Get Caught Reading This Summer!
"If we want our students to read and enjoy it for the rest of their lives, then we must show them what a reading life looks like." Donalyn Miller, The Book Whisperer
We would love to have ALL staff members spend some time reading this summer and send us photos of either a spot where you love to read OR of you reading with the cover of the book showing. We are going to collect all of the photos we receive and create a "Got Caught Reading" bulletin board in the front lobby to welcome everyone back in September. We invite every person in our school community to participate!
Easy Steps:
1. Click photos of you reading in your favorite reading spots this summer.
2. Submit your photo to Robin O'Connor or Susan Dee
-email them or print them and put in one of our mailboxes
It's that easy! We think students will really enjoy visiting this bulletin board in the first weeks of school! We hope you'll join us!
Why You Should Read Children's Books as an Adult by Jen Robinson
2. It keeps your imagination active.
3. It strenghtens your relationship with the children in your life who read.
4. It sets an example for the children in your life, making them more likely to become readers.
5. It clues you in on cultural references that you may have missed (both current and classical)
6. It's fast. Children's books are usually shorter than adult books, so if you don't think you have time to read, you DO have time to read children's books.
7. It allows you to read across genres. Children's books aren't limited to mystery OR science fiction OR fantasy OR literary fiction. They can have it all.
8. It's like time travel -- it's an easy way to remember the child that you once were, when you first read a book.
9. It's often inspirational -- reading about heroes and bravery and loyalty make you want to be a better person. And couldn't we all do with some of that?
10. Did I mention that it's FUN?
Reprinted with permission from: Jen Robinson's Book Page, 2005
Other Ideas for Buzzing Books in September
Create a "Reading Life" Door Display
Your door display can be as simple as a collection of book covers spread across your classroom door or bulletin board. Another idea is to organize your display by genre (realistic fiction, fantasy, informational, ect) or by format (picture books, graphic novels, chapter books, magazines, etc). Really, the possibilities are endless!
"My Reading Life" Door Display Examples
Donalyn Miller
The Book Whisperer
Scholastic
Catherine Flynn
K-8 Literacy Specialist
Susan Dee
From my 4th/5th Grade Classroom
Currently Reading Signage
Need some title suggestions?
Bank Street College: The Best Children's Books of the Year, 2016
Nerdy Book Club: 2016 Middle Grade Nerdie Award Winners
Nerdy Book Club: 2016 Fiction Picture Book Nerdie Award Winners
Nerdy Book Club: 2016 Nonfiction Picture Book Nerdie Award Winners
ALSC 2017 Notable Children's Books
Maine Student Book Award Nominees 2017-2018 Grade 4-6 List
#BOOKADAY Challenge
The Ninth Annual #BookaDay Challenge