Elementary Parent Literacy News
June 2018
Beat the Summer Slide!
By Megan Ressler & Rose Sargent - Forge Road Elementary Reading Specialists
Summer is a great time for kids to rest, relax, and refresh before returning to school in the fall. However, a summer without reading and writing can lead to the dreaded summer slide. This happens when students forget the skills they learned because they haven’t practice their reading and writing skills during the summer. Reading Rockets (http://www.readingrockets.org/) gives us 10 tips for summer reading that just might prevent that summer slide.
Reading Rocket’s 10 Tips For Summer Reading
1. Read aloud together with your child every day.
- Enjoy the nice weather and read to each other outside.
2. Set a good example!
- Model good reading practices. Turn off the TV and have each person read his or her own book.
3. Read the same book as your child and discuss it.
- Foster conversations about the book.
4. Let kids choose what they want to read.
- Any reading is better than no reading!
5. Buy/rent audio books, especially for a child with a learning disability.
- Listen to them in the car. Have the family listen to them together.
6. Take your child to the library regularly.
- The Palmyra Library has a great summer reading program with awesome incentives.
7. Subscribe to magazines like Sports Illustrated Kids, Highlights, or National Geographic World.
- Students can develop new vocabulary by reading about current events.
8. Make summer pen pals with school friends.
- Ease disappointment over summer separation from favorite school friends by having your child write letters to their friends.
9. As you travel encourage reading aloud billboards, signs, and notices.
- Show your child how to read maps and use signs to find their way.
10. Encourage children to keep a summer scrapbook.
- Tape in pictures and souvenirs into a scrapbook. Then have your child write captions for each item.
For more detailed ideas visit: http://www.readingrockets.org/article/summer-reading-tips-parents .
Summer Reading Challenge for Kids!
Educational Apps and Websites
Summer Reading is Important!
* Summer Reading Tips for Parents from Reading Rockets
* Summertime and the Learning is Easy
Summer Enrichment Options
1. Summer Reading Journal: Students read self-selected books and respond to what they read in a summer reading journal.
2. Palmyra Public Library Summer Reading Program: Complete the summer reading program through the Palmyra Public Library.
3. Elementary Summer Book Exchange: A summer reading book exchange will be held at Lingle Avenue Elementary School. Students may exchange books on Tuesdays from 5:30-6:30 during June and July at Lingle Avenue Elementary School library.
4. Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge – Students may log the minutes they spend reading this summer.
ONLINE/TECHNOLOGY OPTIONS
*Tickets for these online activities can be earned up to August 10th.
1. Ed City Math – Ed City Math is a Common Core aligned web-based program. Students in grades K-2 can access lesson, activities, and practice problems. Ed City Math can be accessed through the web or the free Puffin app for mobile devices.
2. Reading Eggs/Reading Eggspress – Improve literacy skills with Reading Eggs (grades K-2) and Reading Eggspress (grades 3-4). Students first will take a placement test to assess their reading level and then begin the program. Educational activities, videos, and leveled readers comprise the engaging website.
3. Apps- A list of recommended educational apps can be found on the Technology page of the district website. Students will track their time on the spreadsheet provided.
4. Typing.Com – Learn proper keyboarding techniques and master typing with Type to Learn. Students progress through a series of lessons and master lessons based on skill. This web-based program works on all devices and platforms.
5. Study Island – Study Island is a web-based program designed around Common Core standards. Students in grades 3-12 can access lessons, practice problems, and educational games in core content areas. Study Island can be accessed on a computer or mobile device, including iPads and iPods.
Palmyra Public Library's Summer Learning Program
Libraries Rock! Summer Learning Program at the Palmyra Public Library starts June 4. Visit the library for more information and to sign up.
Literacy Website
Additional literacy information for parents can be found at https://sites.google.com/a/teachers.pasd.us/palmyraliteracy/. This website can also be accessed from the district website (district-wide information – curriculum).