For review only. Not for distribution.
The Role of the Classroom Teacher or Summer Reading Coordinator
Before implementing My Books Summer, the classroom teacher or coordinator can engage kids and families in various ways. The teacher or coordinator can do some or all of the following: • Send home letters to introduce My Books Summer. (See sample letters, pp. 33–38.) • Host a Scholastic Literacy Event to show the program and its take-home components before distributing materials. • Preview book packs with the class, noting special features or subject matter that seem especially enticing. • Engage in a book talk about a familiar title to model thinking about books and citing text-based evidence. • Emphasize to students that the books are theirs to keep—to read, reread, enjoy, share, and add to their home libraries. • Post flyers in the classroom and hold a poster contest to build enthusiasm about summer reading. • Establish the daily practice of making journal entries and logging minutes spent reading in anticipation of the Summer Reading Journal and Summer Reading Log. • With older students, open a class discussion about the importance of reading over the summer and its impact on their overall success in school and beyond. • Encourage students to take part in the Scholastic Summer Reading program, a free online summer reading program where students can log their reading minutes, access free resources, and earn digital prizes. (www.scholastic.com/summer) • Remind students that in the fall they will get to share their journals and Think Sheets with their new teacher, who will be thrilled to be introduced to students through their reading history and writing skills. • If you have purchased the family engagement BookConnect mobile tool, hold a tutorial for families at a summer reading kickoff event. • If you allow students to choose their own books, help them make book selections that will support and expand their skills. Is the book on a topic of interest? Does it look appealing? Challenging? Informative?
To help implement these tips, use the checklist on p. 20.
18
Made with FlippingBook - Online catalogs