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You are here: Home / Archives for Family Activities

2014 Summer Reading: Books-A-Million

June 5, 2014 by Tracy

2014 Summer Reading: Books-A-Million
2014 Summer Reading: Books-A-Million

Photograph Credit: BAM

Reading two neat books this morning, I am more excited about summer reading than my children.

In fact, I have been asked about the benefits of summer reading.

Besides, keeping up their reading proficiency, I encourage my children to try reading new material.

During the school year, their reading lists are chosen for them.

Though my son prefers to have a book handed to him to read, I am willing to let him explore and discover the thrill of learning on his own through reading.

My daughter, on the other hand, enjoys picking and choosing her selections based on the pictures and colors of the book’s cover.

For those students, who prefer to have a list of books to read, try the Books-A-Million Summer Reading Program.

Books-A-Million Summer Reading Program

2014 Summer Reading: Books-A-Million

Photograph Credit: BAM

Participants

Students in Kindergarten – Grade 12

Program Length

June 1 – August 16, 2014

Goal

Read any 6 books on the Summer Reading form.

Requirements

    • Complete the Summer Reading form with your name, age, and date.
    • Check off the books read.
    • Ask a parent or legal guardian to sign and date the bottom of your form to verify the submitted information.

Redemption

Take the finished Summer Reading form to your local Books-A-Million bookstore.

Reward

Receive a FREE Theodore Boone pencil case and pencil, while supplies last.

Books-A-Million Summer Reading Program Highlights

This program is new to me, and I’m not sure we will participate. My son might start reading the Encyclopedia Brown series which is included on this list, but I’m not sure he will read 6 books.

As you look over these programs, consider the time spent verses the reward. Honestly, my son won’t flip over a pencil case and pencil. However, my daughter loves earning any reward.

In using time wisely, consider the investment on your family’s time to get in these summer reading programs. Happy summer reading!

More 2014 summer reading programs:

  • Barnes and Noble

Filed Under: Rewards, Summer Reading, Family Activities Tagged With: Books-A-Million, Summer reading

2014 Summer Reading: Barnes & Noble

June 4, 2014 by Tracy

Summer Reading: Barnes & Noble
Summer Reading: Barnes & Noble

Photograph Credit: Barnes and Noble

After the summer reading series kickoff post yesterday, I know you are ready to encourage life-long learning.

Summer reading programs offer rewards as motivation to those who achieve the established goals.

Choosing to list these summer reading programs in alphabetical order, I present the Barnes & Noble Imagination’s Destination.

Barnes & Noble Imagination’s Destination

Summer Reading: Barnes & Noble

Photograph Credit: Barnes and Noble

Participants

Students in grades 1 through 6

Program Length

May 20 – September 2, 2014

Goal

Read any 8 books.

Requirements

Complete the Barnes & Noble Reading Journal with your information, list of books read, and to whom and why you would recommend each book.

Redemption

Take the finished Reading Journal to your local Barnes & Noble bookstore.

Reward

Choose a FREE book from the available titles listed on the Reading Journal.

Barnes & Noble Imagination’s Destination Highlights

Barnes and Noble collageMy son has participated in this reading program for the past 3 years while my daughter finally got to submit her log last year.

After participating for a few years, we have found that the earlier in the summer you claim your prize, the better your chances for choosing the book of your choice on the list.

Our two readers claimed their prizes around the end of July last year, and our store had all the available books on the list.

However, the first year we participated, we waited until the end of the promotion, and the selection was down to one or two books remaining.

If you participate, then claim your reward soon after completing the 8 books for the best selection on your prize.

A unique part of Barnes & Nobles’ reading program is thinking about whom else would enjoy reading the books read.

I enjoyed hearing the description of those my son thought should read his 8 books. Some descriptions were vague while others were specific.

Without any signup, you only need to print the Reading Journal for each participating student, record the information, and trade the journal for a FREE book.

Happy summer reading!

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

Summer Reading: Series Kickoff

June 3, 2014 by Tracy

Summer Reading: Series Kickoff

Photograph Credit: Fotolia

Summer has either arrived or is on the horizon, and there are more than 15 summer reading programs available.

As each summer reading program has unique eligibility, requirements, and rewards, I will take the next 2-3 weeks to highlight one program each day.

Next week, I will take a little break from this series to focus on Father’s Day, and then I will continue and complete the summer reading series.

Throughout these posts, you will find some well-loved favorite programs, a couple new opportunities, and some changes from prior years. All these summer reading programs aim to make life-long learning fun.

In preparing for our summer reading and jump starting our school year in the fall, I reserved a couple of books for Mr. 8 and Miss 6 at our library. When we stopped by earlier today, two of the four books had arrived.

Though I think I’m more excited than they are, I encouraged them to stock up on books for summer reading. While they like trying new books, they thrive when they choose their own selections.

To help them track their summer reading progress, I created the following FREE printable 2014 Summer Reading Log.

2014 Summer Reading Log

2014 Summer Reading Log (.pdf version)

2014 Summer Reading Log (Microsoft Word version)

Summer Reading log 2014

You are welcome to download, customize the Microsoft Word version, and use this FREE printable. To share this resource with others, please forward the link to this post rather than sending the file directly.

Thank you for protecting Using Time Wisely’s copyright.

For more summer reading resources, check out Shelley’s printable All-star pack with coupons and a game to help motivate less-enthusiastic readers. Another option is Allison’s 3 months of calendars listing reading activities, resources, and recommendations for each day.

As the excitement builds and this series kickoff takes off tomorrow, may you, in whatever season of life, embrace summer reading as you grow and develop from the inside out. Happy reading!

Question: What is one title on your summer reading list?

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

LaMar’s Donuts: National Donut Day – June 6, 2014

June 2, 2014 by Tracy

LaMar’s Donuts: National Donut Day - June 6, 2014
LaMar’s Donuts: National Donut Day - June 6, 2014

Photograph Credit: LaMar’s Donuts

If you live in certain parts of Alabama, Arizona, Colorado, Kansas, Missouri, or Nebraska, then LaMar’s Donuts is celebrating National Donut Day on Friday, June 6, 2014.

With no purchase necessary, guests get their choice of a FREE donut. The only restriction is that the donut chosen must have a hole.

This offer is only available on Friday, June 6, 2014, at participating LaMar’s Donut locations.

In addition to offering a FREE donut to guests, LaMar’s Donuts partners with the Salvation Army to help fight child hunger.

Donations are accepted via their website or their store locations.

Happy Donut Day!

Filed Under: Going Out, Free Outings, Family Activities Tagged With: LaMar's Donuts

Dunkin’ Donuts: National Donut Day – June 6, 2014

June 1, 2014 by Tracy

Dunkin’ Donuts: National Donut Day - June 6, 2014
Dunkin’ Donuts: National Donut Day - June 6, 2014

Photograph Credit: Dunkin’ Donuts

In honor of National Donut Day, participating Dunkin’ Donuts will include a FREE donut with any beverage purchase on Friday, June 6, 2014.

Though I am not a coffee drinker, I hear that Dunkin’ Donuts makes good coffee.

If you are willing to pay for a beverage, then choose a FREE donut with your drink on National Donut Day.

This offer is only available on Friday, June 6, 2014, at participating locations while supplies last.

Happy Donut Day!

Filed Under: Going Out, Inexpensive Outings, Family Activities Tagged With: Dunkin' Donuts

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