Have You & Your Children Joined the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge?

posted by Stacie on June 15, 2015 // 36 Comments »

Last month we shared with you that we are part of the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge. My kids signed up and we are actively logging all of their reading time.

Now in its 9^th year, the Scholastic Summer Reading Challenge is a free online reading program dedicated to stopping the “summer slide” by encouraging kids to read throughout the summer months when school is out. This year’s challenge theme is “Power Up & Read,” powered by ENERGIZER®.

WHY SHOULD KIDS READ THIS SUMMER?

Kids fall prey to the “summer slide,” the common loss of skills due to being out of school, when they do not read over the summer. In fact, research shows Teachers spend four to six weeks re-teaching materials to students because of the “summer slide”—the learning losses which can occur when school is not in session. (Alexander et. al, 2007)

Summer is the perfect time for a child to discover the power of choice. According to the Kids & Family Reading Report, 5^th edition, 91% of kids (ages 6-17) say that their favorite books are the ones they pick out themselves.

HOW DOES THE SCHOLASTIC READING CHALLENGE WORK?

Starting May 4, 2015 – September 4, 2015, kids can log their reading minutes (online and via mobile) as they read to break last year’s world record of 304,749,861 minutes. Kids can also enter monthly sweepstakes to win fabulous prizes, and earn digital rewards when they complete weekly reading challenges.

Parents can sign-up their kids at www.scholastic.com/summer. It’s FREE plus it is so easy for kids to log their reading minutes.

WHAT'S NEW THIS YEAR FOR KIDS?

Kids can unlock 12 original short stories (exclusively for this year’s challenge) from favorite children’s authors and access never-before-seen videos from the authors! Each of the authors has written a unique short story using the same opening sentence, which is, “I glanced over my shoulder to make sure that no one had followed me into the shadowy library, then took a deep breath and opened the glowing book…”

The authors include Blue Balliett, Patrik Henry Bass, Varian Johnson, Gordon Korman, Michael Northtrop, Maggie Stiefvater and Jackson Pierce, Roland Smith, R.L. Stine, Tui T. Sutherland, Lauren Tarshis, Wendy Wan-Long Shang and Jude Watson.

Each story has a “read along” audio component, inviting kids of all ages and reading levels to enjoy these highly engaging stories.

They can play the new “innovation machine” game, an interactive creative writing game, and enter its contest to win prizes.
Kids can log minutes on-the-go to earn digital rewards and badges as they hit reading milestones.

WHAT'S NEW THIS YEAR FOR PARENTS?

The parents site features new, daily tips for parents called “The Daily Digest.” Parents can download free resources, including printables and booklists for kids of all ages. I am loving the parent portion of the site and I find myself using it several times per week.

Parents can enter weekly sweepstakes to win a “Power Up & Read Kit” and watch videos about summer reading activities to keep you “innovative” all summer long. The prize pack includes: Scholastic tote bag, water bottle, a copy of Reading Unbound by Jeffrey Wilhelm and Michael Smith, $10 gift certificate to Scholastic Store Online, Energizer® brand batteries, Scholastic books, and more.

ENERGIZER INSTANT WIN GAME

Energizer® and Scholastic are partnering to create the “Power the Possibilities” campaign which gives moms the tools they need to unlock their child’s talents, fuel their ambitions and set them up for future success. Starting May 4, 2015, parents can buy any specially marked pack of Energizer® brand batteries to scratch for a chance to win one of thousands of prizes that will power discovery and learning.

Prizes include a family trip to New York City, a Scholastic Study Corner Makeover, a tablet with Scholastic apps, a library of Scholastic books and more! Everyone who plays can also download free digital stories for their family.