2014 Summer Reading: Showcase Cinemas

June 21, 2014 by Tracy

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:

2014 Summer Reading: Scholastic

June 20, 2014 by Tracy

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

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:

2014 Summer Reading: Public Library System

June 19, 2014 by Tracy

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 6^th – 12^th 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:

2014 Summer Reading: Pottery Barn Kids

June 18, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Pottery Barn Kids

On the heels of summer camp, my children are participating in Vacation Bible School (VBS) this week. In our fourth week of summer, we are still on the move.

With entertaining guests from Pennsylvania our first week to Miss 6’s art camp the second week followed by Mr. 8’s camp in North Carolina last week, and now VBS, we’ve got to work on our summer reading.

The library books are due back next week, so my current deadline is reading through these books together by the time we return them.

It is a tall goal, but we are up for the challenge because new-to-us books from the library spur excitement in our house.

Speaking of new books, the reward for this next summer reading program offers a FREE book when the requirements are met and before supplies run out.

Pottery Barn Kids encourages reading all year long with their weekly story times. For the summer, they host the Pottery Barn Kids Summer Reading Challenge.

Pottery Barn Kids Summer Reading Challenge

Participants

No age limit given, but the reading lists might be too young for older readers. Check with your local Pottery Barn Kids for their age requirements.

Program Length

This program expires on July 31, 2014.

Goal

To instill a love of reading with books from designated reading lists.

Requirements

Read any 8 books from the Summer Reading Challenge Book Lists:

For Little Ones:

Goodnight, Goodnight Construction Site by Sherri Duskey Rinker and Tom Lichtenheld
Heads by Matthew Van Fleet
Corduroy by Don Freeman
Llama Llama and the Bully Goat by Anna Dewdney
Nelly Gnu and Daddy Too by Anna Dewdney
Curious Baby Counting by H. A. Rey
Olivia by Ian Falconer
How Do Dinosaurs Count to Ten? by Mark Teague
What Sisters Do Best/What Brothers Do Best by Laura Numeroff and Lynn Munsinger

For Older Ones:

Bear Snores On by Karma Wilson and Jane Chapman
The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt and Oliver Jeffers
Big Brothers Don’t Take Naps by Louise Borden and Emma Dodd
Paddington Bear by Michael Bond and R. W. Alley
Ladybug Girl by David Soman and Jacky Davis
How Do Dinosaurs Say Good Night? by Jane Yolen and Mark Teague
Pete the Cat I Love My White Shoes by James Dean and Eric Litwin
Madeline and the Old House in Paris by John Bemelmans Marciano
Grammy Lamby and the Secret Handshake by Kate Klise and M. Sarah Klise
Sniff by Matthew Van Fleet
Tallulah’s Toe Shoes by Marilyn Singer and Alexandra Boiger

Redemption

Participating Pottery Barn Kids locations provide Summer Reading Challenge bookmarks for each participating child. One would need to visit the store to pick one up as there is no printable version available.

On the back of the bookmark is a checklist of the books on the Summer Challenge Reading Book List. Have your child check off the books read, and then submit the finished bookmark to a PBK representative.

Reward

Once 8 check marks are confirmed, the PBK representative will congratulate the reader with a certificate and a FREE book, while supplies last.

Pottery Barn Kids Summer Reading Challenge Benefits

This program is great for the visual learner. Seeing a list of books and marking them off after reading them is helpful for those who need to see the big picture. Keeping them on task with a checklist and an on-going tally of their progress is beneficial to visual learners like Miss 6.

For those who struggle with finding a good book to read, this program guides readers directly to the book along with a checklist to keep track of what is left to do. Mr. 8 will comply with whatever task you ask of him, but he prefers that you tell him exactly what he needs to do.

Working with a number of personalities and learning-types, the Pottery Barn Kids Summer Reading Challenge offers some variety while encouraging life-long readers. Happy summer reading!

More 2014 summer reading programs:

2014 Summer Reading: Pizza Hut BOOK IT!

June 17, 2014 by Tracy

Photograph Credit: Pizza Hut BOOK IT!

Pizza is usually a nice reward. Participating throughout the school year, my children enjoy earning their BOOK IT! certificates for FREE personal pan pizzas.

If you are a homeschooling family and want to participate in BOOK IT! this coming school year, then sign up your children ages 5-12 before the deadline on September 1, 2014 or while supplies last.

For this summer, Pizza Hut BOOK IT! is offering a sweepstakes. All who qualify will be entered into a drawing with a total of 49 winners with one of those winners also receiving the grand prize.

The rules have changed since last year, but the details, including links for more information, are included below regarding the Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Spark Your Greatness Sweepstakes.

Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Spark Your Greatness

Participants

Open to children ages 5-12.

Program Length

Submission must be sent or postmarked by August 15, 2014.

Goal

Read any 5 books.

Requirements

Fill out the official entry form including title and author of 5 books your children read. You may then submit on-line or via mail.

Redemption

If your child is one of the 49 winners, then a package will arrive via the mail to your doorstep.

Reward

Of those who submit the forms, a random drawing will produce 49 winners. Each winner will receive the following prize package worth approximately $88:

One (1) Tote Bag
One (1) $20 Pizza Hut Gift Card
One (1) Boxed Set of Diary of a Wimpy Kid Hardback Books, Books 1-7 and Do-It-Yourself Journal (8 books)
One (1) Diary of a Wimpy Kid Hard Luck Hardback Book
One (1) Diary of a Wimpy Kid Notebook

From the 49 winners, those who also play the Instagram scavenger hunt will be entered for the grand prize package worth approximately $127. This winner will receive both the grand prize and one of the 49 second prize packages. The grand prize includes the following:

One (1) Tote Bag
One (1) $50 Pizza Hut Gift Card
One (1) Autographed Diary of a Wimpy Kid Hardback Book, Book 1
One (1) Set of Diary of a Wimpy Kid Hardback Book, Books 2-8 (7 books)
One (1) Diary of a Wimpy Kid Do-It-Yourself Journal
One (1) Set of Your Best Ideas Notebook (3 notebooks)

Pizza Hut BOOK IT! Spark Your Greatness Benefits

In addition to the sweepstakes, BOOK IT also has the Instagram scavenger hunt. One completes the tass, takes a photograph, and correctly uploads to Instagram. All submissions must be entered by August 15, 2014.

This program has greatly improved since last year. Having multiple ways to participate is great. To win, all must submit an entry form and read 5 books. For a chance at the grand prize, one must also complete the Instagram hunt.

Though the winners are random, I am thankful for another summer reading program. My children will each read more than 5 books. If we win, then it will be a nice surprise. If not, then it was just a few moments of my time entering them into this sweepstakes.

In using time wisely, spending a few moments entering a sweepstakes is worth it for me. You may think differently, especially if your child is not interested in the prize package.

The book prize might not motivate, but the chance to win a $20 Pizza Hut gift card might be worth the few minutes to submit an entry form. Happy summer reading!

More 2014 summer reading programs:

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