I’m referring to ProntoLessons’ top 10 summer reading programs of 2010. Just like last year, I surfed the ‘Net to find only the most flexible and highest rewarding programs that apply to as most of our readers as possible. I’ve listed this programs out below and I also placed the enroll links here, in essence, making this article your one-stop shop to apply for the best reading programs for 2010.
I don’t know about you but just off the top of my head, the bounty above is worth at least $66…and that’s per child!
The best thing is, knocking off the reading lists should be relatively simple since your child can write down the same book that she read on multiple reading programs. Ok – So without further adieu, here are ProntoLessons’ Top 10 Summer Reading Programs for 2010.First 5 Picks Half-Price Books Feed Your Brain Summer Reading Program
Kids ages 14 and under can earn a $3 gift card for each week that they read for at least 15 minutes a day. This is great news since Half-Price Books was generous enough this year to increase the age eligibility to 14 and under – last year, this program was only for kids 12 and under. From 6/1/10 through 7/31/10 (first 5 weeks already passed, but you can still take advantage of the next 4 weeks!), just ensure your child reads at least 15 minutes for at least 5 days of the week and fill out the Feed Your Brain Weekly Reading Log. Once your child has read enough minutes and days for that week, bring the log to your nearest Half-Price Books and they will give you a gift card for $3. Now I know that doesn’t seem like that much, but this is a used book store where prices are cheap so you dollar will last longer. Also, your child can repeat this weekly reading cycle until 7/31/09 – that’s four weeks times $3 gift card per week…$12! If you have 2 children, that’s $24 worth of gift cards you can use for used books. I can honestly say that this is the BEST deal out there for summer reading – if your child can participate in only one program this year and there is a Half-Price Books near you, make sure she participates in this one!
Intended for grades 1-6, this program requires that your child read any 8 books between 5/25/10 and 9/7/10. The child will need to record the books she read along with her parent’s signature in her Summer Reading Journal. The child can then present her reading log to the nearest Barnes and Noble and she will be entitled to a free book among a pre-selected list of books.
Borders became more generous this year in their summer reading program by offering kids a free book compared to last year, when they offered a coupon worth at least 50% off on certain store products. However, instead of reading 8 books in last year’s program, your child will need to read 10 books. This program is for kids 12 and under – just have your child read any 10 books and record the books in the Borders Summer Reading Double Dog Dare Reading Log along with a parent’s signature. Just present the completed worksheet between 5/4/10 and 8/26/10 and to claim your free book.
Want to develop your child’s reading skills AND introduce her to banking? Have you child (ages 18 and under) read any 10 books and have her record the books in the Summer Reading Book Log Form. Once the form is complete, just take the form to your nearest TD Bank anytime between now and 9/30/10 and they will deposit $10 into a Young Savers account in your child’s name (note: there are no minimum balances for this account so no pesky fees!). What’s great about this deal is that this offer applies to new and existing Young Savers accounts.
Intended for kids 10 and under, read 5 books and get a free Kid’s Meal. I couldn’t find any sort of form to list the 5 books, so I recommend just listing them on paper just in case they ask which books your child read. Also, I couldn’t find any eligibility dates for this, so I would just make sure that this offer is on their website so you can print out and bring with you to the restaurant to redeem your child’s prize. That last part about bringing the physical offer to the restaurant may be viewed as paranoia, but, to each his own, right?
Next 5 Picks
Did you know that Chuck E Cheese offers free tokens for other stuff such as good manners, sleeping all night, tooth fairy, etc.? Anyway, for their reading program, all the child has to do is just read (since there’re no guidelines on how long, I would just assume at least 15 minutes) each day for two weeks (14 days). Complete the Reading Rewards Calendar as your child reads and bring it to the nearest Chuck E Cheese. They will then give you 10 free tokens with the completed calendar and a pizza purchase. This offer lasts until 12/31/10.
This site promotes healthy eating for children. Just have your child read 10 books and fill out the form along with the parent’s initials after each book. Then mail the form per the form instructions (must be postmarked by 10/1/10) and get a free nifty T-shirt – oh, don’t forget to mark your child’s t-shirt size in the form before sending it.
National Amusements is a movie theater chain that owns Cinema de lux, thebridge, Showcase Cinemas, and Multiplex Cinemas. The child must read a book and write a simple book report using their Book Report Form. Just present the completed Book Report Form each Wednesday at 10AM at participating theaters from 7/7/10 through 8/18/10 and that book report will be good for one free admission to the selected movie for that showing – that’s 6 free movies. Sound good? There’s more. Any parents accompanying the child that submitted the book report AND children under 6 years old also get to get in for free!
What’s that you say? Sounds like a great deal, but unfortunately there are no such theaters near you? Well, I’ve got a better deal. Regal Entertainment Group, which owns Regal Cinemas and Edwards Cinemas is offering 9 weeks of free select G and PG each Tuesday and Wednesday at 10AM during its Free Family Film Festival – that’s 18 free movies. This is first-come first-serve so give yourself plenty of time to arrive at the theater. Just click on the link above and select the 9-week schedule for your state and a list should appear for all participating theaters in your state. I know I know – this one doesn’t have anything to do with reading, but I thought I’d throw it in for some EXTRA fun!
Alright – maybe you can tell I really love taking kids to movies (because it’s so hot here in Dallas), but here’s another deal – AMC Theaters is offering a Summer Movie Camp that offers movies on Tuesdays at 10AM from 6/15/10 through 8/10/10 for only $1 per ticket. All admission and concession proceeds will benefit two AMC charities, Variety – The Children’s Charity and the Will Rogers Institute.
- Your Local Library’s Summer Reading Program
Go to Google and enter “[Your City] Library Summer Reading Program” and you’ll find that more often than not, your local library will have some cool stuff for your children’s reading enjoyment.
- Your Own Summer Reading Program
Not satisfied with any of the above? Then create your own reading program. You know your kids the best so I’m sure you can think of the best incentive that will motivate them to read this summer. Designed right, I think that this one will be the best summer reading program of them all.
Strategy
Ok. Now that you have the 411 on the top reading programs this summer, let’s talk strategy on how to best scoop up the incentives above.
I recommend that your child reads 10 books this summer starting as soon as possible AFTER she’s had some time to relax – let her enjoy the fruits of her accomplishments. Now, try to have your child read all 10 books by 8/26/10. If your child starts next week and reads at least 15 minutes a day, she can pretty much clean up on ALL the incentives above.
Ok - I’ve laid out the best programs and the best approach – hope you will take advantage of the treats above – have a great summer!
- Sun
Sun Bae is the father of twins and has been homeschooling ever since they could talk.
He is also the creator of ProntoLessons, a website that offers a homeschool curriculum in American history for kids ages 6-8.
Specifically, his website includes 37 lessons that cover the immigration history of the American people; why they left their homes, what challenges they faced when they arrived to the U.S., and the contributions that they gave to our great nation.
The lessons are 100% scripted, which are perfect for homeschool educators who may not have had too much experience teaching in a more "formal" setting. Also, the lessons, intended as a 37-week full school year curriculum, is offered free to families who choose to use them.
Contact Sun by visiting ProntoLessons at http://www.prontolessons.com.
