[LM_NET] ...Scholastic bookfairs- LONG (sorry!)...

["Earl J. Moniz" <earlj@MONIZ.ORG>]

Hello Michele, and our favorite Latin lurker, et al.,
no need to apologize for such an encouraging testimonial about Scholastic...

I agree wholeheartedly. . . and will add:
1 - Scholastic publishes their own items from time to time - they make a wonderful
elementary dictionary that I make sure to get multiple copies of for many 
classrooms.
2 - Reading Counts! is a much more flexible, user friendly, and easy to administer
reading assessment program than Accelerated Reader ever was. . .

You have covered a wide array of purposes for creating and maintaining a full
bookfair agenda throughout the year. . . most of which any school librarian
should pursue for their own library, students, and parents... most excellent.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts and encouraging others . . .
thanks for doing what you're doing on a daily basis for everyone associated with
your library. . . you're a good model and faithful to the librarianship goals and
objectives as I know them. . . keep on keepin' on  . . .

I fully understand that you don't need my appreciation, approval, or permission
to do what you do ... I just thought I would share my thoughts anyway.
Your brief summary of bookfairs is most excellent. . . and your
scheduling certainly does set a high standard for those equally interested in
providing opportunities for improved reading skills, a sense of ownership,
and personal library building. . . <whew - you cover a lot of ground each year>.

Until that time. . .  Earl J.



At 03:00 AM 8/12/2008, LM_NET automatic digest system wrote:
>Date:    Mon, 11 Aug 2008 16:20:32 -0600
>From:    Michele Nokleby <mnokleby@GMAIL.COM>
>Subject: Scholastic bookfairs- LONG (sorry!)
>MIME-Version: 1.0
>Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1
>Content-Transfer-Encoding: 7bit
>
>I had to speak out on this topic, since most of the posts have been quite
>negative.  I would hate for any new librarians to get the idea that a
>bookfair isn't worth the trouble.  In the 15 years I've been doing them, I
>have yet to find any reason for complaint. On the contrary, I find I have
>nothing but praise for Scholastic in particular as well as the bookfair
>concept in general.
>
>I teach in a K-5 school of 370-400 students, over half who qualify for free
>or reduced lunch.  Most of my students *have never been to a bookstore*. The
>notion that a book is a valued gift and a highly prized possession for their
>child is a concept which is new and surprising to many of the parents.
>
>Research has unequivocally shown that book ownership is imperative for
>students' development as readers.  To this end I sponsor almost constant
>opportunities for students to develop their home libraries.  Three times a
>year, we have RIF books, in the spring I have the used books exchange (every
>child gets one book, even if they don't have one to trade) Throughout the
>year I give books as prizes, and our local used bookstore has been terrific
>about extending gift certificates to our spelling bee contestants. AND I
>have two Scholastic bookfairs per year (one for profit, one half-price sale)
>All of these opportunities for book ownership are anticipated with
>eagerness.  All of them are very different experiences.
>
>Students, teachers, and parents love the bookfair.  Yes, they can order
>books, but the pleasures of browsing shiny new volumes, agonizing over which
>purchase to make, and the satisfaction of having the book in hand available
>for instant savoring is a different experience altogether.
>
>The bookfair allows for parents to linger in the library, thereby building a
>sense of school community. They have the opportunity to chat with other
>parents, as well as their children and myself about books.  These wonderful
>conversations wouldn't happen otherwise. The students also have the chance
>to share the excitement with one another.  I pair older students with the
>little ones to "window shop".  The little ones then choose a book or two and
>find a corner to read with their "book buddy".  Teaching older students how
>to share satisfying reading experiences with little ones is an incredibly
>important life skill that I teach explicitly.
>
>Students also develop a sense of ownership over the library collection.  I
>tell them to select what books should be added to the collection, and start
>a shelf of those future library books.  If they can't wait, I often catalog
>the coveted item with a temporary record, so I can get the book into the
>child's hands without delay.
>
>I love the DVD Scholastic produces each year featuring delightful author and
>illustrator interviews, and engaging booktalks. Scholastic offers an
>excellent selection of high-quality books, and they are wonderful about
>sending large quantites of any title that the kids are really enthused
>about.  When I call for more, the books usually arrive by Federal Express
>the very next day.  They also send some things that I don't put out- either
>because I have a personal bias (I really hate advertising for TV shows or
>products that are masquerading as books!) Or, in the case of some toys and
>trinkets, I think that they will break too easily.
>
>It's worth noting that all of the toys and trinkets are at least loosely
>based on the idea of encouraging literary pursuits.  There are instructions
>to be read, Journals to be written in, field guides to accompany toy
>animals, and so forth.  With reluctant readers especially, these products
>are very appealing, and serve as stepping stones to further reading and
>inquiry.
>
>Scholastic also puts together generous and flexible school profit options.
>The credit I receive is a substantial.  I am fortunate to have a healthy
>book budget, so I don't need to run a bookfair to stock my shelves.  This
>allows me to provide bookfair "gift certificates" to students whose parents
>can't or won't purchase them a book.   Scholastic is also very accommodating
>financially.  I have never had to inventory the selection, and have never
>been questioned about the inevitable "shrinkage" that occurs whenever you
>mix highly appealing items with large numbers of children.  I think they
>have earned applause rather than scorn for levying a 30 dollar fuel fee this
>year.  They could have easily just reworked the profit share or raised
>prices instead.  I find the honesty refreshing, and frankly, we ALL need to
>become a little more aware of how our dependence on petroleum is impacting
>every aspect of our culture.
>
>-- 
>Michele Nokleby
>Hawthorne Elementary School Librarian
>Missoula, MT
>mnokleby@gmail.com

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