Teacher Appreciation & Summer Reading

Yesterday as I was scrolling through Facebook, I noticed a lot of my former coworkers had shared a post regarding Teacher Appreciation Week. The post asked for updates from parents or former students, stating something along the lines of, “If I ever taught you or your child, this year for Teacher Appreciation Week please share what you (or your child) are up to now.” I, of course, read through some of the comments. And on one friend’s comments, a mom posted an update that her son was now a rescue swimmer in the Navy and included a photo.

As it turns out, I had also taught him a few years before my friend did. I had taught him in first grade, and my friend was his third grade teacher. I loved seeing this update, as I am sure most teachers who received updates on their former students did, too.

So, as a reminder, what your child’s teacher might appreciate most is knowing her “kids” are doing all right. Even years later, when said kid is probably 21 or so and making said teacher feel super old! For actual presents, here are some fabulous gift ideas for the end of the school year or teacher appreciation.

Seeing the teacher appreciation posts and finding that update about one of my own former students was definitely a reminder for me of how time flies. It’s been eight years since I last taught in a school setting, but as Natalie Goldberg wrote in Writing Down the Bones, “You can’t divorce yourself from parts of yourself.” I’m sure there’ll always be a bit of teacher in me. And with that, I’ll pass along a little advice.

First, summer slide is real, and your kiddos will be better off next school year if you can keep them actively engaged in learning throughout the summer. Second, reading is a life skill, making literacy important for adults and children alike. So, when someone asks what your family plans to do this summer, I hope reading makes the list. Here are three ways to add more reading into your family’s routines:

1. Use DoD MWR’s Summer Reading Program.

Last year, more than 200 military installations worldwide offered the program, and the 2020 Annual Report shows that more than 43,000 readers participated. This year’s program is titled “Reading Colors Your World” and begins in June. Many of the installations libraries even offer chances to earn prizes, so be sure to log your reading minutes through beanstack. (Hint: there’s also a beanstack app for mobile devices and a free printable for youngsters!) If you aren’t currently living near a military installation, you can still join in through the virtual library to participate. Plus, this program is open to readers of all ages, so your whole family can read together, and you can set examples for younger readers to keep at it.

2. Play games (that involve reading).

There are all kinds of games that involve reading of some sort. Board games like The Game of Life and Monopoly have cards and tiles for players to read, trivia games are always full of cards to read, and you can even make up your own games with sight words for younger readers (think match, bingo, or sight word go fish).

3. Let your kids read everything.

Spending the day making chocolate chip cookies? Read the recipe together! (And snag your library’s copy of One Smart Cookie by Amy Krouse Rosenthal. Psst…there’s probably a kid’s book out there for any activity you’re tackling this summer.) Got a new game for family night? I bet your kiddo can help with the directions. Find words wherever you can. Cereal boxes, street signs, captions on their favorite movie. Got a card in the mail from a pen pal? Wherever there is text, get your kid to help you read it.

I could probably keep the list going, but you have other reading to get to…so, while you are wrapping up this year’s teacher appreciation gift giving, do next year’s teacher a solid and keep your kids reading all summer long.