Summer Reading Incentives Keep Learning Fun

Are your kids already bored on their summer break from school? 

Summer reading is an enjoyable and entertaining activity that can stimulate a child’s mind each day. 

Summer reading is important, not just for elementary age students, but for all students. When school is out, reading should continue. A lack of reading can lead to summer reading loss. Summer reading loss, also known as summer setback or summer slide, occurs when reading achievement declines between the months of June and August.

One summer without reading can sometimes mean a future struggle in academic performance.

Many schools have required summer reading, especially for honors students and many offer suggested summer reading. Parents who are unsure what their child should be reading can contact the school or the public library. 

The Pasco County Schools district website offers parents suggestions for summer reading through the Florida Department of Education’s “Summer Literacy Adventure.” Information about that program can be found at pasco.k12.fl.us/archives/summer_literacy_adventure.

For those who do not have required reading assignments, the purpose of summer reading is different from reading during the school year. Summer reading should be fun, less structured and high interest, to motivate students to read over their break. 

If students aren’t motivated on their own, there are several reading programs that offer reading incentives. 

The following organizations and businesses offer summer reading programs:

• The Pasco County library system--“One World, Many Stories” for elementary school students, and “You are Here” for grades six through 12.  Students can sign up on the library’s website at pascolibraries.org and log their books read. They will receive prizes each time a book is logged and after six books are read, the student’s name will be entered into a drawing for an Xbox Connect. 

• Barnes and Noble--“Imagine Destination.”  Children up to age 12 can read and log eight books through Sept. 6 and will then receive one free book on their reading level.

• Taco Bell—“Leading By Reading.”  Children 13 years old or younger who read 10 books by Sept. 30 and get the librarian’s signature will earn one free seasoned beef taco and 1 bean burrito.

• Pottery Barn Kids—“Summer Reading Challenge.”  Through Aug. 24, if children under age 10 read books from one of two lists, Caldecott Medal and Honor Book or Early Readers, they will receive a free book.

• Scholastic—“Scholastic Summer Challenge.”  Children can log reading minutes online to earn digital rewards and enter sweepstakes. More information can be found on the Scholastic website: http://www.scholastic.com/summer/

• Chuck E. Cheese—“Reading Rewards” certificate. Children who complete two weeks of reading will get 10 free tokens. (A food purchase is also required.) 

• Tampa Bay Rays—“Reading with the Rays.”  Students in grades three through five who log three or more hours win Rays prizes: tattoos, posters, slap bracelets. Read 24 hours total over the summer and receive one ticket to a Rays home game.