Okay, we had issues with last year’s program because we started out with 500 kids but in the end we only had 20 actively participating in the event and the seemed more focused on winning for their school and our main goal has been and will continue to be encouraging kids to read. So we changed it up this year thinking we could encourage kids without having it be a competition. In that line of thinking, we came up with three things we could do that could be done at a child’s own pace, for faster or slower; the homemade journal, the photo challenge and collection for non-profits.
But, we didn’t count on our inability to get the information out in a consistent manner and quite frankly, we are really bummed that we haven’t done better with it. So, here is the game plan for finishing up the summer with a bang.
Journal : We love the idea of you writing about what you read and here are all the prompts you can write about in your journal. Didn’t get a journal, stop by and we will get you one. Bring it back on our August 11th Back to School Event and get a prize.
Prompts:
Week 1: Write about your favorite character from any book you have read in the last two years. Why are they your favorite? If you like, you could draw a picture of your favorite character in action instead of/or with your writing.
Week 2: Did you ever read a book that you felt the cover didn’t really fit with the story and you would have done something else with the artwork? Write about or draw your version of the cover.
Week 3: Did you ever read a book that made you feel something very strongly, like very happy, sad, angry or excited? Write about that book and why it made you feel like that. Or you can draw a picture of yourself feeling that strong emotion.
Week 4: Do you ever wish you could go to the places you read about? Write about where you would go (even imaginary lands) if you could or draw yourself in those places.
Week 5: What kind of story would you like to be the main character of? Write or draw a scene from a book that features you as the main character.
Week 6: Did you ever read a story that you didn’t like the way it ended? Do you think you could come up with a better ending? Write the new ending or draw a scene from your ending.
Week 7: Where do you like to read? Are you more likely to read on a couch or in bed or under a tree? Write about why you read where you do or draw a picture of your favorite spot to read.
Week 8: Why is reading important to you? Think about what it would be like to not be able to write or hear stories. Write about why reading is important to you or draw advertisement poster encouraging other kids to read. Be sure and use your reasons why you find reading important in the advertisement.
Week 9: Have you ever learned a lesson from a character in a book? For example, Snow White’s might have taught you to be careful about accepting gifts from strangers. Write about or draw a scene that explains a lesson you learned from a book.
Week 10: Looking back at all the entries you have made, what was the most fun to write or draw?
Photo Challenge: We really liked the idea of engaging our readers by pointing out that reading takes place all over the place and actively seeking those reading opportunities could really help us out. Where we dropped the ball was in trying to make it so you had to come back every week to get the new challenge. Sorry, one of our less than effective ideas. So, here is a full list of challenges and bring in your photos during that Back to School Event for a prize as well.
- Take a picture of you and what you are reading this week
- Take a picture of you helping your family with a recipe
- Take a picture of your favorite place to read
- Take a picture of something that gives you directions
- Take a picture of you at your favorite branch of the library
- Take a picture of something mentioned (can be only mentioned once like a comb or a pen)in the book you are reading this week but take it really close up. Don’t forget to write down what it is so at the end of the summer you won’t forget what it is.
- Take a picture of words on a food wrapper
- Take a picture of words found on a trail
- Take a picture of words found in a parking lot
- (BIGGEST CHALLENGE) Take pictures from now until our Back to School Event that show words in the world around you. Be creative and be sure you are in the pictures as well.
Donations: We will be focusing our efforts on collecting school supplies for the upcoming school year (yes it is coming up quick). We will be donating all the materials to the Poudre School District who will then distribute them to kids in need. We are accepting all kinds of materials – pens, pencils, glue, backpacks, paper , binders and all other manner of school “stuff”. With all the over the top sales the big box chain stores are running, for two bucks , you can really help a person out.
