Here is Part II:
First - each fall I started with a "we are all readers" theme. I told
the kids that even if they can read their names or are beginning to use
picture cues as they "read" a book that they are gaining skills as
readers. I had volunteers cut out something and we had the kids sign it
and we hung it. One year we cut out apples and had a great big apple
tree with all of their apples on it. Another year, we all made flags
(out of paper) that we decorated to represent ourselves. We also had
stars one year - they looked really cool hanging from the ceiling. I
laminated them so that they shined and the ventilation system made them
blow in the breeze. Another thing that I did was have the third grade
students make shelf markers each year. They could put appropriate
messages on them. I chose third graders because they were old enough to
do this and old enough for some of the younger kids to really look up to
them. After a year, this was something that they really looked forward
to. Once again, I laminated them so that they looked good throughout the
year. I know that there are some really good ideas about creating shelf
markers in the archive.
I also ran a lunchtime historical fiction club. When I started at the
school, they had been running an American Girls club, but I thought that
was too narrow. There are some good support activities and information
through the Pleasant company to start something like this, but we had
more fun when I broadened it out a bit. At various times I ran games
clubs - where we created a board game book using traditional games such
as mancala, checkers, and nine man morris. Once we had a medieval club
and their favorite activities were creating armour out of throw away
junk and tin foil, and creating catapults using more junk.
The last thing that I am going to share that the kids really loved was
creating books. At least once a year, each grade level created some sort
of book. For example, in third grade we had a pretty big unit on
Caldecott books. One year I read *Tuesday* by Weisner and then the
classes voted on what kind of book they would create that would be
similar. I had volunteers cut out a ton of frogs. One class chose to
have the frogs invade the school. They really got the idea of telling
the story through the use of illustrations. Additionally each year I had
the fifth grade students make advertisements for the magazines that our
library subscribed to. They shared their ads with the other students,
and then we bound them and I shared them with younger students
throughout the year to introduce them to periodicals. Each time we
created a book, we put the name of the teacher and the date on the
outside, then the kids signed the inside. The students loved to go back
on look at those books year after year. It was kind of a measure of
their learning.
began 2 things this year: 1) Keeping a binder with students' book
reviews for peer perusal 2) Letting students name and nominate books
for their own award (they also design the "medal").
They always seem to want what the other has, so they have done a pretty
good job of inspiring each other. We've also considered a "wall of
fame" to put the names of students who have read x number of books. (I
have no wall space at this time, so it is on hold till the new library
is in place)
SJRLC has a children's youth services which has a reading incentive
program for public libraries for summer programming. I adapted this
program for the school library several years back the theme changes each
year and the kids love it...K -5 but my 1 and 2 graders are the most
inspired read, read, read...I'll send you the website in another email.
www.sjrlc.org sponsors the reading program but the program from last
year isn't up on the site anymore....gearing up for the new 2002 summer
program...if you're interested after you get this email. I can forward
word documents that I used for this spring's reading programs...the way
it works...the children read to their parents, grandparents, teacher,
etc...then fill out an entry form with the info about the book from the
title page, an adult must sign the entry slip; each student has an tally
form in the library's file box, when they have a filled out entry form
the title goes on the tally sheet and the entry form into a grade level
ballot box. I start the program right after winter/Christmas break and
it runs until our spring book fair the end of April...the Home and
School supplies most of the prizes (Book fair $$ certificates $5.00 for
randomly chosen names from grade level boxes and $10 for the top readers
in each grade level...I buy same $1.00 gifts for the random drawing so
more kids get a prize...this is mildly competitive but the kids read,
read, read...the Kind. is structured the same way but parents must
assist them in reading and help fill out the entry form...there is no
tally sheet for kinder...they all get a dessert treat from the
cafeteria.. ice cream bars/cones as a class.. I also buy pencils with
the theme's name and every student whether they participated or not gets
as pencil...this is the fifth year I have done this reading incentive
program with good results. Also the class that has the highest total of
books read gets a pizza or dessert party (their choice...paid by H&S) in
the library (yes we actually eat in the library)!!
To encourage reading especially for those who read fluently, I have
a LIBRARY BUSINESS period at the beginning of my day (No classes) when
the classes for the day return their books and my rapid readers can come
down individually and get new loans because they've read the ones from
library period or the previous day's...this is lots of extra work for me
but it's worth it when the kids are excited about reading and sharing
stories and books with their classmates. I also have author/illustrator
Spotlights throughout the year and we see an author video and
read/discuss his books and of course get loan books.
I have some reading programmes you might get some ideas from. Check the
clubs out at http://www.geebungss.qld.edu.au/glib.htm
I was going to show the matrix that I developed to teach library skills
that targeted specific Oregon Benchmark test subjects/skills. Then I am
also soliciting parents who were happy with how I run Battle of the
Books for the 4/5 graders. I also was going to show how the recent
ordering I have done was in concordance with the Oregon benchmarks and
would support teacher curriculum.
Some incentive programs I have done: have staff (administrators, office
staff, janitors, kitchen staff) read to the kids for National Children's
Book Week. Poetry Break (easy) Have students (the trusted ones) in the
upper grades choose poems to read in the classrooms. They carry a
colorful sign that says: POETRY BREAK and walk right in to a classroom
announcing Poetry Break and proceed to read a short poem. Be sure that
all teachers agree, if any do not, tell students not to go there.
Newspaper scavenger hunt is a lot of fun. I can FAX you a list of items
that I have used in the past. Storytelling or poetry reading is always
a welcomed and short activity even if a class is coming in only to check
books out.
Reading month -- Have a competition between classes. The winners receive
pizza parties and other prizes. And you and the staff, including the
principal, spend the day on the roof. To celebrate the end or start of
the Reading Month, make bookmarks! Teach something on fairytales,
folktales, etc. I play telephone with my kids. They love it! Teach kids
how to behave in the library. Go over procedures a lot. Take the kids on
a tour of the school -- too. Then, do a map with them. I do a lot of
estimating contests. The kids love the candy for classes. I give away
lots of bookmarks for behavior, etc.
they hire a consultant from Broadart that sets up the library. They map
out where everything goes, what furniture, ect. I don't think that the
librarian has had much say in that part of the process. The main thing
that you will need to do is order materials. Unless that has already
been done. If the school is opening in the fall, hopefully someone has
already ordered your core collection - this is a bit late in the year to
be placing that large of an order. You need to know your student
population - K-2, but are there special needs such as a large ESL
program, etc. I'm assuming this is a school in the same county so you
should have a good handle on the curriculum. This will drive your
collection development, especially in the area of nonfiction materials.
and that will be a challenge to find good nonfiction books for your age
level. The books are out there, you just have to look. and then I"m
picky about what venders I use. Books have to be processed & on the
shelves as soon as possible so that the materials can be used as soon as
possible. You might not have everything ready for student use at the
beginning, but you want to have materials for the teachers to use.
Programs for the upcoming year. This is a tough one until you are in the
school and working with the teachers. Again, with your knowledge of the
curriculum, it shouldn't be too bad. GA is on flex scheduling, so you
can stress your learning in working cooperatively with the teachers. I'd
discuss the importance of "story time" with the little ones. This is a
wonderful opportunity to lay the foundation of library skills as you
read stories. We always discuss parts of the books, the parts of the
story, etc. It really is more of a reading lesson, they just don't
realize it. Special programs you might want to use: Children's Book Week
and of course Read across America. These are two easy school wide
programs that have lots of materials available to utilize.
Once again, thanks to all who responded.
Sandy Beck
Media Specialist
Battlefield Primary School
Ft. Oglethorpe, GA
skbeck@att.net
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