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You are here: Home / Archives for Family Activities

2014 Summer Reading: Sylvan

June 23, 2014 by Tracy

2014 Summer Reading: Sylvan
2014 Summer Reading: Sylvan

Photograph Credit: Sylvan

Working through these summer reading programs, we are in the homestretch.

The next program started after research confirmed that less than 33% of students were reading at or above grade level by fourth grade.

Recognizing a need to motivate students to read, the Sylvan Book Adventure launched in 1999.

This year-long program can continue far beyond summer reading as students keep earning rewards. If you are not registered with this program, then start with summer reading with Sylvan Book Adventure.

Sylvan Book Adventure

Participants

Readers in kindergarten through grade 8 who register and are assigned to either a teacher or parent account are eligible. Both parents and students need to register for recording and prize redemption.

Program Length

As this program is on-going, this program is not limited to summer reading.

Goal

Help kids learn to love reading through interactive tools, games, and motivational rewards.

Requirements

Children read books they’ve found on Book Adventure and take a quiz at Quiz-O-Matic to test their knowledge and comprehension of the story.

Each quiz contains either five (grades K-2) or ten (grades 3-8) questions. Readers earn points toward great prizes based on the number of questions answered correctly.

Because children must score at least a 90% (80% for K-2 grade level books) to earn points, they can take a quiz more than once. Their results are recorded and rewarded points based on the highest score your child earns on each quiz.

Redemption

When a student has earned enough points for the prize of their choice, they request the prize by clicking on the “I want to get this prize” button located on the prize description page.

Once a prize is requested, the child’s parent or teacher will be notified via email so the prize can be approved. Parents and teachers can approve or deny any of these requests.

Once approved, a student can claim their prize by logging into their Book Adventure account and viewing the prize status page. Depending on the prize, the student will be able to either directly print the prize or a prize certificate that must be mailed away to the prize sponsor.

Reward

All prizes are generously provided by Book Adventure’s sponsors. Within the Prize Library, kids can search for a prize they’d like to win or exchange points for a prize they’ve earned by reading books and answering quiz questions correctly.

Sylvan Book Adventure Benefits

The Sylvan Book Adventure program focuses on those students who prefer to read online. The tricky part to this program is to monitor students to see that they are reading.

If I had used this program as a student, I would have quickly figured out how to skip the reading, jump to the quiz, figure out the answers, and win points. Of course, I don’t recommend this approach. However, the opportunity is there, and kids will figure it out.

In winding down our summer reading series, there is one more program to share. Tomorrow, I will bring you the last installment. Happy summer reading!

More 2014 summer reading programs:

  • Barnes and Noble
  • Books-A-Million
  • Chuck E. Cheese
  • Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
  • Everyday Snapshots
  • Education.com
  • Half Price Books
  • H-E-Buddy
  • Junie B. Jones
  • Pizza Hut BOOK IT!
  • Pottery Barn Kids
  • Public Library System
  • Scholastic
  • Showcase Cinemas
  • Simon Kidgits Club

Filed Under: Rewards, Summer Reading, Family Activities Tagged With: Summer reading

2014 Summer Reading: Simon Kidgits Club

June 22, 2014 by Tracy

2014 Summer Reading: Simon Kidgits Club
 2014 Summer Reading: Simon Kidgits Club

Photograph Credit: Simon Kidgits Club

Happy summer! Spent some time outdoors this weekend as we visited a ranch and watched horse riders perform for the audience.

The riders handled their horses well and showed the moves they learned during a week-long camp.

The visit to the ranch was our first. My father-in-law helps at the ranch, and we went to see some of the riders.

With so many activities in our area, we sometimes are torn between one activity and another.

Caught in the middle, we found ourselves overlooking the Simon Kidgits Club activities. Since we were not attending, we let our memberships expire, and none of my children have requested returning.

Though we are no longer members, the program continues. Calling our local Simon Kidgits Club, I discovered that they are not offering a summer reading program anymore. I am continuing to post this option as each Simon Kidgits Club offers local member benefits.

When our Simon Kidgits Club was run by an educator, the summer reading program was working well. That leader has since moved on, but other clubs may offer a summer reading program which is why I am including the option of the Simon Kidgits Club.

Simon Kidgits Club Summer Reading

Participants

No age specifications are given to join the Simon Kidgits Club. We have seen upper elementary age children at these events, but the activities are geared toward younger children.

Program Length

Varies by location as well as participation.

Goal

Encourage children to read this summer.

Requirements

Valid Simon Kidgits membership is mandatory with other possible requirements. A Kidgits annual membership is $5 per child and includes admission to all events, a t-shirt, birthday gift, and more.

Some Simon Kidgits Clubs may not participate in a summer reading program.  When I called guest services at our Kidgits location, the representative stated no program was developed this year.

Disappointed, I made a suggestion that they consider reinstating it for next summer. Receiving feedback is one way that these clubs determine what programs to offer. If you want to see your club offer a program, then request it.

