Vivian here to talk with you today about summer reading: thoughts, ideas, and reading-related projects. School has been out for a week and a half already in our neck of the woods, so summer reading is already very much on my mind. The kids have made lists of the books they want to read this summer and we've visited our local library and signed up for their summer reading program. I also printed out copies of the Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Journal and the kids have started to fill those out. (Free books people, free books. Just sayin'...:))
Last summer I made summer reading lists for my kids to fill out and they loved them. So...I decided to make lists for them again this summer:
These were super easy to make. I started by choosing three of my favorite fonts (Dock 11, Pacifico, and LD This and That), typed three words, and added a numbered list with blank lines. After that I dug into my stash to find reading-themed patterned papers. I changed the colors of the words to match the patterned papers and printed the lists out on white cardstock. I added a 1.75" wide strip of patterned paper at the top of each list and a .75" wide strip of patterned paper at the bottom. Done! I already know I'll have to make each of my kids a second list (and, hopefully, a third!), but that will be easy as I've saved my template.
After making the lists I had all of this lovely patterned paper strewn across my desk, so I decided to create some layouts about the summer reading experience thus far:
Okay, now that I've shared some projects, here are some summer reading ideas, some reading and scrapbook-related, some just reading-related:
- Read to your kids. Have your kids read to you. Take pictures while you do this (or have someone else take pictures) and use them on a scrapbook page.
- Write stories, or get your kids to write stories, and then read your stories to each other. (If your kids aren't old enough to write, write for them and then have them illustrate their stories.) Create a no-photo layout using one of your stories in place of a photo.
- If you haven't already done so, check to see whether your local library offers a summer reading program. If they do, sign up! While you're at it, check to see if there are any special summer events. I bet there are! (Even if they only have summer reading programs for kids, no one says you can't play along as well, even if you're not eligible for prizes!) While you're at it, check with your local independent bookstore(s) to see whether they offer a summer reading program and/or any summer events. Take pictures while you are there and signing up and make a layout about it, or, better yet, a mini-album including a page for each book read across the summer.
- If you have a Barnes & Noble near you, go back up to the top of this post, download the Summer Reading Journal, and get started! (Remember how I said "free books" up there?)
- Read these two blog posts I've written across the last few months in which I recommend books for children: Cool Books for Kids, Round One and Cool Books for Kids, Round Two.
- Use reading as travel. Pick a country you've never been to (or a state, province, region, etc.) and look for a book that provides an overview of that country and a cookbook with recipes from that country. Travel by reading, looking at pictures, and cooking and eating. To round out your experience, see if you can find a work of fiction set there as well and/or a book designed to teach basic phrases in the language spoken there. You could even make a flyer, or have your kids make a flyer, to announce/advertise your "trip." Take pictures of your "trip" and make a layout or a mini-album about it.
- Don't get hung up on fiction. There's so much more out there! Pick up a biography, a colorful encyclopedia with great illustrations, a how-to book, an atlas, etc.
- Tie reading to family movie night. Pick a book that's been made into a movie and have everyone read the book before watching the movie. Vote on whether the book or movie is better. Complain about how they are different.Take pictures of everyone reading the book and watching the movie and create a layout about the experience. Don't forget to include the voting results and/or a list of complaints!
- If you have a reluctant reader, or an emerging reader, encourage him or her with incentives. Check out the coupon pack I made my reluctant-reader daughter last summer. (She is now a voracious reader. I'd like to think the coupons helped with that. :))
- Stop before reading the last chapter or the ending of a book. Write your own ending. Read the actual ending and compare it with your version. If you have time, write your own sequel. Take pictures of the writing process and make a layout with a pocket to hold your ending or your sequel.
Whatever you do with books, papercrafting, or books and papercrafting this summer, have fun!
