Stories From Room 226: books, Books, BOOKS!

    This is part of the Slice of Life Challenge hosted by the Two Writing Teachers

 

Like many schools around the country, mine celebrated Read Across America this week.  We try to keep it realtively simple, but also have lots of fun.  Our students were encouraged to do some things to help "Celebrate the Joy of Reading."  Here is what our school did and how my class did:

1) Match or exceed a nightly reading goal √ Our target goal was to average 30 minutes a night per child.  We averaged 66 minutes per night per child.  For a total of 7,129 minutes during the week.

    My class reads.  It is just one of the identity traits we have.  And if you get stuck in our reading community, you ... read.  So, while the number of minutes read at home this week could seem seem impressive, it is just who we are.   

2) Wear "themed clothes" on each day √ We had over 80% participation each day.

    When you think about it, who doesn't like to wear crazy socks every once in a while? And yes, that is me in the middle rockin' the Leprechaun socks.

3) Donate books √ The target goal for each classroom in the building was 45 books (which is about 2 per child).  Our class donated 577 books.  Which was about 21 books per child.  I did add 23 of my own books on the last day (I didn't want to be outdone by my class and the even 600 number for total books looks pretty cool).

 

To me this was the most impressive thing my class accomplished this week.  I have great kids and great family support so that helped tremendously.  But when a group of children who love reading so much they are willing to clear out their bookcases to give the gift of books to others, that just makes you want to celebrate big time.

So, celebrate we did.  Today we celebrated the "Joy of Reading" by ... wait for it ...

READING.

We didn't have a pizza party, we didn't watch a movie, we didn't have extra recess, we didn't play games on our iPads, we just read and listened to read alouds (including one from our principal). Since we were going to spend all day doing something we love,  I did let them wear their pajamas.  

Best day ever.

Later,

Tony

Comments

[Dogtrax]

Wow -- I love all of that, and all those photos. Man, you know how to celebrate reading, Tony. Way to go!
Kevin

[Mentortexts]

Fun! It makes me happy to hear about kids reading. I wish I could have stayed in my pajamas and read all day. Thanks for sharing!

[Kelli Traber]

Dude, those socks right there are one of the many reasons I miss being right down the hall from you. I hope you shaved your legs for that. . . .

I love reading your blog. It bridges the distance a bit. I can hear your voice and (almost) see you standing by my desk in the a. m.

[Gretchen Taylor]

My favorite: "My class reads. It is just one of the identity traits we have."

We, too, wore our jammies to school today and celebrated reading with *reading*. We even had a few PIllow Pets show up for periods of 60 uninterrupted minutes of escape.

Tough but crucial task to capture this joy every day! (mounting test score pressure be darned :))

Happy SOLC12, Tony!

[Jreaderwriter]

If you get stuck in our reading community, you... read. I love that line! And, I like being stuck in that kind of community. You were my first mentor when I came back to teaching 12 years ago, and for that I am thankful. You showed me how to have the kind of classroom I always wanted. I love reading your blog and hearing your stories. :)

Julie

[ReadSoMuch]

Looks like your students (and you!) had a wonderful week. The number of books donated astounds me - I bet the students were climbing the shelves to get to all the new reads!
Hope you don't mind if we borrow some ideas for celebrating reading ...we're unfortunately waiting until after our state testing (blech!).
Chris

[Katsok]

Holy Moses - those are some great socks. :)

Seriously, love the peak into your room. A day of reading sounds like a wonderful day to me!

[Jen Schwanke]

As someone lucky enough to watch Tony work, I can to reiterate how cool this week was. The thing you don't know unless you've seen him work, though, is how his room feels. It's calm. Quiet. The kids are at peace. There's no undercurrent of anxiety found in many classrooms. Yesterday I walked in and everyone was just... chillin'. Chillin' and readin'. Best feeling.

[Carwilc]

Sooo cool! I love that you did for a whole week. Been trying to decide what to do with my kids the week before spring been, after two weeks of state testing. Think I'll just copy you! Wish I lived in Ohio and I could come and visit your classroom!

[Maria Caplin]

Such a fun way and authentic way to celebrate Right to Read week-our school collected books and we only go 952 as a whole building-congrats to your class! Also I love your pics and the way they are organized-classy!

[Merelydaybyday.blogspot.com]

That is a lot of books, Tony. Reading and fashion all in one week. Impressive.

Cathy