Redemption

Check your local Kidgits Club for details.

Reward

Prizes are chosen by each Simon Kidgits Club.

Simon Kidgits Club Benefits

Our family found the Simon Kidgits Club worth the annual membership cost. Just the t-shirt and the birthday gift were exciting benefits with the activities a bonus. While members, my children received plates, books, games, musical instruments, and more from attending the events and winning the drawings.

Three years ago, our local club hosted a summer reading program. Members read 3 books, recorded the titles on a supplied-postcard form, and exchanged the complete form at guest services for a coupon for a FREE Chick-fil-A ice dream.

My children loved earning Chick-fil-A coupons, but our local Chick-fil-A’s have backed off providing coupons for summer reading. There are other business that would participate, and a simple call to your Simon Kidgits Club requesting a summer reading program might get the ball rolling. Happy summer reading!

More 2014 summer reading programs:

  • Barnes and Noble
  • Books-A-Million
  • Chuck E. Cheese
  • Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
  • Everyday Snapshots
  • Education.com
  • Half Price Books
  • H-E-Buddy
  • Junie B. Jones
  • Pizza Hut BOOK IT!
  • Pottery Barn Kids
  • Public Library System
  • Scholastic
  • Showcase Cinemas

Filed Under: Rewards, Summer Reading, Family Activities Tagged With: Summer reading

2014 Summer Reading: Showcase Cinemas

June 21, 2014 by Tracy

2014 Summer Reading: Showcase Cinemas
2014 Summer Reading: Showcase Cinemas

Photograph Credit: Showcase Cinemas

Our next summer reading program combines reading with pleasure.

The participants can read a book and fill out a short book report. That book report then becomes a FREE movie ticket for the participant.

Keep on reading and learn more about FREE movies through Showcase Cinemas’ Bookworm Wednesdays.

Showcase Cinemas’ Bookworm Wednesdays

Participants

Though no specific age limits are given, children under 6 are admitted FREE with a participant’s book report. Also, adults are FREE with a participating child which leaves the participants to children ages 6 -18.

Program Length

This program runs from July 9, 2014 through August 13, 2014.

Goal

Encourage reading with an immediate prize of a FREE movie.

Requirements

Read a book and fill out this book report form.

Redemption

Bring the completed book report form to a participating Showcase Cinema on a morning of the movie. Showcase Cinemas are located in Connecticut, Massachusetts, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, and Rhode Island.

Reward

Submit your completed book report at a participating Showcase Cinemas for FREE admission into a select 10:00 a.m. movie showing.

Select Movies – all rated PG with 10:00 a.m. showtimes

          • July 9: Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs 2
          • July 16: Epic
          • July 23: Despicable Me 2
          • July 30: The Croods
          • August 6: Turbo
          • August 13: The Smurfs 2

Each of these movies begins at 10:00 a.m. on the noted Wednesday morning. For adults and children ages 6 and younger, admission is FREE when accompanied by a Bookworm Wednesdays’ participant. Each participant can enter each of the five weeks with an official book report.

Showcase Cinemas’ Bookworm Wednesdays Benefits

The best part about this summer reading program is that participants can give back. They can read and give Mom or Dad a FREE admission into a movie. My children love to give to others. This program would be a great resource if we lived in the northeastern United States.

Though we don’t have access to a Showcase Cinemas location, we can make our own rewards by combining summer reading with Cinemark’s Summer Movie Clubhouse or Regal Cinemas’ Summer Movie Express.

Summer reading has so many benefits. Whether you have the opportunity to pick and choose or create your own, programs like Showcase Cinemas’ Bookworm Wednesdays makes reading a great investment of time. Happy summer reading!

More 2014 summer reading programs:

  • Barnes and Noble
  • Books-A-Million
  • Chuck E. Cheese
  • Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
  • Everyday Snapshots
  • Education.com
  • Half Price Books
  • H-E-Buddy
  • Junie B. Jones
  • Pizza Hut BOOK IT!
  • Pottery Barn Kids
  • Public Library System
  • Scholastic

Filed Under: Rewards, Summer Reading, Family Activities Tagged With: Summer reading

2014 Summer Reading: Scholastic

June 20, 2014 by Tracy

2014 Summer Reading: Scholastic
2014 Summer Reading: Scholastic

Photograph Credit: Scholastic

The sky has been opening up with thunderstorms in the afternoons around here. After busy mornings this week, my children and I have been hanging out at home.

We tried the park earlier this week, but the heat was too intense. We did not last more than an hour before heading home to cool off and rest.

My older children have been making good headway on their reading. Though they would rather be in the pool or playing on their electronic devices, they are mixing up their activities and including summer reading.

Combining summer reading with online tracking, the next program is focused on reading for the world record via the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge.

Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge

Participants

Designed for children ages 4 -14, but minutes read to younger ones are encouraged.

Program Length

This program runs from May 5, 2014 through September 5, 2014.

