Posted in School Year Stuff

Trying to get my kids to read has always been a challange. I am an avid reader. I devour books. I read a 300 page book today infact. (I was up at 5am and read most of it by 8am and finished it at lunch).

Chantelle has been better at reading since we joined our homeschool groups reading club. She has actually read the other books in a series after readign the first ones in the group.

Matt on the other hand hates to read. Well, he hates to read when he is told to read I should say. He reads instead gaming manuals, magazines, and anything other than a book. I have been thinking of taking him to a comic book store and letting him choose a few to read. Anything to get him to read.

Every year since we begain homeschooling, we have participated in a few Summer Reading Programs.

One is through our local library. Last year they didn't have the program because they lost their funding and accreditation, but I read in our library's newsletter that it will be running this year. Yippy! It's different every year and my kids were ever featured in our local paper promoting the program. 

Another is put on through Barnes & Nobles around the country. All you have to do is read 8 books and fill out a form and return it to your local Barnes & Nobles and you get to choose a book from a selection that the store has chosen.

The third one we participate in is through Homeschooling.About.com. This one has been going on for the past 7 years. You simply read at least 500 pages (it was easier for Chantelle to complete than Matt which always bummed him out, but he got to read more books) and return the list to Beverly. Come the end of September, you get a certificate and some prizes (usually book marks, pencils, stickers and such).

Normally those are the only ones we do, but this year we found another one to participate in. It is put out by TOS called Summer Reading Splash. You simply read books and keep track of how many you read and at the end of the program ou turn in the logs. Also every week there is a topic of the week that the kids will answer and email for a chance to win a prize.

Have a fun summer reading!