At the Y, we believe reading is an important part of growth and development. We want to ensure our youth have access to reading resources both in and out of school.
Active Reading Games:
Spelling Workout - Perform a certain number of a certain exercise to represent each letter. Kids can spell their names or other words. Here is the chart for each Letter.
Sight Word Hopscotch - Create a hopscotch pattern and it each box write one sight word. Here is a list the 100 most common words. On rainy days, use masking tape to create the hopscotch pattern and write words on a piece of tape as well.
Whole Body Spelling - Like spelling “YMCA” with your arms from the famous song. Kids create letter shapes using their bodies. Groups can spell whole words.
Reading Walk - This is a walk where each stop along the way is a page in a book to read. When all the stops have been visited the book is complete. Directions here.
Inexpensive Books:
Greater St. Louis Book Fair has a non-profit day - you must pre-register to attend that day where all remaining books are free to nonprofits.
St. Louis Public Library has Educator Accounts - includes staff for Summer Camp and Y Club
Book Clubs to-go:
Book Discussion Kits are designed for groups to read and discuss the same book. The kits include multiple copies of the book and a discussion guide.
To find out more visit https://www.slcl.org/book-discussion-kits
Summer Reading Programs:
Most of our libraries sponsor summer reading programs that offer incentives for reading during the summer. Typically, the information comes out April or May.
St. Louis County Library https://www.slcl.org/
St. Louis Public Library https://www.slpl.org/
Municipal Library Consortium of St. Louis County https://www.mlc-stl.org/
Reading Bingo:
Play Reading Bingo throughout the week. Print and use this Bingo Card or create your own.
Additional Resources:
Looking for even more reading resources? Check out this great article by TitleMax - Ultimate Guide to Free Reading and Literary Resources. It covers more reading games, writing tips, information for teen and tween readers, and much more.
Active Reading Games:
Spelling Workout - (5 -15 minutes) Perform movements to spell. Here is the chart for each Letter.
Sight Word Hopscotch - (10-30 minutes) Create a hopscotch pattern and it each box write one sight word. Here is a list the 100 most common words. On rainy days, use masking tape to create the hopscotch pattern and write words on a piece of tape as well.
Whole Body Spelling - (5-30 minutes) Like spelling “YMCA” with your arms from the famous song. Kids create letter shapes using their bodies. Groups can spell whole words.
Reading Walk - (20-45 minutes) This is a walk where each stop along the way is a page in a book to read. When all the stops have been visited the book is complete. Directions here.
Inexpensive Books:
Greater St. Louis Book Fair has a non-profit day - you must pre-register to attend that day where all remaining books are free to nonprofits.
St. Louis Public Library has Educator Accounts - includes staff for Summer Camp and Y Club
Free Printable Reading Games:
Free, printable games are a great way to enforce skills in reading. Buy some sandwich sized and gallon sized baggies to store the games and any incidental supplies needed (dice, paper clip, pen) There are many free ones online. Here are some of my favorites:
The Florida Center for Reading Research - I'd be rich if I was paid to promote them. :-)
This Reading Mama, register for access to free printable reading games. For younger elementary.
The Measured Mom has free printable games also. For younger elementary.
Book Clubs:
Book Discussion Kits are designed for groups to read and discuss the same book. The kits include multiple copies of the book and a discussion guide.
To find out more visit https://www.slcl.org/book-discussion-kits
Reading Bingo:
Play Reading Bingo throughout the week. Print and use this Bingo Card or create your own.
5 Finger Rule: How to choose a just right book:
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Choose a book that interests you
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Open to a random page
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Read the page using the following formula
0-1 errors = too easy, consider another book
2-3 errors = just right to read on your own
4-5 errors = too hard, consider another book or read with a buddy
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Try one more page to be sure
Additional Resources:
Looking for even more reading resources? Check out this great article by TitleMax - Ultimate Guide to Free Reading and Literary Resources. It covers more reading games, writing tips, information for teen and tween readers, and much more.
Math Tutoring
The YMCA offers free literacy programs for youth through online platforms. YMCA membership is not required. This program is for students that are at least one grade level or more behind. Students will be assessed before official enrollment. There will be a virtual parent orientation with student assessment following after.
Reading Tutoring
The YMCA offers free literacy programs for youth through online platforms. YMCA membership is not required. This program is for students that are at least one grade level or more behind. Students will be assessed before official enrollment. There will be a virtual parent orientation with student assessment following after.
Volunteer
Youth and teens are more likely to graduate high school if they have strong reading skills. Children who are behind their peers in reading struggle with low self-esteem and feelings of inadequacy. Low achievement in reading is also the common denominator in school discipline, attendance and dropout problems, and juvenile crime.
3 HEALTHY HABITS FOR YOUR KIDS
Beyond simply setting a good example, what else can you do to help your children make healthy choices? Based on research, we have some recommendations for easy changes you can make in your children’s routines to set them up for a healthier life.