Hello O. C. Taylor families!

This year our Tigers have the opportunity to use an app that was designed specifically for them to record their GCISD READS progress! This web-based app (available at Tookadoo.com) will automatically enter the number of pages in their book and then calculate the total pages and number of books your child has read. Students will be able to design an avatar and earn items as they achieve their reading goals.

The app is still in the beta stage, so it is highly recommended that students keep a list of the books they read throughout the year. I have added a form to the library homepage if you prefer an “official” paper document.

The GCISD Reads Challenge deadline is May 1st

Happy Reading!

Every year students in GCISD participate is a reading challenge. Last year our students took the challenge and they showed it who's the boss! Now it's time to level up!

Get ready for the 2017 GCISD READS Book Challenge!

We are all about giving students a choice in what they read, and now they can also choose the challenge (or challenges) that are right for them too!

• Read 1,500 pages if you are in Kindergarten-2nd grade.
  
• Read 2,500 pages if you are in 3rd-5th Grade.
  

• 3 Biographies/autobiographies
• 3 Nonfiction (any topic/any form)
• 3 Fantasy Fiction
• 3 Mystery Fiction
• 3 Historical Fiction
• 3 Realistic Fiction
• 3 Science Fiction
• 4 Free Choice- don't forget poetry!

Some students enjoy reading all of the previous winners. Click here for a list.

• Read 1 nonfiction book about each of the 7 continents (7 books total)
  

:::Australia, Africa, Asia, North America, South America, Europe, Antarctica:::

1. Scholastic has a tool to help you help your child find great books! Check it out here: http://www.scholastic.com/bookwizard/

2. Award winners-

• Caldecott (for picture books) http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/caldecottmedal/caldecottmedal ,
  
• Newbery (primarily-but not always chapter books) http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/newberymedal/newberyhonors/newberymedal
  
• Texas Bluebonnet Award http://www.txla.org/TBA-nominees are great places to start.
  
• The Association of Library Service to Children (American Library Association) provides lists of notable children's books here: http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/notalists

3. Reading Rocket has amazing theme-based book lists here: http://www.readingrockets.org/books/booksbytheme

Our library catalog can be accessed here: http://destiny.gcisd.net or use the Follett Destiny Discover app. If you would like to suggest a book, stop by the learning commons/library, and add it to our Wish List.

Colleyville http://www.colleyvillelibrary.com/ and Grapevine http://www.grapevinetexas.gov/ public libraries both have a great line up of summer activities and excellent collections of books for the whole family in all formats (print, audiobooks, e-books, etc.).

The North Richland Hills Public Library http://www.library.nrhtx.com/ offers FREE library cards to non-residents, and even has 3D printers available in their Maker Spot http://www.themakerspot.org/ .

EPIC for Kids https://www.getepic.com/ is an e-book collection that is free to all O. C. Taylor students during the school day. I mention it here because it is so popular among our students that you might want to consider purchasing a subscription for your child to use outside of school. It is a very affordable option for ebooks and includes features that students find very motivating!

For access to over 7,000 audiobooks try Tales2Go https://www.tales2go.com/ (firstname.lastname/listen)

Students also have 24/7 access to our MackinVia https://www.mackinvia.com/ (ebooks, Databases, and educational websites) year round.