Looking towards this summer.....

It is April and items are already coming out about what to do over the summer. I wanted to share with you the 2010 Barnes and Noble Passport to Summer Reading information that I just received. Barnes and Noble is partnering with author Rick Riordan on summer reading. This summer reading program encourages first through sixth graders to read during the summer.

Each child picks books they wish to read and fills the titles in their Summer Passport form. After they have read eight books they can return their book passport to their local Barnes and Noble store and receive a FREE book! Completed forms may be turned in between May 25 and September 7, 2010. Children choose a free book from the list on the passport of available titles.

If you would like your book passport form, visit your local Barnes and Noble store to request one. If you live in the Murfreesboro, TN area, just send us an email and we can get the form to you.

Encourage your children to participate in this great adventure!

Encouraging a reader....

Teachers use many different ideas to encourage children to read. In meetings I am often asked though what to do about that student who needs to be on the move all the time, you know, the one with the motor stuck on "full speed" at all times. Here are just two of many ideas of how to incorporate movement with reading.

1. Take painters tape and tape a line or long box shape to the floor. This is the reading path. Allow students to take turns walking and reading in this designated area. By having an area set aside, it also helps to reduce collisions (hopefully!) since anyone walking past this area will know to expect a student to be in that space.

2. Scoot and read. Take a short book and copy the pages. Then either tape them in order around the room on the floor or low on the wall. Students are to sit cross-legged at each page and then "scoot" on their behinds to the next page. With younger students you could do this down a hallway that parents frequently walk down and encourage a family activity by having parents read with their children.

So have fun with these ideas and feel free to share any that you have tried and found to be successful!