In today's blog post, I will be sharing how parents and guardians of small children who are in kindergarten to grade 3 can incorporate fun summer reading while celebrating the 4th of July!
But first, let's learn a little bit about Independence Day and why we celebrate it!
But first, let's learn a little bit about Independence Day and why we celebrate it!
The Fourth of July is America's birthday!
On July 4, 1776, America's founders declared independence from Great Britain. Before, they had to follow the rules of Britain's king. The founders decided to go to war with Britain so they could have the freedom to govern themselves. In 1783, the new United States won the Revolutionary war.
What does the stars & stripes on the flag mean?
The 50 stars stand for the 50 states. The 13 stripes stand for the 13 British colonies who declared their independence on July 4, 1776.
The flag is a symbol that reminds everyone that our country guarantees us the freedom to practice religion the way we want, say or write what we want, and go where we want.
School is over! Why is literacy still so crucial over the summer?
Summer Reading Statistics shows us that:
-By the end of the 5th grade, low-income children who do not read 4-5 books over the summer may end up being 2.5 years behind their more affluent peers.
-Students score lower on standardized tests when they do not participate in any literacy activities over summer vacation.
Summer Reading Statistics shows us that:
-By the end of the 5th grade, low-income children who do not read 4-5 books over the summer may end up being 2.5 years behind their more affluent peers.
-Students score lower on standardized tests when they do not participate in any literacy activities over summer vacation.
What can parents do to incorporate literacy while celebrating Independence Day?
There are hundreds of books out here about the 4th of July. But, what if you could locate a book that was your child's reading level and was able to quiz them while you were celebrating the day at the beach, pool, park or even in your own backyard?
Here is a cute book about a dog called Biscuit who celebrates America's birthday. he attends a parade and watches the fireworks, and he even has lots of treats to share with his friends and family.
This book of fiction is recommended for Lower Grades K-3 and has 212 words.
Quiz your child on their summer readings!
I remember when my daughters were younger. They used to love picking out books at the library and the book store. When they weren't looking, I would read the books myself and would create 15 questions with answers. Five questions would be from the beginning the book, five from the middle of the book and five from the end of the book.
Once they were done reading the books, I would surprise them with the book quizzes while we were out at the park or on vacation. I would reward them with a souvenir or a nice summer treat when it was completed.
Here is a sample of a quiz based on the book Biscuit's Fourth of July that you can use as a template to get you started! Let's keep our children reading so they do not get left behind!
1 What does Biscuit help with?
The flag
The streamers
The food
The fireworks
Correct Answer: The streamers
2 Who is fun to celebrate with?
Family and friends
Neighbors
Aunts and uncles
Cousins
Correct Answer: Family and friends
3 What colors do they use to decorate?
Orange and black
Red, white & blue
Pink and purple
Green and red
Correct Answer: Red, white & blue
4 What did they watch?
A television show
A fire
A movie
A parade
Correct Answer: A parade
5 What kind of pie would they have?
Cherry
Pumpkin
Apple
Blueberry
Correct Answer: Apple
6 What day is it?
Memorial Day
Veterans Day
The Fourth of July
Flag Day
Correct Answer: The Fourth of July
7 Who hangs the flag?
The Dad
The Mom
The girl
Biscuit
Correct Answer: The girl
8 What is celebrated on the Fourth of July?
The girl's birthday
America's birthday
Biscuit's birthday
Dad's birthday
Correct Answer: America's birthday
9 What did the girl play with Biscuit?
Fetch
Rollover
Frisbee
Baseball
Correct Answer: Fetch
10 Who wanted the blanket?
The girl
The kitten
Biscuit
The dad
Correct Answer: Biscuit
11 What did Biscuit find?
Peaches
Strawberries
A bone
A dog treat
Correct Answer: Strawberries
12 What was there lots of?
Watermelon and ice cream
Cotton candy
Hot dogs and chips
Pop and candy
Correct Answer: Watermelon and ice cream
13 Who was in the parade?
The band
The mayor
A movie star
Clowns
Correct Answer: The band
14 Where were they going for the picnic?
To the park
To grandma's
To the lake
To the mountains
Correct Answer: To the park
15 Where did Biscuit and the girl watch the fireworks?
In the backyard
On top of the picnic table
On the blanket
By the seashore
Correct Answer: On top of the picnic table
I remember when my daughters were younger. They used to love picking out books at the library and the book store. When they weren't looking, I would read the books myself and would create 15 questions with answers. Five questions would be from the beginning the book, five from the middle of the book and five from the end of the book.