Goal

Bridging the gap between the end of one school year to the start of another, this program encourages reading to keep children learning and using their skills throughout the summer.

Requirements

Register your child, get your FREE ebook, and start reading.

Redemption

Children log reading minutes online through their registered accounts and via a computer or smart phone.

Reward

With weekly challenges, participants can earn digital rewards and enter sweepstakes while reading to break the world record.

Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge Benefits

This program is great for those who enjoy competition as schools can compete with each other. By tracking one’s progress online, one can view how much more reading is needed to earn the next reward.

Another nice feature is logging minutes using their smart phone app (for those with smart phones). If you go on vacation, then there is no need to keep up with paper logs or recording the minutes on scratch paper – just log the minutes from your phone.

In using time wisely, the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge offers FREE printable pages, resources, certificates, and book lists.

Though not for everyone, this summer reading program requires online access which is attractive to most children. Happy summer reading!

More 2014 summer reading programs:

  • Barnes and Noble
  • Books-A-Million
  • Chuck E. Cheese
  • Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
  • Everyday Snapshots
  • Education.com
  • Half Price Books
  • H-E-Buddy
  • Junie B. Jones
  • Pizza Hut BOOK IT!
  • Pottery Barn Kids
  • Public Library System

Filed Under: Rewards, Summer Reading, Family Activities Tagged With: Summer reading

2014 Summer Reading: Public Library System

June 19, 2014 by Tracy

2014 Summer Reading: Public Library System
2014 Summer Reading: Public Library System

Photograph Credit: Public Library

Guess the book selections we picked up from our library are a bit more challenging for my unmotivated summer reader.

Mr. 8 has been quite busy this summer and fitting in chapter books for summer reading is not at the top of his list of things to do.

On the other hand, Miss 6 is up to 32 books read, and she keeps a pile of all her books for me to record.

Not wanting to squelch her zeal for reading, I smile as she adds more books though I know she flipped through most of the pages. Reading for her is just really tough.

Thankfully, our public library encourages all reading with summer reading programs. With something for everyone at every stage and age, we are grateful for the rewards offered through our public library system.

Public Library System Summer Reading

Participants

Possibly all readers – our local library has multiple programs: babies, children, teens, and adults. Check with your local branch for summer reading guidelines and registration requirements.

Program Length

Determined by each county – all four of our summer reading programs end on July 26, 2014.

Goal

Promote a love of learning by reading books and via programs developed around books.

Requirements

Varies from county to county, but our process is to register at our local branch, obtain a reading log, choose either to read the allotted number of books or the determined number of hours, and log minutes or books read.

Redemption

Once the participant reaches a goal, bring the reading log to the branch where registered and receive a reward.

Reward

Varies from county to county. Over the past few years, we saw a decrease in the number and value of the summer reading prizes offered through our public library. This year is definitely an improvement over last year, and my children are encouraged by the reduced minimum goals while we press on to success.

The following is a breakdown of the rewards offered through our public library system for 2014:

Baby Rewards (ages 0 – 35 months)

      • Board book

Children Rewards (ages 3-12)

      • Collectible magnet
      • Reading medal
      • Entry into a drawing for an annual membership to a local children’s museum
      • Coupon for a FREE taco or burrito from Taco Bell
      • Ticket voucher to a local minor league baseball game

Teen Rewards (rising 6th – 12th graders)

      • Collectible magnet
      • Compass clip
      • Ticket to either a local waterpark or to a local ice skating rink
      • Ticket voucher to a local minor league baseball game

Adult Rewards (ages 18 and up)

      • Entry into a drawing for a $150 prepaid card to QuikTrip (gas station)
      • Entry into a drawing for an annual South Carolina Statewide Park Pass and 2 golf passes for use at one of two state parks
      • Entry into a drawing for a half-day bike rental from a local bike shop
      • Wendy’s Jr. Frosty coupon

Public Library System Summer Reading Benefits

Besides earning rewards, registered summer reading participants gain admittance to professional performances throughout the summer. The shows include a musical concert, live-animal show, musical book writer, science demonstrations, puppeteer, and petting zoo.

Though I try to build up the library rewards, I falter a bit when my children expectantly ask what prizes they can earn from Chick-fil-A. Since Chick-fil-A prizes are still not back, we are focusing on the performance opportunities and the baseball game ticket.

As you check your local library, you might find the prizes less valuable from previous years. Focus on the good, encourage reading, and enjoy the FREE rewards. Happy summer reading!

More 2014 summer reading programs:

  • Barnes and Noble
  • Books-A-Million
  • Chuck E. Cheese
  • Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library
  • Everyday Snapshots
  • Education.com
  • Half Price Books
  • H-E-Buddy
  • Junie B. Jones
  • Pizza Hut BOOK IT!
  • Pottery Barn Kids

Filed Under: Rewards, Summer Reading, Family Activities Tagged With: Summer reading

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