As we do from time to time, GCP has scouted the web and found some really interesting sites for you to check out:

The Educators’ Spin On It: Recently voted “Best on Pinterest” by Parents Magazine, this pinterest board (found here) and website (found here) are chock full of interesting and creative ideas for fun projects for parents and kids to do together. Two former elementary school teachers have pooled their experience as educators and moms to create these sites through which they pass along all sorts of creative ways to make “everyday moments into teachable opportunities”. At both sites you will find activities about reading, math, science, literacy, cooking, gardening, crafting, writing, and learning a second language for Ages 0 to 8. Lots of really great suggestions, just in time as you start to plan how to help your children avoid the “summer slide” away from active learning.

Speaking of the brain drain that summer break can bring on, here is your chance to hear more about it, and have your questions about it answered as well. On Thursday May 8th, 9pm EST, Educational Psychologist Michele Borba will participate in the first ever Parent Toolkit Twitter Chat, where she will answer your questions about how to help your children stay sharp over the summer. We wrote about the Parent Toolkit back in October 2013 (Education Nation: Parent’s Toolkit, October 3, 2013), a website that offers parents great resources to hep guide their children’s academic development. Here’s how the Parent’s Toolkit Twitter chat works: Send your questions to @EducationNation now using #ToolkitTalk and join them for the live conversation with Michele on May 8th where she will answer your questions and more. And be sure to check out the Parent’s Toolkit website here. Great and useful stuff!

Summer Reading 2014 Sites: Despite what you may be experiencing weather wise in your neck of the woods, Summer is approaching quickly, and along with Summer comes Summer Reading Programs!

Today Scholastic announced its 2014 Summer Reading Challenge. This is its annual effort to encourage reading globally. Head over to their Summer Reading Challenge website (found here) and read all about it. Children are encouraged to read every day, log their minutes into a global log, take weekly challenges and earn rewards, and help set a new reading world record. This year’s theme is “Reading Under the Stars”, and the home page features videos from astronauts (a diverse crew of astronauts, thank you Scholastic) talking about their work in space and encouraging kids to join the Summer Reading Challenge.

Does your teenager like to read the New York Times? Even if he doesn’t, would you want to encourage him to do so? The New York Times recently announced its Fifth Annual New York Times Summer Reading Contest. Every Friday from June 13 through Aug. 15 they will ask teenagers ages 13-19 the same question: What interested you most in The Times this week? Young readers are encouraged to pick any NYT article, essay, video, photograph published in 2014 and post their answer. Winning posts will be featured online the following Tuesdays. Check out the details of this contest here.

There is all sorts of good summer reading info on the 2014 Summer Reading at New York Libraries website, found here. Book lists, craft suggestions, and much more. Go to the Parent’s section here to find additional summer reading tips and materials.

Enjoy perusing all these great sites, and try to figure out how to incorporate some of their suggestions into your son’s summer!