Summer reading is a passion of mine. I’ve developed a summer reading launch unit for teachers to use in the past, so I adapted it for quaranteaching. The goal of the units, one for primary and another for intermediate, is to set up students for success for summer reading: figuring out their best reading routines, sharing book talks, and setting a summer reading goal. There are lots of accompanying resources: an info session video and accompanying presentation for families, book lists from trusted sources, and a collection of themed, digital Bitmoji libaries curated by Center teachers! I want summer 2020 reading to be our most successful ever!

Here is this week’s roundup of literacy links for some quick inspiration, tips, and refreshment:

• LOVE the ideas in “Some Summer Writing Motivation” from Two Writing Teachers – have students make their OWN toolkits? Brilliant!
• “Make Art from Junk Mail” – great ideas for minibooks!
• Usually a voracious reader, I just haven’t been able to read independently during quarantine. I’ve ended up trying a lot of the tips in Austin Kleon’s “If you’re having trouble reading right now…”
• Chapters of J.K. Rowling’s newest story are being released daily along with a contest!
• Very affordable summer PD opportunities for all picture book lovers from #classroombookaday creator, Jillian Heise!
• A couple greenbelt writing resources:
  • “How to Reinvigorate Writing Workshop with Joy Through Independent Writing Projects” from Two Writing Teachers
  • “Greenbelt Writing Project” from Buffy Hamilton on SlideShare
• Mental Health Break – a 10-year-old’s passion project