Summer Reading Plans

 

Image Credit: http://www.jpsblog.org

“Regardless of ethnicity, socioeconomic level, or previous achievement, children who read four or more books over the summer fare better on reading- comprehension tests in the fall than their peers who read one or no books over the summer.”

-Kim, Jimmy. “Summer Reading and the Ethnic Achievement Gap,” The Journal of Education for Students Placed at Risk (2004).

Do our students know they need to read 4-6 books this summer to maintain their reading level? Have our students shared their summer reading plans with us? Have they committed to completing a certain amount of reading per day? Do they have a plan for accessing books? Do they have friends who live nearby that they can swap books with? Have they scheduled regular trips to our public library? Have they created a list of books that they would like to read this summer? Are our students aware of summer reading programs in the Council Bluffs/Omaha area?

I am sure many of you have created your own summer reading plan. Depending on how you prefer to read your books you have likely done a combination of several things: downloaded books to your eReader, reserved books at the library, asked friends to borrow books they have read and highly recommend, checked out books from our professional library, pledged with a friend to read a book in advance of its release as a movie, or signed up to participate in a summer book club. Maybe you signed up to take part in a summer reading challenge such as #bookaday reading challenge or will you be building your book muscle. Have you shared your summer reading plans with your students?

Your reading life matters. Sharing your reading life and modeling yourself as a reader to our students matters. Researchers Lundberg and Linnakyla found a link between the reading habits of teachers and the reading achievement of their students. Teachers who love to read and read widely have more students who also love to read. Consider taking time during our last few days to share your summer reading plans with students and ask them to share theirs. Below are a few resources that may help you equip students so that they leave us for break with a solid summer reading plan.

Summer Reading Incentive Programs

Scholastic Summer Reading Program

Register your students before break and you will be able to monitor their summer reading as they log reading minutes online. Your classroom will compete with classrooms around the world as they attempt to "Read for the World Record". After registering your class, be sure to enter their classroom library sweepstakes. You can also add a Summer Reading Challenge button to your teacher webpage.

Books A Million Summer Reading Program

When students read 6 books from the suggested summer reading list they are eligible to receive a free Carl Hiaasen backpack.

Half Price Books Summer Reading Program

Students who log 300 minutes of reading in the months of June and July are eligible for $5 in HPB Bookworm Bucks each month. Savvy shoppers who visit the clearance section could turn $5/month into 5-10 books.

Sixth Grade & Under

Pizza Hut Summer Reading Program

Barnes & Noble Summer Reading Program

Please share your summer reading plans in the comment section below.  Which books are at the top of your summer reading list?

Free Books!

How do I build and maintain a classroom library?

This is a question to which I continually seek answers.  Over the years I have found several ways to expand my classroom library.  Since moving to the Council Bluffs/Omaha area I have found several new ways to obtain free/low cost books and ultimately get them into the hands of my students.  I am eager to share what I have learned and would welcome any tips you have in the comment section below.

As you consider the ideas provided please keep in mind that when building a classroom library not all books are of equal value.  Those of you who know me well are probably laughing because I have been known to pick up books off the side of the road and do my best to find them a good home.  It is important to curate vs. amass a classroom library.  Screen book donations so that the titles included in your classroom library match the interests and reading abilities of your students.  Our students are more likely to read books we know, love, and can recommend to them with confidence.

No Cost Solutions

Ensure that the books you have obtained are not easily lost by creating a system for tracking books that leave your classroom.  This will not be enough alone so be sure to label your books by writing your name in permanent marker in a highly visibly spot or affixing a mailing label with your last name and room number.  At least once a week I have a lost book returned to me directly by a colleague or find one in my mailbox.

Tell your friends and family that you are in need of books to build your classroom library and are looking for donations of gently used books.  Send your request out via email or post on Facebook so that your friends can forward/share you request with their friends as well.  

Swap classroom libraries with a teacher in your building midway through the school year.  I have even noticed that rearranging my own classroom library or introducing a new display will renew student interest.

Create a book swap shelf in your classroom and label it "Book Swap" or "Take a Book, Leave a Book".  Invite students to bring in books from home that they no longer want and would like to swap.

Check out books from our local Green Hills Area Education Association GHAEA for classroom use.  Pick up books at the annual GHAEA book giveaway in the fall.

Visit Craigslist and look for postings for free books.  Retiring teachers and people moving across country often will place an ad to get rid of books but these tend to go very quickly! 

Join Goodreads.com and participate in their book giveaways.  Goodreads is like Facebook for people who love books!  

Sign up to be a World Book Night Book Giver.   This program solicits applicants in October or November and awards 20 books to each selected applicant in March. Books are to be distributed to low readers or non-readers on April 23.  This year I will distribute 20 copies of Middle School: The Worst Years of My Life by James Patterson.  Last year I was granted 20 copies of the Hunger Games by Suzanne Collins.

Visit Donors Choose and create a profile and post classroom project requests.  This process does take some time.  This is a great site to use throughout the year but it has been shared with me that teachers who have used this in the past had better results when they listed their requests in November/December.  

Visit Swap 4 Schools create a free account, build your wish list and donations of books will come directly to your school. 

Check out websites that connect donors with teachers in need of books like www.bookmentors.org  I recently received a hard cover copy of Wonder by R.J. Palacio through this website which I placed in Barb Ryan's classroom library.  Her students have had three copies in constant circulation and a waiting list for this book since October.  

Participate in the Scholastic Book Order, accrue points towards the purchase of books for your classroom library. 

Volunteer at the Scholastic Warehouse during their annual 50% off sales.  Teachers are paid $10 per hour in books and because books are 50% off it is like making $20/hour.  Pair this with their $10 off $50 or $25 off $100 dollar coupon.  For additional savings check out their build a box area where you are able to fill a box of books for $25.  (The next Scholastic Warehouse Sale is scheduled for May 9-24, 2013 at 8619 South 117th St.  La Vista, NE 68128.)

Request a book donation to your classroom library at Half Price Books. The 6th grade Language Arts team received a very generous donation from Half Price Books at the beginning of the school year.

Apply for a Council Bluffs Community Foundation Classroom Grant.  This application hasn’t changed significantly from year to year so take time now or over the summer to draft a request and save it for future use.

Low Cost Solutions

Visit Half Price Used Books Store and visit their clearance book section.  Books are priced $.50-$2.00.  Teachers also receive a 10% discount with school ID.  Sign up for their mailing list so that you receive additional discounts throughout the year.

If you are looking for a particular title visit www.half.com.  Books can often be purchased for the cost of shipping and a couple of dollars.

Shop Goodwill and other local thrifts stores.  Ask an employee for details on when they offer additional discounts on books. 

Shop Friends of the Library Book Sales.  We have the advantage of being able to access both Council Bluffs Public Library and Omaha Public Library Book Sales.

Shop garage sales.  I target nice neighborhoods and always mention that I am purchasing the books for my classroom library.  I have been pleasantly surprised by how many people will offer an additional discount, donate them on the spot, or suggest that you return at the end of the sale to take any remaining books free of charge.

Do you have tips or ideas to share?  If you have used any of the methods above what has worked best for you?  Please share your ideas in the comment section.