Promoting+Reading

Promoting Reading These are some ideas to promote reading.

Storytimes, Booktalks, and More
 * Storytime Treasures: Introduce each storytime by hiding the book and a related prop inside a large decorated box. Allow students to take a turn weekly. The child shows the clue, and takes three guesses from the audience. Then he/she shows the book.
 * Storytelling Props: Use props from different stories.
 * Booktalks with visual aids
 * Puppets
 * Reader's Theatre
 * Reading Banquet: Each reading class uses the theme of a different book to decorate an eight foot table with place mats, mint cups, bookmarks, and centerpieces. Charge money for viewing the tables and serve desserts. Other students can provide musical performances, read poetry, or write and perform book skits.
 * Library Camping: Pull all the books on camping. Set up small pop-up tents in a circle. Bring in any camping gear you may have: sleeping bags, flashlights, etc. Read with the lights out and the flashlights on.
 * Who was that Masked Reader?: Mystery readers read poems over the intercom. Each class guesses the readers identity and sends a guess to the office. Winners are announced in the morning notices.
 * Quick Read: Put one new title in each chair before class. Students look at the jacket, title, the flap, the author before reading page one. They begin reading for seven minutes and then pass the book to the left. Do this four times.
 * Bulletin Boards
 * Using themes throughout the year (sports, dinosaurs, pets, pioneers, explorers, space, space travel, folk tales, holidays, poetry, patriotism, Pilgrims, minorities). Plan activities for students that follow the theme. Bibliographies can be prepared on the theme. You can promote books and reading with various student activities, such as making bookmarks, voting for favorite books, making posters, advertising favorite books, and preparing and acting in skits or puppet plays.
 * You can give a book talk or book suggestions through the intercom during morning announcements.
 * Students enjoy riddles about favorite books.
 * Teachers' Pets: Teachers supply a picture of his/her pet and students match the pet to the teacher.
 * You must have been a beautiful baby: Same concept as Teachers' Pet but with baby pictures.
 * Teachers' Favorite Hobby: Same concept but with favorite hobby

Utilizing Technology
 * What's New in the Media Center?: On closed circuit, feature book reviews, new arrivals or sequels or current displays in the media center.
 * Recorded Booktalks: Play sample readings of recorded books as a free booktalk.