K-2 Special Reading Day

[ELFR@AOL.COM]

I am a Library Media Specialist in a K-4 school.  For the past two years
grades K-2 (approximately 275 students) have held a special "Reading Day" in
the spring.  All of the children are separated into 6 groups and travel
around to each of the 6 locations for special lessons or projects dealing
with the subject selected.  Two years ago the theme was taken from Barbara
Cooney's, Miss Rumphius  and how the children could help make the world a
more beautiful place.  Last year the topic was endangered animals and we used
Judy Allen (author) and Tudor Humphries (illus) books--Panda, Tiger, Whale,
Seal, Eagle, and Elephant.  This time each group concentrated on "their
animal" for the day.  As a culminating activity we turned the library media
center into an "Endangered Animal Museum."  This gave everyone the
opportunity to share all of the projects. On the morning following the
special day, parents were invited to visit the museum with their children and
we served coffee, juice and donuts to them.  The reaction of the children and
parents was enthusiastic!!
We are now working on a theme for this year's special day.  Has anyone done
something like this in their schools or do you have any suggestions for us.
 Thanks in advance!!
Betty Reilly
Hillside Elementary School
507 Howellville Road
Berwyn, PA 19312
(610)644-6904 -phone
(610)828-7899-fax