Summer is the time to encourage your child to read.  By developing strong reading skills, children open the door to additional learning that can benefit them throughout their life. The importance of reading is undeniable, but with so many distractions during the summer, how can parents keep their kids enthusiastic about it?  
 
The first step is to let kids select age-appropriate books on their own according to their interests.  Children spend most of the school year being dictated what to read, so summer is the perfect opportunity to let them explore different characters and genres on their own.  The second is to commit to a routine; encourage you children to read at least 20 minutes each day.  You'll be surprised to find that kids read far beyond their minimal time when the material is self-selected and interesting to them.
 
Our local libraries are valuable resources to help promote summertime reading.  June is National Audio Book Month; so why not stop by the library and let your children pick out a  book on cassette or cd?  Instead of popping in a video to pass the time on your summer road trip, parents can insert a book on cd in their car for the whole family to enjoy together.   Additionally, Summer reading programs are just kicking off at the local libraries with incentives and prizes to reward young readers.   What a wonderful way to promote the love of reading in children!
 
Rebecca Caudill award winning books are popular with both older kids and adults.  To obtain a list of previous Rebecca Caudill Award Winning Books, visit RCYRBA before visiting your local library or book store.  Middle school students can get a jump on their reading material for the Palos South Rebecca Caudill 2011 Reading Contest sponsored by the Media Center during these summer months.  For recently graduated eighth graders, or  high-school age kids looking for reading material, the Illinois School Library Media Association's site, The Abraham Lincoln Award: Illinois' High School Readers' Choice Award has many age-appropriate suggestions. 
 
As a reminder, our own Palos websites offer multiple educational and reading links.  Involvement in Postcards to the Principal at East, and Passport to Reading at West, are excellent ways to encourage summer reading.  Additionally, Palos South students are encouraged to visit Study Island to keep their skills sharp, and East and West students can hone their math skills at Everyday Math.  There are also many other free and safe sites to explore including www.funbrain.com, www.aaamath.com, and

http://www.storylineonline.net.
 
Wishing you an enjoyable and safe summer filled with happy reading,
 

Dr. Joseph M. Dubec

Superintendent of Schools