Parent Magazine Flagler May 2019 | Page 11

Choosing high interest books is very important for average readers. Remember that comic books, magazine articles, and even reading instructions for putting together model airplanes count as reading. Be creative and find reading materials that motivate your average reader. You’ll be glad you did. Fluent Readers It’s tempting to think that fluent readers don’t need to practice their reading skills over the summer. After all, they’re cruising. But think of the learning opportunities they’ll miss if they don’t find good books to read all summer. In addition, studies have shown that vocabulary is the single best predictor of success in higher learning and reading is the best possible way to grow vocabulary knowledge. Even fluent readers need to keep honing their skills and may need to branch out into new genres such as biographies, poetry, science fiction, or topical non-fiction books to broaden their reading abilities. Great thinkers are good readers. Independent learners need excellent reading skills to take off on their own projects. Find some lists of excellent reading in various genres. Encourage your fluent reader to both read and extend knowledge through art projects or other creative activities. Guide them to select quality literature. Reading is the foundation for excellence in academic performance. Be Intentional You’ll find more success in incorporating reading into your summer schedule if you’re intentional about it. Set a time of day for a reading break and stick to it as much as possible. Make trips to the library part of your summer outings. Take advantage of your local bookstore’s summer reading program or their read- aloud times. You might enjoy having a family summer reading challenge to encourage reading a certain number of pages or books. Be sure to offer a motivating prize when your reader meets his or her goals. Check out great reading websites such as pbs.org, ala.org (American Library Association) or look up your child’s favorite author websites. Jan Brett, Kevin Henkes, and Jon Scieszka have wonderful sites to encourage reading. And here are three more sites with lists of books appropriate to all age levels: www.neh.gov/news/ summer-timefavorites www.haisin.org/reading-lists.html (lists for pre-school through grade 12) Especially for boys: www.thoughtco.com/librarians- recommend-books-for-boys-627556 And check out this article by Elizabeth Kennedy, “10 Tips to Help You Raise Kids Who Love Reading”, also at www.thoughtco.com. Happy Summer Reading! Jan Pierce, M.Ed., is a retired teacher and author of Homegrown Readers and Homegrown Family Fun: Unplugged. Find Jan at www.janpierce.net.