Check out today's tip for promoting reading.
Scholastics book orders has always been one of my favourite things, even as a child. It was always exciting getting that new book order and scouring through it to circle all of the books I wanted. I had a wonderful mother who, even though wasn’t an avid reader herself, wanted to help my love of books to grow. So each she let me get many books through Scholastics book orders over the years. That anticipation of waiting for the book order to arrive and then finally getting that brand new book in my hands was such a joy.
Knowing how much I loved getting books from the Scholastics book orders I decided that as a teacher I would most definitely give out the book orders. After noticing the Scholastics book certificates, each certificate worth $4.99, in the book orders I decided that was a must buy. So as a Christmas gift I gave students the gift of choosing their own book from the book orders. Their eyes lit up when they realized that not only would they get a book, but they would get to choose it. The only stipulation was that if they wanted a book that was more expensive then the certificate, they were responsible for bringing in the extra money.
This year scholastics was even more incredible, because on a couple of the book orders if you ordered a certain amount, I think $35 dollars’ worth, then they would send you a class set of books or bookmarks FREE. Yes you read that right, FREE!!!!!! So for Valentines each student received their own mini copy of “The School from the Black Lagoon” by Mike Thaler and a Minecraft bookmark. They dove right in and started reading the books as soon as they found it waiting for them on their desks.
My last book gift is one that students receive on the last day of school. I have been doing this since my first year of teaching. Every year I keep my eye out for the 25 books for $25 dollar deals and for books that are $2.99 or less in the book orders. So by the end of the year I have a good collection of wonderful and cheap books. During the last or second last week of school I tell students that for their year-end present each of them will get a book to take home. I spread out all of the books I have been saving onto tables and carpets. I randomly pick students, using popsicle sticks with their names on them, and allow each child to come and choose their book. Then I take the books home and write a personal message to each of them in their book. I also create bookmarks with a lovely end of the school year poem I found. Then on the last day of school I give them their books and watch their faces lit up.
What kinds of reading gifts do you love to give?