Summer Reading Programs for Special Needs Students

Most of this post is from June 7, 2008.

June is National Audiobook Month, did you know that?  As part of their "Get Caught Reading Campaign" the National Publishers Association has launched a "Get Caught Listening" Campaign for June.  It is the perfect tie in to a Special Needs Summer Reading Program or a Summer Literacy through Listening Program.  Teacher can order Get Caught Listening Posters and review Get Caught Listening for Teachers.

Summer reading programs are a staple in schools. They are also often sponsored by local libraries, book stores and other programs. As I have written before such programs can be adapted to our learners. An article on LD Online suggests the possibility of developing a summer listening program for learners with special needs. I love this idea and all of the suggestions on how to do it. From e-books with text-to-speech, to parents reading to children, to downloaded MP3 audio books and audio books from the library on a CD player. Also there are interactive books like Silly Books, TumbleBooks, and Bookflix. (Our local library website for access before purchasing)

Sites and Articles about Summer Book Programs

• Reading Rockets Getting Ready for Summer
  
• Adolescent Literacy Summer Learning for Teens
• Develop a Summer Listening Program from LD OnLine
• Summer Reading Article from Don Johnston

Where to Find Summer Book Programs (There is no reason a student with a disability should not be able to count books listened to instead of read)

• Active Bodies Active Minds Reading Challenge
• Barnes and Nobles Passport to Summer Reading (earn a free book)
• Book It Summer Break Program
• Learning Through Listening Summer Reading Fun
• Scholastic Summer Challenge
• Reading Warriors
• Your school
• Your local library
• Your local book store

Free Recorded Books for Those with Disabilities

• Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
• Bookshare

Download Audiobooks

• Audible $
• Audiobooks for Free
• Lit2GO MP3 Stories
• Literal Systems Free Audiobooks
• Loud Lit
• Story Nory
• Your Local Library

Electronic Books

• Tumblebooks ($ubscription, many libraries offer)
• Bookflix ($ubscription, many libraries offer)
• Silly Books
• RAZ Kids ($ubscription)
• Kid Thing (purchase individual books)
• Also E-books for e-readers with text-to-speech (Kindle, Nook, iPhone, iPad)
• Don't forget books adapted for Boardmaker Plus, Clicker and Classroom Suite at their sharing sites or the Accessible Book Collection

Websites to Share with Parents

• Reading is Fundamental Reading as a Family

Audiobooks in the Classroom

• Learning Through Listening Website
• The Power of Audiobooks

Worksheets

• Free Audio Thought Worksheets from Don Johnston

Books About Children/Young Adults with Disabilities

• Amazon's Disability Book List
• Turtle Books
• Woodbine Children's Books
• "Be Quiet, Marina!"
• "Susan Laughs"
• "Rolling Along"
• Easter Seals Book List
• Rules by Cynthia Lord (the Audible.com version is excellent)
• 22 Books on Disability

Creating a Summer Book Program

Image via WikipediaSummer reading programs are a staple in schools. They are also often sponsored by local libraries, book stores and other programs. As I have written before such programs can be adapted to our learners. An article on LD Online suggests the possibility of developing a summer listening program for learners with special needs. I love this idea and all of the suggestions on how to do it. From e-books with text-to-speech, to parents reading to children, to downloaded MP3 audio books and audio books from the library on a CD player. Also there are interactive books like Silly Books, TumbleBooks, and Bookflix. (Our local library just added Bookflix to their website.)

Sites and Articles about Summer Book Programs

• Reading Rockets Getting Ready for Summer
  
• Adolescent Literacy Summer Learning for Teens
• Develop a Summer Listening Program from LD OnLine
• Summer Reading Article from Don Johnston
  

Where to Find Summer Book Programs (There is no reason a student with a disability should not be able to count books listened to instead of read)

• Active Bodies Active Minds Reading Challenge
• Barnes and Nobles
  
• Book It Brain Food Program
• Scholastic Summer Reading Buzz
• Reading Warriors
• Your school
• Your local library
• Your local book store
  

Free Recorded Books for Those with Disabilities

• Recording for the Blind and Dyslexic
• Bookshare
  

Download Audiobooks

• Audible Kids $$$
• Audible$$$
• Audiobooks for Free
• Lit2GO MP3 Stories
• Literal Systems Free Audiobooks
• Loud Lit
• Story Nory
  

Electronic Interactive Books

• Tumblebooks ($ubscription, many libraries offer)
• Bookflix ($ubscription, many libraries offer)
• Silly Books
• RAZ Kids ($ubscription)
• Kid Thing (purchase individual books)
  

Websites to Share with Parents

• Reading is Fundamental Reading as a Family

Worksheets

• Free Audio Thought Worksheets from Don Johnston
  

Free Book for Students

Image via WikipediaIf you teach students ages 6 to 13 or so you might want to encourage them to participate in Barnes and Nobles new summer reading program, Summer Reading with Andrew Clements. Students can get a free book from a list of exceptional paperbacks for children when they submit a completed reading journal.

Here is a link to an adapted reading journal using picture symbols students could fill out using labels (with or without pictures) pre-printed either by a student using a program like Classroom Suite to "type" and then printed onto sticker paper or pre-printed by a parent or teacher. This alternative jounral could be submitted attached to a copy of the journal filled in by the teacher or a parent (to give non-readers/non-writers or alternative readers/writers) some ownership of filling out the form.

In other, similar programs and contests many store managers will let older special needs student participate or compete at their ability level or using adaptations (book on tape, screen reader, adapted texts). Usually this is up to the local store manager, so go ahead and ask if your older students can participate. It can't hurt.