[LM_NET] HIT: Reading Rodeo

[Belinda Holbrook <bholbrook@MCHSI.COM>]

I had asked for ideas for a Reading Rodeo to go along with my "Saddle  
Up and Read, Bookaroos" them in my elementary library. Here are the  
responses I received:

The reading lab at our school is the Reading Rodeo. Our reading  
specialist uses the saddle for the Author's Chair when students are  
sharing a story they wrote with their classmates.

Here is a piece I did on a "Reading Roundup":
http://www.bellaonline.com/articles/art10052.asp

When I did a Rodeo Theme, I had an evening culminating event for  
families.  We had chili dogs.  I "deputized" my little students as  
"Reading Deputies".  They got a badge, raised their right hands, and  
repeated a solemn oath to defend and promote literacy wherever the  
dusty trail would lead.  It was so fun.  We also set up "Barrel  
Racing".  It was really a cake walk.  The PE teacher had a ton of  
these numbered rubber mats that we threw around on the floor.  I had  
the 5th grades make a ton of hobby horses out of yardsticks earlier,  
so the kids each took a yardstick, "rode" around the circle and when  
the music stopped, we drew a number.  Whoever had the number won a  
plate of 6 (donated) cupcakes.  We threw around some hay bales to  
gallop around (couldn't find barrels)

Thanks to those who responded.

In the meantime I found that the Upstart catalog had added new items  
for a Wanted: Readers theme so I'm going to go with that instead. You  
can see the items at http://www.highsmith.com and go to Upstart. They  
also have wonderful new activity guides that you can download with  
lots of great ideas and book suggestions. There's one for Wanted:  
Readers, Book to the Future, Driven to Read, Master the Art of  
Reading and Read in the Wildest Places.

This week I am taking pictures of each staff member to put on Wanted  
posters. They're wearing cowboy hats and reading a book. They hold  
the book up so we can just see their eyes. The book is also one that  
tells about an interest that person has. The kids will have a contest  
to see who can identify the most people. I think it's going to be a  
lot of fun.

Belinda Holbrook
Teacher Librarian
Harrison School
Davenport, IA
bholbrook@mchsi.com

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