Reading Promotional Activities

Reading Promotional Activities Paul Henderson LIBR 130 March, 2016

Traditional Promotional Activities: These are the more common activities that are typically thought of and used in most libraries.Library Decorations/Themes/Displays- Holidays,Black History Month, Seasons, Dr. Seuss, Genres, NewBooks/Arrivals. Or possibly have book displays correspondingwith author birthdays or for less popular authors. Book Talks/Trailers: Sasquatch, Young Reader’s Choice, Genres Different types of Book Talks: Revitalize the bottom 10 books checked out, “Don’t judge a book by its cover”- Book in a bag- Cover an old book and then give a talk on it.

Screencastify Book TalksOr maybe ChromeBookTalks might be a good name.Have students create short book talks (90 seconds) based on a book theyrecently read. From several classes, select the book talks with the bestinformation and energy. (You could rotate the book talks each week to letstudents see many book talks)Place two to three chromebooks in the library with the student book talks onthem and a sign stating, “Looking for a good book? Here are some studentrecommendations.”. Allow students to watch these during library time.

Recommendation RackMake a rack or display with favorite booksselected by: Librarian Staff Member Principal Student- Student of the month, one per grade or one for intermediate and primary Community Member

TV vs Reading ChartCreate a chart for student’s to track their screen time vs. their reading time for aweek (or two).Those that turn in their parent signed chart that has more reading time than screentime earn a reward. (Hopkins)

Readers of the FutureStudents create picture books and have them laminated.Students, along with their teachers, write a letter about the importance of reading.Picture books and copies of the letter are delivered to the maternity ward of thelocal hospital.When a child is born, they receive a picture book with a copy of the letter. (Hopkins)

The Book BowlIt’s more powerful than the Dust Bowl and greater than the Super Bowl, it is TheBook Bowl!10 award nominated/winning books are selected.Students (grades 4-6) form teams of 3-5 teammates.Students have 4-6 months to read 2-10 of the books.On the day of The Book Bowl, teams answer three rounds of 20 questions tocrown a champion.The top 3 teams get a trophy to display in their classrooms the remainder of theyear. The winning team has their picture displayed and their names and teamname add to the Champions Plaque.

Book Request BoxA decorated box (with a slot in the top) for students, staff and community torecommend materials that are not in our collection.Of course you will need to introduce it and remind people of its existence.The brief ¼ sheet asks for: Name of book(material) requested, Who is requesting(in case we would like to ask you some more questions), and Why you wouldrecommend this book.

Books Open DoorsHave each class select a “class book”.The class decorates their door in the theme of the book.On a designated day, students in the class dress up as characters in the book.A school parade could take place or during an assemble each class could berecognized by their book.Or each class could create a book talk to be recorded and shared in classes or thelibrary. (Hopkins)

Read to the PrincipalCreate an “I Read to the Principal” banner and post it in a highly visible area.Reward student progress in reading by having students read to the principal.Students sign the banner or possibly color in part of it.After reading to the principal, students receive an “I Read to the Principal”bookmark. (Hopkins)

Reading OlympicsFor one month students track their minutes of reading at home.Weekly minutes are collected and a running total is tracked for individuals andclasses.A gold medal is earned by reading 1200 minutes, silver=900 minutes, bronze=600minutes. Those that read receive a participation award. The class with the mostminutes also receives a reward (ie ice cream party)This takes place in February and a Dr. Seuss assembly (March 2nd birthday-108years young) is wear the medals are awarded.

Drop Everything and Read (DEAR)This could accompany the Reading Olympics.On Wednesdays and Fridays (2-3 days a week) for a month at the end of the dayfor 15 minutes (or more), everyone in the school does nothing but read.Appropriate reading music is played over the intercom after an announcement ismade.Students, teachers, principal, office secretary...all staff READ.

Washington Children’s Choice Book Rotation20 great children’s books are nominated each year. That is 20 great opportunitiesto share great books.I pull 10 or so that I read throughout the year. I place the rest of the booksindividually in routing envelopes with all the K-3 teachers’ names on theenvelopes. One envelope is placed in each teacher’s box. Teachers are asked toread a book weekly then pass the book onto the next person’s name on the list.Students have the opportunity to hear all the books.We vote at the end of March for the best book.

Where in the WorldEach student has a map of the US or the world.When the student reads a book, they color in a state or country if:1. The author was born there2. The setting for the book is there3. The book tells about the location4. The book begins in the state or countryWhomever (possibly the top 3) colors in the most states or countries receives areward, ie an atlas or a “World Wide Reader” t-shirt. (Hopkins)

Celebration of Literature/Wax MuseumStudents read a book. Students choose a character from the book to portray.Students prepare a book talk in first person (as the character).Have an open house Wax Museum. Students are staged around the school with a“Push Me” button in front of them. Staff, students, teachers, community membersand guests walk around to the different characters.When the button is pushed the student gives their book talk presentation incharacter. After completion, the students resume their Wax (frozen) position untilthe next button push.

New Book Reader AnnouncementWhen new books enter the library (with select books, not likely all books), the bookis displayed in the library with a jar in front of it.Students interested in reading the book drop their name in the jar.One name is selected after a proper length of viewing time (3-5 day) for eachbook.The person who gets to read the book first is announced on the morningannouncements with great pomp and circumstance.The winner reports to the library to check out the book.

100 Book Club or Century ClubObviously, the lofty goal is to read 100 books in a year.Students demonstrate their reading of books by passing an AR quiz or filling out abrief book report/review form (which could be used to share with other interestedreaders).Progressive rewards can be earned for 25, 50 and 75 books read.Members of the Century Club have their picture displayed (yearbook possibly too)and a reward (ie certificate, Century badge allowing them to check out an extrabook in the library, gift certificate/coupon for a free book).

