We have decided to continue the summer reading initiative that we first began two years ago. The purpose of which is to encourage students to become lifelong readers and to provide fun and engaging ways to build their independent reading skills.
- Avoiding the “summer slide”
Children, who read during the summer gain reading skills, while those who do not often slide backward. A considerable body of research indicates that children’s reading ability declines between the end of one school year and the beginning of the next. However, this can be prevented by performing one fundamental task – reading throughout the summer.
- Summer Reading Challenge
To this end we’re asking the children of Scoil Mhuire to read as much as they can and record the books that they read on the summer reading card that they have just received. Please don’t worry about trying to fill out the whole card, just do the best you can! When we return to school in September, we will have a ceremony highlighting and rewarding the efforts of those who engaged in the challenge. Last year’s ceremony was a great success and you can read about it here: https://www.scoilmhuire.ie/index.php/summer-reading-celebration/
- Summer Stars
Libraries all around the country, including Lucan, are also running a summer reading challenge called ‘Summer Stars’. Each child who registers for the programme will receive their own Summer Stars Reading Card to record their progress. Fun rewards will be provided along the way. At the end of the programme, all children who have participated will be invited to attend an awards event. Scoil Mhuire are also happy to accept all Summer Stars Reading Cards in place of our own. To find out more visit: http://www.librariesireland.ie/summer-stars/ and/or follow @starsreading on Twitter.
- Supporting your child
We’re asking you to encourage your children to read as much as possible and to monitor their record keeping. If you’re not sure of what books they should be reading there are lots of websites that will give great recommendations. Here are just a few:
- Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge: http://www.scholastic.com/ups/campaigns/src-2016
- Children’s Books Ireland: http://www.childrensbooksireland.ie/recommended-reads
- Reading Rockets: http://www.readingrockets.org/calendar/summer
Lucan library are also great for recommending books and they have a wonderful selection of some of the latest children’s stories. If your child experiences reading difficulties they could avail of the large selection of audio books that the library have. They also have a range of e-Books too.
Thank you in advance for taking part and we hope you have a great summer.
If you were not here to receive your card and the letter. You can download and print them by clicking the following links:
Summer Reading Card
Cover Letter
Here are some pictures of our lucky winners from 2015’s reading challenge
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