Hold a Read-a-Thon in the school library media
center. Several students may volunteer or be selected to read short
stories in the library media center all day. Teachers may bring
their class to hear one or more stories at any time during the school
day. The school PTA may want to get involved by getting pledges
for each minute of reading. Proceeds could be used to buy new books
for the library media center.
June Sullivan, Highlands Elementary, Vero Beach, FL, Media Specialist
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Host a reading carnival to recognize
students' accomplishments. Each child could be given a set amount
of tickets to be used at the carnival, or the students could begin
earning tickets in October when the BOOK IT!® program begins.
The tickets could be earned by reading a set amount of minutes
or pages. The Carnival could be set up in the school gymnasium.
It could consist of booths set up by local clubs, high school
organizations, teachers, room mothers, etc. The prizes could be
anything from bubble gum or cookies to pencils, bookmarks, and
books.
Nancy Lewis, King City R-1 Elementary, King City, MO, Grade 7
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Create a reading community celebration.
There should be a festive atmosphere throughout the school, with
balloons and decorations everywhere. Everyone, including staff,
should come dressed like his or her favorite storybook character.
Posters with catchy slogans or book cover illustrations could
be carried as classes parade around the school at a scheduled
time. A play or puppet show could be included. Authors of well-known
stories could be invited. Lots of time should be allotted for
reading, and community leaders and the elderly could be invited
to read stories to small groups.
Ruth Delmonico, Pompositticut School, Stow, MA, Grade 1
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Divide your class into teams with four to five members
each. Make stacks of books from various kinds
of literature, i.e., poetry, historical, fiction, biography, reference,
mystery or book awards. Have the teams rotate through stations
and read from stacks approximately ten to fifteen minutes each.
At the end of the session, they should have been exposed to all
the available types of literature. Barbara Lyons, Mary Herbert
Elementary, Emporia, KS, Grade 4
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Have a reading scavenger hunt. First set up
reading stations. The reading activities at each of the stations
can be either independent or teacher-directed. Then divide the
class into teams and give each team an envelope containing directions
to one of the stations. After completing the activities in that
station, give each team of students directions to the next station.
In my classroom, there are seven stations involving teachers,
administrators, and supervisors. All the activities are related
to reading, such as reading a story independently, listening to
a story, reading and writing poetry, and reading directions.
Carol Samuelson, Glen Acres School, West Chester, PA, Grade 4
