"BUILDING A SCHOOL OF READERS" A Reading Incentive Program at Birchwood Elementary School
On November 21,1996, Birchwood School held the kickoff assembly for a school wide reading incentive program, "BUILDING A SCHOOL OF READERS". All the staff members wore work clothes and hard hats to tie in with the construction theme. Each child received a construction related book marker and a supply of "bricks".
The goal of the program was to encourage our children to read at school, at home and everywhere. For every chapter book or every three picture books a child read (or listened to), he/she filled out a "brick" with the title and author of the book. The completed brick was placed in a model dump truck located in the front hall of the school. Each day during morning announcements, one or two bricks were drawn from the truck. Those students won small prizes.
Also each day, our construction crew went to work to place the completed bricks on the wall of the hall outside the Media Center. We all found it exciting to watch the building, a "School of Readers", take shape as more and more bricks were added. Eventually the entire wall was covered and our "school" took shape.
The Reading Incentive Program ended officially on January 30 with a grand total of 2460 books read. We were very happy that so many students and staff members participated. The Reading Incentive Committee celebrated the great accomplishments with a special assembly performance of a play based on the book Willy the Wimp by Anthony Browne. Mr. Buckley was a big hit with students and teachers alike with his portrayal of Willy. The video of this performance is available in the Media Center for students and families to borrow.
The members of the Reading Incentive Committee who planned this program were Tom Buckley, Beth Disque, Maureen Eadry, Caryn Feig, and Debbie Friedson.
: For more information, contact Beth Disque - Media Specialist
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