Prevent the Summer Slide with Hands on Science and Summer Reading Programs

With May here, it seems like summer is truly around the corner. Some of us breathe a sigh of relief while others clamor for things to keep their kids busy or try to strike a nice balance between the two. I like to keep the learning going in fun hands-on ways that are directly tied in to my kids’ interests. Here are some things that I plan to do this summer between pool trips, tending to our backyard garden

Captain Computer loves to use the hose on hot summer days so water experiments are right up his alley. I’m looking forward to trying the Water Power Science Project- Flow & Go Boat that features Curiosity Zone founder, Mary Porter Green, in a science tutorial on MonkeySee.com in our kiddie pool.

MonkeySee currently houses 7 videos with Mary Porter Green that provide step-by-step directions and explain the science behind the experiments in easy to understand ways for children and even adults who don’t love science. All experiments use simple objects you are likely to have in your home to create creating hands on science experiments. Other videos include wind power science with balloon squids, hovercrafts, rocket pinwheels and learning about chemical reactions through a gas-o-meter and rockets.

Nothing is better than coming inside to cool off with a story that transports us to a faraway place in our minds so it is nice to recognize my children’s love of reading by participating in summer reading programs. From our local library’s reading program to those at nearby bookstores, it is fun to write down the many books that we read each day and watch our sheets fill up. Here are summer reading programs for 2010 that will help your kids keep reading all summer long and help them keep up their skills, enrich their vocabulary, and maintain their interest in books until school starts again in the fall.

Scholastic Summer Challenge– WordGirl joins forces with Scholastic for the Read for the World Record challenge. As the Ambassador of Summer Reading, WordGirl will use her “vocabulary strength in a never-ending battle for truth, justice and use of the right word” while kids can create an account and log into The Stacks to record the number of minutes they have read in order to read towards a World Record!

Scholastic also has a variety of helpful resources available for parents such as a list of hot summer reads for all young readers, timeless chapter books, 9 ways to integrate reading into everyday life, and suggestions for enticing a restless reader. For more great suggestions visit Scholastic’s Teacher page that is full of ways to keep your child reading in order to prevent the summer slide.

Barnes and Noble’s Passport to Summer Reading with The 39 Clues capitalizes on the popularity of the 39 Clues series and invites readers in grades 1-6 to join the Cahill family to read 8 books and record them in their reading passport to get a free book and be entered to win an autographed book. Download the form here to start reading and upper elementary 39 Clues fans will enjoy the downloadable printable activities that accompany Barnes & Noble’s summer reading challenge! Teachers can download their own activity kit that is centered around the themes in the 39 Clues.

Borders ’10 Summer Reading Double Dog Dare– Children 12 and under are invited to download Border’s form and read any 10 books of their choice, list them on the form, and return to the store to get a free book. With titles ranging from Beverly Clearly’s Ramona the Brave and Dear Mr. Henshaw, Flat Stanley, award winning Hoot by Carl Hiaasen, to the classics like The Witch of Blackbird Pond and Johnny Tremain, there are many wonderful books to choose from as a nice incentive for reading. Offer is valid in-store and while supplies last so download the form and get reading!

No compensation was received for this post. All images courtesy of Scholastic, Barnes and Noble, and Borders.