Classroom idea-sparkers.

Ugly Book Covers

Joanne Beda, Learning Center Director at Field School, District #205, Elmhurst, Illinois, shared this idea, which she "borrowed" from a colleague and has used often to stimulate children's reading.

As you might imagine, jackets of books in school classrooms and libraries quickly become worn and ripped. Although the inside is in fine condition, these books often sit on the shelf while students pick books with new-looking, shiny covers. Librarians and teachers can enlist the children's help in order to give these older books a new and fresh appearance. The librarian chooses books that qualify for the project and removes the existing book jacket. Then teachers invite the children to read several books and select one story that they really like. The children then illustrate an appropriate and attractive book jacket, write a summary of the story for the inside flap and write something about the cover illustrator (themselves) for the back flap.

After completing the cover design on white paper (cut to size), students type the other information on the computer. This print-out is then glued onto the cover. Finally, the covers are laminated and attached to the book. The result is a "facelift" for a book that may be old, but tells a story worth reading.

Another Book Idea--Guess Who?

Sandra H. Kale, Elementary Teaching Program Student at Arizona State University-West, is a certified substitute teacher who encounters many different situations where "Idea-Sparkers could save the day."

To get children involved in thinking, reading, sharing and writing, play the "Guess Who Game." Review books that you know your students have read and develop a set of clues from which they must guess the book or the character within a book. Keep giving clues until they get the answer.

EXAMPLE:

I am a boy. My aunt does not approve of my friend. I am forced to wear shoes even though I would prefer to go barefoot. I love to sail my raft on the river and listen to the steamboats. My best friend is Huck Finn.

Answer: Tom Sawyer

After students become familiar with the game, they can generate their own clues about their favorite books or characters. You may wish to develop a list of books from which students can choose.

This is another great way to encourage children to read and expand their horizons.

Books, Books and More Books--Starting a Book Exchange

Joan Zabelka and Cathy Duffek, parents at Dosher School in Justice, Illinois, developed this idea as a way to share their love of books and reading.

Another way to get books into the hands of children is through a book exchange. Parents, community members, students and staff can donate books to a book exchange. Students would each receive a coupon that they could exchange for a used (but well-loved) book. Students cash in their coupons at a station staffed by parent volunteers. The students receive a coupon for each book they donate. This program is currently in the beginning stages at Dosher School. Any readers who have tried a book exchange, please send in your stories. We can all benefit from finding new ways to recycle those reading treasures on our shelves.

Have Books . . . . . . Will Travel

Karen King and Denise Niemeyer, 1st-Grade Teachers at Field School, District #205, Elmhurst, Illinois, shared this idea.

Teachers are always looking for great ways to bridge the gap between school and home and to provide meaningful and productive homework activities. This alternative to skill and drill assignments reinforces the whole-language approach to reading and writing.

Every night, one 1st-grade student is assigned to take home a "Reading Suitcase." This is a special event for the child. There are three suitcases, each one focusing on a separate children's book with an appealing character. Don Freeman's Corduroy, H. A. Rey's Curious George and Norman Bridwell's Clifford make their homes in those suitcases during the year. Each suitcase holds the book's character in stuffed animal form, the book, a pocket folder and the character's journal.

Let's take Corduroy for an example.The student takes home the suitcase and, that evening, reads the story with their "stuffed friend." They can then make a picture for Corduroy and place it in the pocket folder. In addition, the children are asked to write in the journal about Corduroy's adventure at their house. The next morning, the children return to school with their suitcase and their new friend. During sharing time, the children describe Corduroy's adventures and display the artwork they have created.

This has proven to be an exciting and motivating experience for the students and their families. Everyone anticipates their turn to take home the "Reading Suitcase" and have an adventure with a new book--and a new friend.

Reading Buddies--Big Buds, Little Buds

Jodine Hideg and Rosalie Davis, teach 1st grade and 4th grade, respectively, at Walsh School in Lockport, Illinois. They have been working on a special peer tutoring project with their students.

One very successful peer tutoring project at Walsh School used the Dr. Seuss stories. During February, 1st-grade students paired up with 4th-grade partners to read Dr. Seuss. The 1st-grade student chose and read an "easy to read" Dr. Seuss book. A 4th-grade partner helped the 1st-grader learn to read the book. The students also worked together to practice reading teacher-provided vocabulary words, using the words to build sentences and naming more rhyming words based on the chosen book.

With a different 4th-grade partner, the 1st-grader chose a more difficult book written by Dr. Seuss. The 4th-grader read the book to the 1st-grader and they then worked together on related activities. During the course of the unit, the students worked together to complete a page from the Dr. Seuss book, I Can Draw It Myself . . . with a Little Help from Dr. Seuss. Fourth-grade students then worked to help the 1st-grader read and memorize a selected verse.

To culminate the activity, the students joined together to present a program for their parents, reciting verses and sharing completed artwork. In addition, the two classes celebrated Dr. Seuss's birthday by making green eggs (add blue food coloring to eggs prior to scrambling) and ham. Students then enjoyed the Dr. Seuss movie, Seuss on the Loose.

Peer Tutoring . . . Continued

Your Idea-Sparkers Editor observed another excellent example of peer tutoring many years ago. Tonya Moravec was the 6th-Grade Teacher at Brodnicki School in Justice, Illinois who developed this idea.

The 6th-graders studied the structure of fairy tales and then created and illustrated their own fairy tales. After the writing process and illustrations were complete, they worked on developing a presentation of their story. The class then presented these fairy tales to the kindergarten children. This was a most productive learning experience for all involved. Even some of the poorest readers in the 6th grade were able to find success in this activity.

Family Reading Night

Illinois' Second Annual Family Reading Night was November 18, 1993. The yearly event is simple. It is an invitation to parents to turn off the TV and spend the evening reading with their children. Family Reading Night is sponsored by the Illinois State Library and supported by the Illinois State Board of Education and several library and reading groups. George H. Ryan, Secretary of State and State Librarian, and Robert Leininger, State Superintendent of Instruction, send letters to schools with an information flyer that can be reproduced for parents. Schools are asked to promote the event through book/poster contests, classroom/school displays, reading "pep" rallys, etc.

The event is an attempt to encourage families to make reading a part of their daily schedule. The theme of the event is "Families that read together grow together." During the first year, more than 25,000 families participated. Parents and children were enthusiastically supportive and enjoyed participating in this statewide event. Hats off to Illinois for their support of family reading!