25 Great Ways Schools Can Support Reading

Book Scroll

Mrs. Zander's grade 5/6 class used a book scroll to record each book they read throughout the school year. At the end of the year, they rolled out the scroll and marveled at how long it reached! They also enjoyed looking back and remembering the books they had read.

Get in the Spirit of Reading!

Get in the spirit of the season by creating a Christmas tree out of books. This one was constructed by Mrs. Zander's grade 5/6 class. Wonder was deliberately chosen to be the star on top of the tree!

Kid President's Pep Talk to Teachers and Students!

Learning Spaces Are.....

Comfy, cozy, inviting, organized.

Mrs. Emerson's reading corner invites kids to lose themselves in their book.

I Can't Keep My Own Secrets

Have you heard of this book? I saw it on Amazon and I had to order it (I know I'm not the only one who does that).

A Six-Word Memoir® is the story of your life—some part of it or all of it—told in exactly six words.

It's not new. The original Six-Word Memoir, Not Quite What I Was Planning, was published in 2008, and this version for teens was published in 2009. Since then, it has become a bit of a phenomenon and if you check out the website  you will see just how widespread the Six-Word memoir has become. The Teaching Guide  provides great discussion questions and ideas for how to use the book in your classroom.

While some of the memoirs are definitely intended for high school students, there are many that can be shared on a selective basis with middle years students. Explore this book with your students and watch it spark some great discussion and Six-Word Memoirs!

Abandoning a Book....


We've all done it....started a book with good intentions and anticipation and then realized this book is not for me. Not too long ago, I abandoned The Rosie Project.....Before that, it was Me Before You. Reading time is limited, and life is too short to waste it on books that are just not that enjoyable. We should all be talking to our kids and students about why and when they might choose to abandon a book, and why it's okay to do that once in a while! This infographic by goodreads is a fun way to talk to kids about abandoning a book.



Currently Reading - Before I Go to Sleep

Just as I am getting into this book (recommended by Mrs. Zander).............I find out it has been made into a movie, starring Nicole Kidman.  I had constructed a picture (and a voice) of the main character in my head, and it looked (and sounded) nothing like Nicole Kidman. I have found in the past that when Hollywood assigns an actor to a character, the act of reading the book becomes a bit more effortless, and sometimes even more enjoyable (case in point - Kit Harrington as Jon Snow in Game of Thrones!) I will keep reading, and see if my brain defaults to Nicole Kidman, or to my own creation of the character. And I will look forward to seeing it on the big screen!

Raising Readers

This is an excellent post by Nerdy Book Club about raising readers and the importance of talking to kids about books.

http://nerdybookclub.wordpress.com/2014/10/19/mouths-of-babes-by-donalyn-miller/

You Gotta Read This!

Mrs. Zander has not met a kid who didn't love this book....as a read aloud or a read to self. The theme of belonging is relevant to all kids. Recommended for grades 4 and up.


Read me!!

Introducing PCSD Reads!

We will be updating this blog with ideas about literacy from across our division. If you have any that you would like to submit, please email mmarriott@pinecreeksd.mb.ca

Recommendation Frames

If you're in the library make sure you check out the picture frames that are hanging on the wall. They are full of book recommendations from other students and staff in the school. There is also a picture of the book and the person who has recommended it. Great way to spark interest in books!

Cozy Up With A Good Book

Since it was such a cold winter we decided to try to enjoy it a little more by having a reading party. We chose to cozy up with a good book for a day and read. Everyone wore their pyjamas or comfy clothes and brought a special mug and blanket. We made hot chocolate, put the fire on (the smart board), and got comfy with our books. Everyone enjoyed some time with a nice warm drink and a great book!

Hostage

Hostage


Click on the above link to see Mason's book commercial for "Hostage" by Alex Kropp. Would you want to read it?

Book commercials

Here are some commercials students made in order to convince others to read them. 

This book is called the "Eye of Minds" by James Dashner and is a middle years book http://animoto.com/play/r36Cl70QXdKOvstk2SxXgQ