Summer Reading, Writing and Math

Summer is definitely a time for play!  But I do believe it is also a time to keep up the skills learned and not let them lag so each day we still do some reading/writing/math.  Riley and Julia are doing math on www.ixl.com which is a math website.  They really enjoy it.  This summer Julia does it just for fun and it is done when she is in the mood.  Not required.  Riley has to do one section of ixl a day and she gets to choose it.

She doesn't want to do any Kindergarten sections this year.  Only First Grade.  She has challenged herself by picking out sections of math that they didn't cover last year.  So far she has reviewed money and counting including skip counting by 2,3,5,and 10, greater and lesser than symbols and days of the week.  Each section takes her about 10 minutes which is perfect for her age.

For reading she has to read at least a chapter from one book a day and I keep track of her reading on www.reading-rewards.com.  I set up rewards for her to earn and she earns badges as well.  Rewards range from a sleepover with a friend at our house, ice cream, Paciugo, choosing our dinner that night or extra iPod time.  I read to Julia during the day and she often listens to Riley read as well.

Whenever she reads the Henry and Mudge books from Mrs. Townzen, she journals in her special journal so she can bring it back to school to show Mrs. Townzen when school begins.

These are the book clubs we are doing this summer.  So easy and such great rewards for kids!!

Barnes and Noble:  Read a certain number of books and get a free book!

Half Price Books:  Read a certain number of books and get $5 toward purchasing books!

Pottery Barn Kids:  Read ten of their books and earn a prize!

The Colony Library:  Read fifteen books and earn coupons!

TDBank:  Not sure if there is one around, but if kids read ten books, they give you $10 in a new account!

I also signed up Riley for a Home Depot Workshop in two weeks.  She and Jeremy will get to build something to do with Despicable Me for free!  And Strikz Bowling alley allows kids to bowl free one time every day through the summer.  Lots of fun!