Reading TimelineFor Intermediate students, possibly the oldest at the Elementary School (5th or6th).Students think of a favorite book they enjoyed during each grade K-5 or 6.Print a form with the color copy of the cover, title and author under each grade foreach student.Display around the library as inspiration and ideas for younger students to read. (Hopkins)

Guest ReaderAs much fun as it is for students to hear their teachers and the librarian read tothem, imagine if people from the community come and read.Invite the Principal, Superintendent, high school students (who maybe attendedthe school previously), community members (ie fireman, police officers, storeowners, sports figures), teachers the students will have in the coming year,parents of the Student Star or Student of the Week.Help to pair the Guest Reader with a fitting book, ie firefighter with safety book orhigh school athlete with book about persevering. (Tyson)

Student Audio BooksStudents are recorded reading books.Books are aligned with those in the local Children’s Hospital or the part of thehospital for children.The audio is paired with the book on MP3 or easily accessible to children at thehospital who are not able to read, would rather listen and follow along with thebook, or just want to listen to a story read by someone their age. (Hopkins)

March MadnessIn honor of the college basketball playoffs, create a playoff with books.It could be done with both intermediate and primary, but to do it as a whole school,I would choose Everybody books.Pick 16 Everybody books. Likely many of the Washington Children’s Choice, butlikely some classics, past WCC winners, or classics (ie Dr. Seuss, Where the WildThings Are).Create a Round of 16 bracket. Each week, over 4 weeks, students vote based onthe matchups: Sweet 16, Elite 8, Final 4, Finals. Crown the champ!

“Caught Reading” CampaignTake pictures of staff with their favorite book. Make posters with catchy slogans (ieReading is FUNdamental, Get Caught Reading, Reading Machine, Guilty ofStaying Up Past My Bedtime Reading).Post posters around the school.Create bookmarks with staff recommendations on them as well. (Tyson)

One Book, One SchoolThe goal is for all students to read one book together with their family with followup conversation over the course of a month.A book is preselected for the school and enough copies are purchased for allstudents. Staff organize a reading timeline with an accompanying guide (withquestions and conversation points).For students who aren’t able to read at home (parents at work, etc), volunteers willread with students in the a.m. or p.m. or with afterschool childcare staff or possiblyfirst thing in the morning at school. (Bates)

Name That BookStudents learn the importance of a Title and book cover.Cover an Everybody book’s cover and read the book to the class(es).Provide students with paper and coloring utensilsHave students title the book and draw a cover.Post the students’ covers around the actual book as a display. (Hopkins)

QRL Booktalks/trailersFind book trailers of nominated books or staff book choices.Also, use booktalks recorded by students.Link QRL codes to booktalks/trailers, print off QRLs and attach QRLs to books.Display books along with chromebook(s) with QRL reader add-on.If student is interested in one of the books, they can have the chromebook readthe QRL and watch a booktalk/trailer to find out more about the book.

Scavenger HuntStudents are in small groups with the same book. Students work together to findparts of the book or story elements (ie setting, characters, table of contents,certain pictures, appendix) and what page these things are on.Give a reward to the winning team(s).Could be more complex for intermediate (ie use encyclopedia and find pagenumber of a given word or what chapter did the character leave the country)orSimple for primary (ie how many pages in the book or what page is the dog on). (Hopkins)

Summer Sun/Book FunOrganize summer activities. Host outdoor reading with an accompanying activityand check out time.Example: Read Washington Children’s Choice Nominee “Big Bad Bubble” byAdam Rubin. Then, but of course, break out the bubbles/bubble machine/giantbubble maker, etc.Advertise with school phone message, school website, flyers sent home withreport cards.

Book ClubMaria L. O’Toole’s article, “2.2 Reading Promotion”, had the catchy book clubgroup called: “Devouring Books Lunch Bunch.”Read a group selected book together (librarian provides several to choose from).Read some together and most at home. Discuss the book together.Have a theme each meeting (similar genre books, books with similarcharacters/plots, compare/contrast).Do booktalks or show trailers of possible books of interest to group members eachmeeting.

School/Public Library ConnectionConnect the school library with the public library.Create a summer reading program or partner with the library summer readingprogram, possibly, “Read a 100 Hours”. Students chart their reading and fill inshade in hours on catchy chart.Allow the school to be open for checkout weekly over the summer, but also steerstudents to the public library.Have public library provide mid-way reward (at 50 hours read).When school is back in session in the Fall, students receive recognition andreward for reading (100 hours).

Works CitedBates, Jan, and Nancy R. Webster. \"One School, One Book: One Successful School-library Collaboration.\" Children and Libraries: The Journal of the Association for Library Service to Children (Winter, 2009): 47-50. EBSCO. Web. 23 Jan. 2016.Gyr, Peter. \"School Libraries and Reading Promotion.\" School Libraries and Reading Promotion. IBBY, June 2006. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.Hopkins, Gary. \"25 Ideas to Motivate Young Readers.\" Education World:. Education World, 2015. Web. 12 Mar. 2016.Lamb, Annette, and Larry Johnson. \"Advocacy: Promotion: Public Relations, Advertising and Marketing.\" The School Library Media Specialist: Program Administration. EduScapes, 2013. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.O'Toole, Maria L. \"2.2 Reading Promotion.\" School Library Portfolio. N.p., July 2010. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.Tyson, Kimberly. \"25 Great Ways Schools Can Support Reading L Dr. Kimberly's Literacy Blog.\" Dr Kimberly’s Literacy Blog. N.p., 18 Nov. 2013. Web. 13 Mar. 2016.