Our summer reading program idea began four years ago. I was homeschooling my boys’ and the library had changed their program. Up to that point we participated every year, and my sons’ loved the rewards. After that, I decided it was up to me to make up a reading program they would enjoy. I wrote out an outline because this always helps me to be focused. Next, I added all of the parts of the reading rewards they loved and parts they did not love so much. From this point I created our summer reading program.
In addition to writing everything in an outline, I also wrote down all different types of rewards they could earn. For this I had to really think intuitively so that rewards would be a goal for them to achieve. So I made a list of each of my sons’ favorite activities, drinks, snacks, and other items. From this list came the rewards. Finally, I chose books based on each child’s reading age and ability. Here are some of the rewards they can earn:
Pajama Day Points
My middle son who is a late sleeper and never likes to wake up early constantly asks if he can have a pajama day. Each day we start our homeschool morning off with breakfast, getting dressed for the day, chores and brushing hair and teeth. I don’t really like to be in my pajama’s past 9:00 am anyway and have never let the boys’ wear pajamas late.
This has become a reward that my sons’ all three of them can earn points toward a fun pajama day. I try to find fun ways for them to earn points so that they will want to read. My objective is not quantity, but the habit of reading. If that is created and they learn to take books with them wherever they go, then reading habits have been established and it will be a lifelong hobby.
Summer Reading Program Popcorn Party
Of course they can earn a popcorn party too. My hope is that they will earn a pajama party as well as a popcorn party. Soft drinks would not be included as that would be another reward. But, nothing is stopping them from earning that additionally. I have journals that several years ago where they can write down what they have read. Interestingly enough this is nice to look back and see how they have changed types of books they want to read.
Back when I was in school we could earn popcorn parties for attendance, but I think using it for reading a fun idea. Something different to do on a school day in addition to regular schoolwork. Summer reading has become quite the hobby around here and it warms my heart.
Travel Adventures For Kids
Next is a museum visit, miniature golf outing or laser tag. Yes, these are summer reading rewards they can earn, but the points are significantly higher on these rewards. I set the bar high so that they decide how many books or which book they read will get them there. Harry Potter books are favorites because of the length. There are rules and one of them is no reading something they read already. Which means I do check back in the book for previous titles.
Taking them somewhere isn’t always easy since there is more than one. Activities have become expensive so when they get an opportunity for one on one time with mom they take it. I love reading and always have. Teaching my sons’ to have a love of learning makes me feel happy. If you enjoy reading it takes you to so many place you may not get to visit. Therefore it also allows of the imagination to run free and the doors are open and closed only by the limits of your imagination.
Read Book for a Movie
Finally, we have the read a book for a movie. These are reapproved movies that the kids’ want to see. But they cost the most on the reward system. The books are not simple and push their limits to allow them to stretch their skills. If they want this reward, it is definitely earned.
My oldest son who is in high school enjoys this reward. He asks for a movie and I tell him to get the summer reading book guide. Then, he chooses a book for his level to read. After that I have him do a 7 minute narration to make sure he understood what he read. It’s interesting to watch him set a goal to read it, determine how many pages he has to read to get the movie in a certain amount of days.
We have homeschooled for almost 13 years now, and I believe the summer reading program at home is one of my better ways of getting them to read on their own. For more tips on affordable homeschooling, frugal living and living on a suburban homestead sign up for my newsletter.
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