Summer Reading: Giveaway

***WINNER OF THE GIVEAWAY*** CONGRATULATIONS TO BEVERLY B. !! Thank you for your posts to facebook as well! To all who participated, THANK YOU! Have a great summer and be on the lookout for our next Freebie or Giveaway!

Summer! Yes, we are quite excited for summer break as I am sure many of you are as well. Vacations. Swimming. Parks. Family visits. Outside a lot. Summer Camps. Family camping trips. The list goes on and on, but don’t forget one important item to include in your child’s summer plans–READING.

**I have put together a fun reading bundle for ONE lucky winner. At the end of this post, you will find how to enter.**

Reading? Wait! I thought this was to to be a vacation from schooling. My kids are going to groan when I mention they have to read over the summer.

Well, if you put it like that, I would groan too. We as parents need to look at education as an everyday “get to” instead of “a must.” Educating our children whether through homeschooling or not, isn’t a chore but a privilege.

Yes, a privilege.

I know many parents look forward to when school starts so they can send their cherubs off to someone else for a few hours of “peace.” And, honestly, who doesn’t feel like that from time to time? Yet, summer is a great time to really see your children for who they are–explorers, adventurers, creative minds, artistic thinkers, etc. Yes, we who homeschool can see a lot of this during the school year, but summer is different. How?

As my child puts it, “Summer is fun days not school days.” In his mind, summer means visiting places without writing about it. During our homeschooling days, when we take a field trip, he is required to do a lap book or a short report about something we see while there. Mind you, he enjoys the lap books or activities, but likes to go somewhere without the added “job.” I chuckle when he says this. Life lessons.

While summer contains a bit more “free time” for a child, adding a bit of reading to their daily schedule is a good thing. Here are some tips to encourage your child to read in the summer:

1. Go by your local library for a list of recommended books for your child’s age to read. (I would go through the list and find appropriate ones for your child. Sometimes, this list includes books with a philosophy that you do not agree with. It is good to flip through the book or research about it before having your child choose it to read. Nothing wrong with being cautious.)
2. Go to a local bookstore to see if they have a summer reading program in which your child can participate. Barnes and Nobles Book Store has a nice summer reading program that rewards children grades 1-6 with a free book if they read 8 during the summer months. We have participated in this program for the past 5 years. My son enjoys this. Find out more about this program here.
3. Let your child know that each day they will need to take 20 minutes of their day to sit and read. Let them pick the book to read.
4. Go to the library once or twice a week for some quick reads and reading activities.
5. Set up your own reading goals and chart with their input. Encourage them to help you with putting the chart together and setting their own goals. Reward them for reaching their reading goals. We like to get a special ice cream or treat when finishing a summer reading goal.

Most importantly, when approaching your child about your requirement to read during the summer months, don’t come to them with the attitude of “read or else.” Instead, come to them with a list of books and some excitement in your voice and a positive attitude. Let them know that they get to pick the book to read. Although you may have a list from which they choose the books to read, it still gives them a choice–the freedom to make their own decision. Isn’t this what we are training them to do? Make good decisions with our guidance? That is exactly what you will be doing with summer reading. Not only that, but reading will keep your child’s mind learning.

Now on to the Summer Reading Book Giveaway!

This giveaway packet includes the following items:

• The Summer Camp from the Black Lagoon
• High Tide in Hawaii (Magic Tree House Books)
• Curious George Rides a Bike
• Amelia Bedelia Means Business
• Arthur Goes to Camp
• Flat Stanley Goes Camping
• Amelia Bedelia Goes Camping
• Read S’more Books reading tracker, bookmarks, and stickers
• “Ready for S’more Knowledge” poster kit (poster, border, tent cards)–These can be used to set up a reading chart station for your child’s summer reading.

How to Enter: (must do these first two to enter)

1. Like this post.
2. Comment a fun summer activity your child enjoys to this post.

For bonus entries:

1. Share this on your instagram stories or facebook page and tag me @dyertyme or @stacyallendyer. (This will give you 10 bonus entries!)
2. Subscribe to my webpage=10 bonus points. (new subscribers only. Those that already subscribe will receive 5 bonus entries if entering this contest.)

One winner (must be 18+ and a U.S. resident) will be randomly chosen on Wednesday, May 15, 2019. The winner will be notified and announced on Thursday, May 14.

This giveaway is in no way sponsored by Instagram or Facebook. This giveaway is sponsored only by dyertyme.com. 

Good luck! and Happy Reading!