What Families Can Do to Encourage Reading
Summer reading lists are provided to give students a variety of books to consider for reading in the summer. Some middle schools have required reading lists. Check with your child’s school to find out if they have one and to obtain a copy. Public libraries also have copies of most schools’ lists.
Ways to Encourage Reading
- Allow your children to choose books that interest them, but encourage them to explore different authors, themes, and genres (biography, adventure, historical fiction, science fiction or fantasy, poetry, and others).
- For strong readers, choose books with an appropriate but stimulating reading level.
- For reluctant readers, choose books they can read without difficulty but will hold their interest
- Encourage your children to read for a specified period of time every day (30 minutes to 1 hour) at a regular time.
- Encourage older children to read to younger children. It will reinforce reading skills for both.
- Talk to your children about what they are reading and read some of their books. Discussing a book can be a great way to open a dialogue with your teenager.
- Find out what the public libraries have to offer for teens in the summer and encourage your children to get involved!
- Encourage your children to read other materials such as newspapers and magazines.
Reading Web Sites for Students and Parents
Summer Reading Guide
http://www.rif.org/summer/default.mspx
Book Adventure—Kids Zone
http://www.bookadventure.com/ki/index.asp
Bookhive
http://www.bookhive.org
Children’s Literature Web Guide
http://www.acs.ucalgary.ca/~dkbrown/index.html
Guys Read
http://www.guysread.com
Kids Reads
http://www.kidsreads.com
Readers Club for Teens
http://www.readersclub.org/default.asp
Teen Reads
http://www.teenreads.com
