Read your way to the ballpark

Read around the bases

Stop the presses! Summer vacation has arrived, Playing games and sports is a great way to exercise your body during the summer, so you can be strong and healthy for the next school year. Keeping your mind strong and healthy is important, too. The best way to exercise your brain is by reading.

The Tampa Bay Rays baseball players know the importance of staying healthy and strong and keeping your mind active. That is why the Rays have partnered with the St. Petersburg Times Newspaper in Education program, the Hillsborough Public Library Cooperative, the Manatee County Library System, the Pasco County Library Cooperative and the Pinellas Public Library Cooperative to encourage and reward students for reading.

If you do not already have your "Reading with the Rays" NIE publication, you can pick one up at one of your libraries. In order to participate in this great reading program, you will need to get your game card at your library.

The rules of the Read Your Way to the Ballpark game are simple. Choose your favorite books from your local library or select your favorite section of the St. Petersburg Times to read over the summer. As you read, track your hours by rounding the bases and collect Rays rewards along the way.

We want to know what you are reading, so be sure to come back to the NIE Blogging Zone often to share your thoughts about the books you are reading your way to the ballpark with. Just click on the comment button below to get started.

Stranger than fiction

Finding inspiration in the Times

Every day there are fascinating and often bizarre stories in the pages of the St. Petersburg Times. Many authors get their book ideas from true stories in the newspaper. Look in the e-Edition of the Times for an interesting article that would make a cool book of fiction. Share the main idea of the article along with your book idea here at the NIE Blogging Zone.

Raymond loves reading

America's favorite pastime … reading

In addition to reading the St. Petersburg Times, Raymond loves to read books. His favorite books are "Monsters under My Bed" and Wuthering Heights. He has read all of the “Hairy” Potter books. Raymond says, “Reading is fun! Especially when you read a book about something you like – such as hotdogs.” This summer you can check out some fun reading books @your library. Tell Raymond and your fellow summer bloggers about your favorite books here at the NIE Blogging Zone.

Ask an expert

Behind the scenes

You can read about the Rays daily in the St. Petersburg Times in print, in the e-Edition or on the Rays page on tampabay.com.Marc Topkin writes all about the Rays, so Times readers can be in the know. Have you ever wondered what it is like to be a sports reporter? What qualifications would you need? What happens behind the scenes in the dugout or the locker room? What do you want to know? Here is your chance to ask an expert. Ask Marc your questions here at the NIE Blogging Zone.

Reading and writing

Ripped from the headlines

As a journalist for your school newspaper, you are assigned the job of writing a newspaper article about one of the characters in a summer reading book. A good journalist must begin with six key questions: who, what, where, when, why and how. Before you plan your character interview, find an article in the e-Edition of the St. Petersburg Times and answer each of those six questions. Also, check out the Q & A with Dan Wheeler on page 9 of the "Reading with the Rays" Newspaper in Education publication. Now that you see the pattern for a newspaper article, write a newspaper article about your favorite book. Share your thoughts about your favorite book here at the NIE Blogging Zone.

Traveling Rays

Catching Rays

Keep track of the Rays’ travels by reading the Sports section of the St. Petersburg Times every day during the summer. You can read about the Rays games in the e-Edition of the Times. Keep a log of all of the Rays games and great plays. Share your thoughts about the games and the cities in which the Rays play. Did you watch the game on television? What did you notice about the host city? Are the people in the host cities friendly? How about the opposing team members' behavior? What did the reporters and announcers tell you about the host team and/or city? Share your thoughts here on the NIE Blogging Zone.

Teamwork

Working together

As a relief pitcher, Grant Balfour knows the meaning of determination and teamwork. Look in the e-Edition of the St. Petersburg Times for photos, illustrations, comics and headlines that represent teamwork and determination. Based on the items you find, write down how these items represent teamwork and determination. Next, write a fully developed paragraph discussing the importance of teamwork at home, at school and in your community. Share your thoughts with others here on the NIE Blogging Zone.

Leadership

Follow the leader

Jackie Robinson was a leader, not just in the context of baseball, but in life. Leadership requires commitment, responsibility and hard work. What does being a leader mean to you? Read through the e-Edition of the St. Petersburg Times to find three examples of people who you think are leaders. Write a few sentences explaining why you have chosen these people. Share your ideas with others here at the NIE Blogging Zone.

History

Learning of the Times

The history of the Negro Leagues of baseball is important and extensive. Pictured is the 1946 Newark Eagles. From the late 1800s through the end of the official Negro League in 1960, more than 2,500 men and women participated as players, coaches, managers and officials. Research the players and teams at the Negro League Baseball Museum’s Web site,  nlbm.com/s/player.htm. Choose one of the many players and research his or her story. Share the information you learn with others here at the NIE Blogging Zone.

History lessons

Connecting the past and the present

Author George Santayana said, “Those who cannot remember the past are condemned to repeat it.” What does this phrase mean? Discuss this idea with your friends and family. Using words and pictures from the St. Petersburg Times, create a collage to make a connection between “then” and “now.” Images and metaphors should express feelings and attitudes as well as behaviors and events. The overall effect should reflect your viewpoint on whether the present world has learned the lessons of history. You may focus on only one theme or on several issues that you find particularly relevant to your own life. Share your thoughts about what you have learned here at the NIE Blogging Zone.