Summer is right around the corner! Here are somethings you might consider when helping your child this summer. These tips will help to avoid the “summer slide,” so keep reading! 1. Encourage your child to use illustrations to help him/her understand the story. 2. Ask questions about the beginning, middle, and end of the story. 3. Read both fiction and nonfiction titles for fun. 4. Make sure your child is looking at the beginning letter sounds when initially reading, and encourage them to read through the entire word (i.e. cat; c-a-t) 5. Ask your child to make personal connections when reading. (i.e. Has this ever happened to you? What does this remind you of?) 6. Ask your child to point to each word as they read and to read from left to right and top to bottom.
8. Encourage the use of "reading buddies" learned this year (Eagle Eye, Lips the Fish, Stretchy Snake, Chunky Monkey, Flippy Dolphin, Skippy Frog, Tryin' Lion)
Some GREAT summer titles:
Fiction
At the Beach
by Alexa Andrews; Candice Keimig (Illus.)
Take a trip to the shore and explore sand and sea under the sun.
Luke on the Loose
by Harry Bliss
A young boy leads us on a merry chase, from Central Park across the Brooklyn Bridge.
Beaver Is Lost
by Elisha Cooper
A nearly wordless adventure from country to city and back again.
Yucky Worms
by Vivian French; Jessica Ahlberg (Illus.)
Burrow into the icky world of these wiggly underground friends.
Iris and Walter and Cousin Howie
by Elissa Haden Guest; Christine Davenier (Illus.)
Will Iris lose her best friend Walter to his visiting cousin?
Penny and Her Marble
by Kevin Henkes
Penny must decide if she can keep her shiny prize.
Houndsley and Catina Plink and Plunk
by James Howe; Marie-Louise Gay (Illus.)
A dog and a cat overcome their summer fears together.
Big Trucks
by Deborah Lock
Bold images introduce big rigs, diggers, road rollers and more.
Summer Treasure
by Margaret McNamara; Mike Gordon (Illus.)
What would you do if you saw your teacher...at the beach?
Three Stories You Can Read to Your Teddy Bear
by Sara Swan Miller; True Kelley (Illus.)
A mischievous teddy gets into trouble. Chaos ensues.
Brownie and Pearl Get Dolled Up
by Cynthia Rylant; Brian Biggs (Illus.)
A girl and her cat play dress up before bedtime.
Monkey and Elephant
by Carole Lexa Schaefer; Galia Bernstein (Illus.)
Two friends search for shade on a hot hot day.
Apple Pie Fourth of July
by Janet S. Wong; Margaret Chodos-Irvine (Illus.)
Sweet-and-sour pork and fireworks fit together on America’s birthday.
Nonfiction
Little Rooster’s Diamond Button
by Margaret Read MacDonald; Will Terry (Illus.)
Can this clever fowl and his magic stomach outwit a greedy king?
How Do You Know It’s Summer?
by Lisa M. Herrington
Recognize the signs of every kid’s favorite season.
Volcanoes!
by Anne Schreiber
Fizz! Boom! Explode!!!
Weather
by Kristin Baird Rattini
Blizzards! Lightning! Tornadoes! Experience crazy weather for yourself.
Fly Guy Presents: Sharks
by Tedd Arnold
Buzz and his buzzy buddy take a trip to the aquarium.
Series
Katy Duck by Alyssa Satin Capucilli
Cork & Fuzz by Dori Chaconas
Zelda and Ivy by Laura McGee Kvasnosky
Pearl and Wagner by Kate McMullan
Mr. Putter & Tabby by Cynthia Rylant