Joshua’s House

Click here for printable PDF

Many parents like to get their children involved in a summer reading program. It’s no wonder with all of the great benefits. Here are just a few:

• TV-free entertainment
• Imagination is utilized and expanded
• Kids have the opportunity to learn about all kinds of things

Why stop at just a reading program? Why not provide an opportunity for your children to learn how to evaluate their world from a Biblical perspective?

Step 1: Set Goals and Rewards
Based on your child’s age and interests, set goals and rewards that will encourage him to read more. For children under 10 years old set goals by number of books read. For kids 10 and over, try setting goals by number of pages read.

It’s also important to set more than one goal. You want to challenge your child to reach for more. If you set only one goal at 10 books, your daughter may not have motivation to keep on reading. Here is an example of goals and rewards. Number of books would be used for younger children while page goals are for older kids:

15 books/ 400 pages —— Ice cream at Dairy Queen
23 books/ 700 pages —— Ice cream and mini golf
30 books/1000 pages - - - - Ice cream, mini golf and go karts

Make sure to set a final date so your children know when their goal must be reached.

Step 2: Gather Your Materials
Usually when kids enroll in a summer reading program at their local library, they are given a reading log and a bookmark. We have some of those available for you, along with book review worksheets by age group. It is really important that your kids fill our the book review and have you look over it before they can add their book to the log. This gives you a great opportunity for valuable conversation and it insures that your children are comprehending what they are reading rather than zooming through books for the reward.

I recommend downloading the Microsoft Word version of these files so that you can edit and personalize them. They are also available in PDF format if you click the link at the beginning of this Family Fun Idea.

This is a reading log to keep track of all the reading your kids do this summer. Use it just like it is or change the pictures and other elements to fit your child’s interests.
Microsoft Word Reading Log
PDF Reading Log
Bonus: Printable Bookmarks

Print these book review sheets out to encourage your children to evaluate what they are reading. (For PDF Versions, click the link at the top of this Family Fun Idea.) Choose the grade level that your son or daughter will be entering next school year.

K-2 Book Review Worksheet (Microsoft Word)
3-5 Book Review Worksheet (Microsoft Word)
6-12 Book Review Worksheet (Microsoft Word)

Step 3: Encourage Your Kids
Make sure to encourage your children as they read. Take time to read with or to younger children to help them reach their goals. Suggest books that may interest older children.

Step 4: Celebrate
Enjoy whatever form of celebration you choose for your children. Ask everyone to share the best book they read over the summer along with a book they didn’t like that much. Ask them to tell everyone a little about both books.

Do you have any summer reading program ideas? Share them with us!