Annual Book BuffetPfc. William J. Grabiarz School of ExcellenceBuffalo, New York Hoping to encourage students to devour books long after their school days are over, the Pfc. William J. Grabiarz School of Excellence hosts a Book Buffet for its book club members and their guests at the end of each school year. Sixth graders invite their families, friends, and community members to a celebration of reading. More... Michelle Rivera, ATP Member 716-871-6000 MMRivera@buffalo.k12.ny.us Type 3 | Middle Grades| Reading |
Celebrity Literacy NightHighland Goffes Falls SchoolManchester, New Hampshire One of New Hampshire’s state standards is the enjoyment of reading. While students at Highland Goffes Falls School read daily as part of their homework, these assignments do not necessarily encourage reading for pleasure. A father on the Building Bridges Parent Involvement Committee suggested inviting local sports celebrities to read to the children to promote reading for fun. More... Deborah Idzelis, Teacher Co-Chair, Building Bridges Parent Involvement Committee 603-624-6324 didzelis@mansd.org Type 6 | Elementary Grades| Reading |
Community Mentoring ProgramWatkins Mill Elementary SchoolMontgomery Village, Maryland Watkins Mill Elementary School forged an alliance with Enterprise Rent-A-Car and the National Association of Security Dealers (NASD) to match mentors with teacher-identified students. Including community members, 13 adults worked with 35 students on reading-comprehension strategies and social skills. These partnerships strengthened the school’s bond with the community and gave the students involved valuable interactions with caring adults. More... Joyce Budman, ATP Chair 301-840-7181 Joyce_Budman@fc.mcps.k12.md.us Type 6 | Elementary Grades| Reading |
Family Literacy Nights: Creating Lifelong ReadersLeaphart Elementary SchoolColumbia, South Carolina It might have been a weeknight, but with the students sitting around in their pajamas, books open for reading, and the smell of freshly cooked bacon and eggs in the air, it looked just like a Sunday morning. At least it looked like the Sunday morning Leaphart Elementary School envisioned when it created Family Literacy Nights. Parents, teachers, and students gathered in the school for a night of reading aloud, parent workshops, and breakfast for dinner in order to instill a love of reading in the children. More... Don D. Doggett, Assistant Principal for Instruction 803-798-0030 ddoggett@lex5.k12.sc.us Type 4 | Elementary Grades| Reading |
Literacy Sight Word CompetitionHarvey Rice Elementary SchoolCleveland, Ohio In an effort to improve reading achievement, Harvey Rice Elementary School developed a literacy contest that recognized the accomplishments of students along with the support of their families. More... Ruth Wetzel, Community Liaison 216-231-2411 Ruth.Wetzel@cmsdnet.net Type 3 | Elementary Grades| Reading |
Pajama Read TimeEast Franklin Elementary SchoolColumbus, Ohio To encourage parents and their children to read more at home, teachers at East Franklin Elementary School put on their nighttime finest for an evening of books at the school. Wearing pajamas, teachers read aloud to similarly dressed students in the gym while their parents attended workshops designed to help them work on reading comprehension with their primary- or intermediategrade children. More... Jeri Kerns, Principal 614-801-8100 Jeri_Kerns@swcs.k12.oh.us Type 4 | Elementary Grades| Reading |
Partners in Reading Success Video/CDHawthorn Hills Elementary SchoolWausau, Wisconsin Lights! Camera! Action! The Hawthorn Hills Site Council took creative action to help inform parents about the importance of reading and the best ways to encourage their children to pick up a book at home. More... Helga Graf, Parent Partnership Coordinator 715-261-2250 hgraf@wausau.k12.wi.us Type 4 | Elementary Grades| Reading |
Reading BuddiesMill Street Elementary SchoolNaperville, Illinois It’s difficult to say which group of Reading Buddies benefits more—the fourth and fifth graders at Mill Street Elementary School or the students they work with from nearby North Central College (NCC). The students enjoy reading the same books as their college buddies, have a reason to write about books, and learn that there are many ways to think about a story. Education students at the Naperville college get to try out classroom strategies in a real-life situation, incorporate best practices into the curriculum, and participate in a research project. More... Jane Boor, SFCP Team Member 630-420-6353 jboor@ncusd203.org Type 6 | Elementary Grades| Reading |