LM_NET: Library Media Networking
Here are the responses I received about promoting state book awards: Thank
you to all who responded.
***********
I offer an all-you-can-eat pizza/ice cream party to those who read all the
chapter books at at least one level.
**********
We try to do book talks, bulletin boards, and some teachers of gifted
classes actually require the students to read at least 3 of the books so
they
can vote.
**********
I read the 20 nominees during the summer and look for unique artifacts in
each book. I make a master list of artifacts and their matching titles.
Then, I make a display of the 20 artifacts (example: marshmallows from
Small steps: the year I got polio by Peg Kehret). The first student who
reads all twenty books and correctly matches the artifacts and titles wins
$25.00, which I provide from library fine money.
**********
This year I am trying something new--a bi-weekly newsletter in which I
publish student reviews of the books they have read. I have a form they can
use, and I ask questions like "Would you recommend this book to a friend?
Why or why not. There's also a place to rate the book--A high five (for one
they loved), for a rainy day only (O.K. but not great), or a yawn (they
hated it). There are other questions too. I've just presented the
idea--we'll see if it takes off or not. I also used Puzzlemaker to make word
puzzles for all the books(time-consuming!), and we have a drawing for a gift
certificate to Borders at the end (one person in each class).
**********
I do the Mass. children's book award program. I have a special
reserved shelf decorated with party favor medals. I booktalk like crazy
and ask for proof of the 5 minimum reads by having those kids fill out a
form with their favorite part of the story. Anyway, MY incentive is
that the kids who reached the voting stage get to come to a lunchtime
party in the library where I unveil an enormous double sheetcake that I
make - as chocolaty as I can - and decorated the top with the winning
title and some illustration. My principal digs up the pizza and soda
and I bring in CD's too. We reveal who we each voted for before the
unveiling and are always astonished at the breadth of our choices!
**********
In my elementary school, it was put into the School Improvement Plan to
participate in our Children's Choice Award. As librarian, I take one class
period for 3rd-5th and 'book-talk' the 5 candidates. The children then vote
for their favorites--i.e. the ones that sound the best to them. Then
teachers are required to read aloud at least of three of them and the
students vote (our voting is in February). Our prek-2nd graders also hear
book talks and select the ones they want to listen to--but these are picture
books. I then read their top 5 (in five different class periods) and they
select their favorites.
I am not thrilled with this mostly because the intermediate teachers are
already too overworked and keep having new things piled up on them, and
reading these books is one more thing that is out of their control.
I'd like to hear what you find out. However, one think I have discovered is
that when I book talk these the students really want to check them out. I
may suggest dropping the mandatory reading by teachers and have it be a
volunteer program for those students interested in participating and they
can read them independently.
**********
Meg Schimmels
Campus Support, Library Media Specialist
Wichita (KS) Public Schools
973-2073
mschimmels@usd259.net
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