As you are making your summer plans, consider taking some day trips with children to some of the wonderful local attractions West Michigan has to offer.

Fredrik Meijer Garden

My daughter and I spent the day at Fredrik Meijer Gardens this past week and I was amazed by all of the reading opportunities

we had during the day.  From the moment we walked up to the front door and she read the entrance sign till when we were driving away and looking for the speed limit signs.  We made a game out of finding everything we could to read and without her even realizing it she had finished her fifteen minutes of NFL Reading and then some.

Reading is every where

Once you return home from your trip ask your child to write about their day, this not only will help them keep writing during the summer it also is something that could be shared on the Pinewoodblog.  Email me their writing and/or pictures and we can share other fun places to visit and spice up our daily reading minutes this summer.

For older children reading unfamiliar words is great. For younger kids picking out high frequency words and letters is another fun option.