guide to Saving Your Kingdom by: C. Healy.
Set the timer. By setting aside time each day or week, the required reading will go by in a flash. Early in the summer, plan out the amount of books or chapters they must complete and stick to a schedule. Try not to wait until the last minute and try to complete required reading before vacations or trips so more time can be spent as a family and not playing catch up.
Location is everything. A dedicated reading corner can be just as effective as changing up the location to add variety. It might be fun to read The Magic Tree House series by Mary Pope Osbourne while sitting under a tree at the park or Nerd Camp by Elissa Brent Weissman by flashlight in a tent in the backyard.
Encourage reading aloud. Every now and then it will break up the monotony to have your child read to you or another sibling. This way everyone gets a chance to be involved in the story and there is some accountability that your child is actually reading and understanding the story.
Catch the flick. These days, most books have been made into movies, like Holes by Louis Sachar or Charlotte’s Web by E.B. White. It might be a nice reward to watch the movie together after the book has been completed. A discussion about the differences and similarities in each will demonstrate understanding of the text.
