Recently, I visited a number of elementary schools with Joanne Church, librarian at Dewitt Middle School, and Adelle Leise, from the Tompkins County Public Library (TCPL).  We met with 5th graders who will be entering middle school in the fall and encouraged them to do some pleasure reading over the summer.  We reminded them that reading helps retain learning ("keeps their brains in condition") so they won’t fall behind in school.  Reading is much more than a skill, it’s a lifestyle!

We gave each student a summer bus pass from TCAT so they could more easily get to TCPL for summer reading activities.  We also introduced a summer reading program that includes a promotion where they keep track of the number of minutes they read each week throughout summer so they could win various prizes.  They were quite excited about that!  Each student also got a free book during our visit.

The transition from elementary to middle school is a great time for students to take more responsibility for their learning. In middle school, there won't be a period every week when they go to the school library to get books.  This can be a time of more choices and greater independence.

Let’s encourage all our children to read more!  As my friend John Simon wrote in his popular song: “word by word, line by line, reading opens up your mind”.  Remember, our children have brilliant minds!