I got a few more responses to my request for info on a Family Reading
Night so decided I should post a 2nd HIT. Thanks so much to all who have
offered help and suggestions:
When we did our family reading meetings at the beginning of the school
year, we separated the parents from the kids. We had the kids in the
gymnasium where we had people set up with books to read, so the kids
went from group to group to be read to. They totally loved it! And the
parents were in the library learning the importance of reading, getting
the handouts, all that stuff. It worked out very well! Good Luck with
whatever you decide!
***********************************
We just had our first one in our new school. We offered it from
5:30-7:00 and promoted it as a fun night where students could read to
their parents then take AR tests. Our PTA, which sponsored the event,
wanted to promote AR as a reading tool. We had about 35 kids with
parents and as they came in, we told them to find some books, grab a
spot and read with their parents, then they could take an AR test on the
book. Every 15 minutes or so I called the kids over, for those who
wanted to listen, and read a story to them. We really had a great time.
I've attached some shots for you to see. I think your reading bag idea
is great!!! We had punch and cookies outside the library for a snack.
We had favorable comments so I know we'll do it again. I would love if
you posted a HIT because I would definitely like some other ideas since
our first one was so plain and simple.
*************************************
I noticed your HIT on LM_Net regarding Family Literacy Night. I just wanted
to let you know that we have a great online lesson on Family Literacy Night
on our website at www.librarysparks.com. You can find it by clicking on Web
Resources, then New! Keep 'em Reading: Family Literacy Night.
************************
We have had a "family reading night" for over 8 years now. At our school,
it happens once a month. From 6:30-7:00, students read a book and take an
AR test with a parent.(We are an Accelerated Reader school). From
7:00-8:00, staff read to the kids from books based on a theme that is
preseclected by me. This takes place in our library. Each student receives
a ticket and a duplicate to place in a jar for attending. We raffle 7-8
prizes at 8 pm. At 7:30, we break for cookies and milk, sponsored by our
PTA. Kids wear their pajamas and bring a stuffed animal and a blanket if
they wish. We have around 40-80 kids in attendance each month. Kids must
arrive with an adult and they all enjoy listening to stories.
*****************************
We did a similar program like this when I was in elementary school. I
think we did talk to parents at the first one. Then typically we would
divide the hour into 3-4 sessions. One would involve a book reading, an
art activity, choose a free book/treats. Usually each night was
thematic. We brought in people from the public library, had
storytellers, kite makers or someone with expertise in the thematic
area.
Good luck! Ours were a huge success!
************************
Is this going to be a regular on-going thing or just a once a year?
In my former school I did it once a month for about an hour and a half.
I would plan it so that the kids would come and I would do some kind of
story and a craft with them while the parents had a chance to browze
the shelves for themselves. Then for the last half hour I would have
the kids and parents work together on finding books to read. The kids
loved it because they had something to take home at the end of the
night and the parents who couldn't get to the library during the
regular school hours due to work could get in and make use of the
facilities.
Some of the ideas that we had were a "Circus night" when we had a
lady come in with her dog who did tricks and he performed while we
read some circus stories. We also had a "Pet show" night where the
kids brought in pictures of their pets (too chaotic otherwise) and we
had a contest where each child received an award for some special
quality of their pet (Think Ezra Jack Keats book here). We also had
costume nights where we read books from various places or time
periods and had the kids dress up if they liked and one of the more
popular ones was the "When I grow up" night where the children came
as adult "professionals" and I had parents come in as guest readers
to read books that they had loved as children.
Good luck! It is great PR for your library and the community will
probably appreciate your hard work.
*****************************
When our school had a Family Reading night, we divided everyone into
groups and they rotated between reading time with their children and
book fair. Then at the end everyone was in the gym for relay races that
included everything from dribbling a basketball to balancing a book on
their heads. We had a great turnout by the families.
/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\/\
Brenda Young, Library Media Specialist
Rose Hill Elementary
Omaha, NE
brenda.young@ops.org
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