Summarizing teaches students how to identify the most important ideas in a text, how to ignore irrelevant information, and how to integrate the central ideas in a meaningful way. Teaching students to summarize improves their memory for what is read. Summarization strategies can be used in almost every content area.
Parent tips for active, hands-on explorations and reading activities that keep your child learning during the summer. Part of our Growing Readers series.
Children are full of questions about the world around them, and summer is a perfect time to tap into your child’s interests. Here are some ways to start a journey of discovery together.
For most parents, it’s a challenge to keep kids reading and writing all summer. Dive into these 10 ideas to help make this summer full of fun, creativity, and learning.
Experience the thrill of victory, the agony of defeat, and the general fun of the Olympics with these recommended “gold medal” books for kids ages 0-9. Tap into the hubbub surrounding summertime sports by kicking in these winning nonfiction, poetry, and picture books for kids to read.
July is Parks & Recreation Month — a month devoted to the benefits and fun of nature, being outdoors, games and sports. This year’s theme, “Get Wild” about recreation encourages enjoyment of parks and play, outdoor activities and celebrations!
Summer is a great time to encourage kids to read and actively explore the world. Books can be the perfect springboard to building background knowledge and a love of reading.
Ron Fairchild and Loriene Roy — nationally recognized experts on reading and summer learning — address how to make the most out of the summer months. Taking advantage of high-quality programs and accessing community resources can turn potential summer loss into summer gain.
Summer is a welcome break from the pace of the school year. But it’s important to keep the learning going! Here are some ideas about how to make summer a great time for reading, writing, exploring, thinking, creating, and learning with your kids.
Libraries today have changed in a number of ways to meet the demands of our modern society, but their underlying purpose for children is still to help them discover the joy of reading. As summer peaks, many local libraries advertise special summer reading programs and activities to keep children enthusiastic about reading.
Whether children and families vacation away or stay near home, these are essential. No summer is complete without them. They travel well in cars or buses, on boats, on trains or planes. They tuck into suitcases, backpacks, and under arms. Most can be opened without electricity and are easily shared among many. They’re fun and are good for children and adults alike! And the long summer days are a great time for children to engage with these alone or can be shared with children. What are we talking about? Books and reading, of course! So grab a book, find a comfy place, and enjoy!
Books — physical, audio or eBooks — tell lots of tales. These stories can be true or imagined; they can be historical or contemporary; they can be illustrated with photographs or with paints. And most important, they can be shared at home, on vacation, in the car, on a plane or boat, here or there — anywhere, actually! Books and stories of fact and fiction make great summer companions for children and are ideal for adults to share with children. So grab a book, find a comfy place, and enjoy!
