B.E.A.R. Day (Be Excited About Reading)The Sunset Park School PS 169 Brooklyn, New York We established B.E.A.R. DAY to bring community members into the school to read with children, and to emphasize to the students that adults think it is important that they be able to read well. The event supports the school's goals by placing an emphasis on reading and by showing that everyone is a stakeholder in children's education. More... Marsha Weber, Assistant Principal (718) 330-9370 Type 3 | Elementary Grades | Reading |
Book SwapEli Whitney School Enfield, Connecticut Each November students and staff at Eli Whitney School, spend a week celebrating literature during National Children's Book Week. The faculty likes to culminate the week with a special Read-a-Thon that incorporates a literacy-building activity. This year we chose to sponsor a Book Swap because we felt it was a great way to involve both the adults in our school as well as all the children. More... Linda R. Cavanaugh, Principal (860) 763-7541 Type 4 | Elementary Grades | Reading |
Going Far with ARMoulton Branch Elementary School Valdosta, Georgia Throughout the year, we scheduled opportunities for our students to "show off their reading" by having parents, grandparents, and community readers participate in our Accelerated Reader (AR) program. Students took home fliers announcing the event. Parents used a tear-off section on the flyer to R.S.V.P. At the scheduled time, parents came to the Media Center with their student, listened to him/her read an AR book (or read to the student if needed), and observed as the student took an AR test on the book he/she read. After the test, everyone enjoyed refreshments, which were purchased by Title I and SIA parent involvement funds. More... Lavonne Powell, Facilitator (912) 245-2294 Type 4 | Elementary Grades | Reading |
Parents Actively Involved in Reading StrategiesMaplebrook Elementary School Naperville, Illinois Many studies show that parent involvement improves student achievement, attitudes, and aspirations. Surveys of parents indicate that most families want to be able to talk with, monitor, encourage, and guide their children as students. Out of a desire to support our students and families, the Maplebrook Literacy Expert Group, composed of nine teachers and a parent representative, sponsored and presented Parents Actively Involved in Reading Strategies (P.A.I.R.S). More... Terri Stevens, Action Team Chairperson (630) 416-6613 Type 4 | Elementary Grades | Reading |
Read Across America CelebrationBouquet Canyon Elementary School Saugus, California Even the Grinch was grinning during the Read Across America Celebration that was held last March as part of a nationwide literacy campaign to commemorate the birthday of the late Dr. Seuss and to inspire families to read together. Our school scheduled a variety of reading events over a week's time, both in the evening and during the day, which featured a Family Reading Night, a student writing contest, and "Cat in the Hat" Assemblies. Students had the opportunity to purchase Dr. Seuss t-shirts prior to the events; and newsletters, fliers, and rhyming announcements kept parents informed of details. One of our parents who is a set designer created a wonderful background and several props that helped to transform Bouquet Canyon School into our own Seussville, U.S.A. More... Jane Turner, Action Team Chairperson (661) 297-8865 Type 4 | Elementary Grades | Reading |
Salute to National Book WeekBroadway Village Elementary Community School Buffalo, New York With lots of imagination, a creative Partnership Team, and no budget, Broadway Village Elementary Community School (BVECS) held a successful salute to National Book Week in November 1999. Each day had a theme that encouraged children and staff to dress up and show their love of literature. More... Elizabeth Krehbiel, Action Team Member (716) 897-8031 Type 4 | Elementary Grades | Reading |
Storytelling TimeWoodridge Primary School Cuyahoga Falls, Ohio On January 19, 2000, Woodridge Primary School invited families to Storytelling Time. Through this activity we informed families about the importance of reading to school success, and provided a variety of techniques that would encourage readers. Children dressed in their PJ's, armed with blankets and teddy bears, enjoyed hot chocolate, cookies, and many stories with their families. More... Carol Stanley, Action Team Chairperson (330) 928-1223 Type 4 | Elementary Grades | Reading |