Connecting Readers and Writers to the Word: Summer Literacy

For Readers: When choosing literacy activities for the kids and for yourself this summer, most times you don’t have to go any further than your local public library. Activity events range from summer reading for kids and adults to photography, to computer coding, to arts and crafts, to movies.

When speaking about “literacy,” in this day and time, literacy is considered more than just reading and writing. The Literacy Advance of Houston provides an array of literacy definitions from different organizations. Furthermore, Reading Rockets offers a variety of activities that embraces the futuristic concept of literacy with their varied summer literacy challenge.

For Writers: View the Reading Rockets list and look with “new eyes” to consider how you can connect your writing with the activities. For example, if you write picture books, when examining and reading children’s books include wordless books in your study. Remember, when writing, the text should convey a picture in your mind. If it doesn’t, it probably will not speak to a publisher either. Ultimately, the illustrations in a book enhance the story. So to mix things up a bit, draw or find online pictures to convey what you want to write. Afterwards, have fun writing your picture book!

In addition, check out the Reading Rockets Author Interview page, which provides a list of over 100 authors and illustrators. This is yet another way to study authors and find inspiration as you continue your writing journey.

Whether you are a reader, writer, or both, I’m positive you and your children will brainstorm more creative ideas as you read over the Reading Rockets list.

Thanks for stopping by and I invite you to join me again as I continue to explore literacy topics for readers and writers. Please share my blog with others and feel free to subscribe to this publication, so that you don’t miss an issue. 

Vanessa Fortenberry,

Inspirational Author & Speaker

Teacher-Librarian

M.Ed., Media

Ed.S., Media

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