Once they were done reading the books, I would surprise them with the book quizzes while we were out at the park or on vacation. I would reward them with a souvenir or a nice summer treat when it was completed.
Here is a sample of a quiz based on the book Biscuit's Fourth of July that you can use as a template to get you started! Let's keep our children reading so they do not get left behind!
1 What does Biscuit help with?
The flag
The streamers
The food
The fireworks
Correct Answer: The streamers
2 Who is fun to celebrate with?
Family and friends
Neighbors
Aunts and uncles
Cousins
Correct Answer: Family and friends
3 What colors do they use to decorate?
Orange and black
Red, white & blue
Pink and purple
Green and red
Correct Answer: Red, white & blue
4 What did they watch?
A television show
A fire
A movie
A parade
Correct Answer: A parade
5 What kind of pie would they have?
Cherry
Pumpkin
Apple
Blueberry
Correct Answer: Apple
6 What day is it?
Memorial Day
Veterans Day
The Fourth of July
Flag Day
Correct Answer: The Fourth of July
7 Who hangs the flag?
The Dad
The Mom
The girl
Biscuit
Correct Answer: The girl
8 What is celebrated on the Fourth of July?
The girl's birthday
America's birthday
Biscuit's birthday
Dad's birthday
Correct Answer: America's birthday
9 What did the girl play with Biscuit?
Fetch
Rollover
Frisbee
Baseball
Correct Answer: Fetch
10 Who wanted the blanket?
The girl
The kitten
Biscuit
The dad
Correct Answer: Biscuit
11 What did Biscuit find?
Peaches
Strawberries
A bone
A dog treat
Correct Answer: Strawberries
12 What was there lots of?
Watermelon and ice cream
Cotton candy
Hot dogs and chips
Pop and candy
Correct Answer: Watermelon and ice cream
13 Who was in the parade?
The band
The mayor
A movie star
Clowns
Correct Answer: The band
14 Where were they going for the picnic?
To the park
To grandma's
To the lake
To the mountains
Correct Answer: To the park
15 Where did Biscuit and the girl watch the fireworks?
In the backyard
On top of the picnic table
On the blanket
By the seashore
Correct Answer: On top of the picnic table
Literacy Matters!
If you are a parent, guardian or just a lover of literacy and enjoyed reading this blog and would love to learn more about our organization and what we are doing to rid illiteracy one child at a time, visit us over at www.ceelearn.com
 | AuthorMy name is Cee Strickland, and I’m the founder of Cee & Learn. I live in New Jersey. I am a Literacy Awareness Coach, Advocate, Tutor, Speaker, Facilitator & Writer. I have 3 daughters and 3 grand-kids. I love dark chocolate! I am also a pageant queen whose platform is literacy! Read my full bio by clicking here. Literacy Matters! |
Sources:
“4th Of July - Teaching the Significance of July 4th - Patriotism for Kids.” Grandparents.com, www.grandparents.com/grandkids/holiday-activities-and-crafts/7-ways-to-teach-patriotism-to-your.
“Book Adventure.” Book Adventure | Free Reading Program, www.bookadventure.com/quiz_o_matic/quiz.aspx.
“Summer Reading Statistics: Is Summer Brain Drain a Reality?” Bright Hub Education, 26 June 2015, www.brighthubeducation.com/summer-learning-activities-ideas/78894-how-reading-prevents-summer-learning-loss/.
“4th Of July - Teaching the Significance of July 4th - Patriotism for Kids.” Grandparents.com, www.grandparents.com/grandkids/holiday-activities-and-crafts/7-ways-to-teach-patriotism-to-your.
“Book Adventure.” Book Adventure | Free Reading Program, www.bookadventure.com/quiz_o_matic/quiz.aspx.
“Summer Reading Statistics: Is Summer Brain Drain a Reality?” Bright Hub Education, 26 June 2015, www.brighthubeducation.com/summer-learning-activities-ideas/78894-how-reading-prevents-summer-learning-loss/.