From book tastings to bingo to reading to an attentive dog, South Orangetown elementary school students and their families had a wealth of reading activities to choose from at Monday’s Family Literacy Extravaganza! The event, coordinated by K-5 Instructional Literacy Coach Kristy Nadler, was designed to inspire and support students to build on the gains they’ve made during the school year as readers and writers into the summer months.
Fifth-grader Jack S. and his Cottage Lane Elementary School ELA teacher Kathleen Early were busy promoting the Family 40-Book Summer Reading Challenge. Ms. Early’s students were challenged to read 40 books themselves during the school year and, at first, Jack was a reluctant participant. “I didn’t think I’d even get to 12,” he admitted, noting that participating in a class book club made him feel more accountable to classmates than reading on his own. “I’m motivated by competition and now I’m finishing my 42nd book. I’m proud of myself for completing the challenge.”
The Mighty 5 Orangetown Libraries were represented and encouraged families to register their children for this year’s summer reading program, themed “A Universe of Stories!” Here are some other tips and resources for families:
- Mrs. Tan’s Book Buffet inspired many students to pick books to read this summer. Watch last year’s projects presented for more book ideas for this summer: http://blogs.socsd.org/jtan/book-buffet/
- Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge: https://www.scholastic.com/parents/books-and-reading/reading-resources/developing-reading-skills/summer-reading-challenge-101-parents.html
- For our youngest readers, phonics instruction is very important. Games are a great way for parents to supplement this instruction in the summer. Here’s a link to free, downloadable phonics games for kindergartners and first-graders: https://www.playdoughtoplato.com/phonics-games/
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