Summer Reading Challenge
PLUS: Tips to Encourage Reading
Dear Classical KIDS,
Time to start our Summer Reading Challenge!
There’s no better way to stay cool and shaded from the midday sun -as well as inspire a lifelong love of books- than with Classical Wisdom’s Reading Challenge and Bingo. Track reading progress and enjoy a great bingo game as well.
Let’s get started, shall we?
First, download the Summer Reading Log and print out a copy for each child. Show them how to write down the book information and give a rating.
Next, download the Bingo cards. You can pick different ones here:
(If the link has been used up, let me know by email and I will send you a new one).
Alternatively, you can print out the basic Bingo sheets below and have the kids fill in the spaces themselves. Good for writing practice!
These are the categories we picked, but of course you can add your own or let the kids pick some/all:
Crazy animal
Wise Teacher
An Epic
Cool Hero
Best Monster
Tragic Tale
Moral Story
Awesome Powers
Poetry for the Muses
Silly Story
Ancient Art
Most Imaginative
Ancient Roman
Inspiring Journey Amazing Goddess
Head Scratching Philosophy
You can either give the kids the Bingo cards at the beginning to help inspire their reading and have them fill it out as they go - or print them at the end and see how they did with their summer reading.
Finally, take a moment and go over some tips below on how to encourage reading this summer. What else has worked for you and your kids in the past? Any extra tips you’d like to contribute? Let us know!
All the best,
Anya Leonard
Founder and Director
Classical Wisdom and Classical Wisdom KIDS
HOW TO ENCOURAGE READING THIS SUMMER
1. Be a reading role model: Not only for your own reading pleasure, if kids see you reading, they’ll be more likely to model your behavior.
2. Lots of options: Make sure to provide lots of variety and reading options and then allow your child to choose which book they want to read. This will help them get more excited and enable them to be part of the process.
3. Find Resources: If you can, find a local library to get out of the house and grab more books - this will help with number 2! If you don’t have a local library, try doing a book swap with friends. It’s a great excuse to get together and the kids can talk about their favorite reads.
4. Make it part of your day. Build reading into your daily summer routine by scheduling a quiet time for everyone to read (or be read to). It’s a great way for both you and your kids to build great reading habits. If it’s super hot and sunny where you are, maybe pick a mid day time when the UV is at its highest…
5. Use a Reading Log: Track how much they read with the Summer Reading Log. Helps for watching their progress as well as being reflective about the books. Download the summer reading log above.
6. Make a nice Reading Spot: Sometimes it’s the little things that make the biggest difference. Find a nice, comfy spot where kids can read... a nook for a book!