A Beach Bag Full of Summer Learning Resources

Write On!

• Arrange for your students to blog in a safe, closed community. Edublogs offers teachers and students free blog space and appropriate security. Students will need an e-mail address in order to create an account. Free, disposable e-mail accounts are available at Mailinator. Students can create an account there, use the address long enough to establish the blog and password, and then abandon the e-mail account.
• Lots of publishers offer free books and advance reader's copies just for telling them what you think. Check out these opportunities for teens to read and write book reviews.

Resources to Share with Teens

• Parent-Teen online magazine has some great ideas for summer activities that can help teens get into college. Examples include doing independent study with the supervision of a mentor and pursuing enrichment opportunities on local college campuses.
• Encourage teens to read the books nominated as a favorite book of 2008, so teens can vote online for their favorites during Teen Read Week in October. The ten titles with the most votes become YALSA's official 2008 Teen's Top Ten List.
• These resources from College Board remind teens that summer school isn't just for kids who need to catch up. Summer school can give teens a chance to pursue their interests, to try some hands-on activities outside the classroom, or to try a college-level course.

Reading Incentive Programs

• Harper Collins Reading Warriors

  The Reading Warriors Summer Reading Challenge is rooted in the legends and adventures of the feline characters in Erin Hunter's bestselling Warriors series. The Challenge includes reading lists, games, and tips for reading mentors.

• Major League Soccer Summer Reading Challenge

  Major League Soccer is sponsoring a reading challenge for students up to Grade 8. Check out their reading lists and complete your reading log, and you just might win a trip to the 2008 MLS All-Star Game or a session at the David Beckham Academy.

Beyond Reading and Writing

• Kids who participate in community service activities develop new skills, along with self-confidence and self-esteem. Youth Service America offers 100 Ways to Make a Difference in Your Community.
• Promote healthy and balanced media use at home during the summer. The PACT from the National PTA can help kids and parents reach good screen-time compromises.