"Read on!" Readers!: The Reading Team celebrates its fifth year

The Reading Team, celebrating its fifth year, has just completed its best season ever!

This year one hundred and thirty-six kids signed up and one hundred and twenty-six finished. This represented a thirty percent increase in participation from last year and encompassed close to two-thirds of the eligible students in grades two through six. Each student who finished read three or more books and wrote reviews for each for a grand total of four hundred and thirty-two reviews!  

This year’s Reading Team honored the 50th anniversary of the publication of the Norton Juster’s classic children’s book The Phantom Tollbooth.  Each member of the team had a paper car posted with their name on it and deposited their reviews into a cardboard “tollbooth” located at the entrance to the library.  Team members were encouraged in their choice of books to “explore new lands” just like the character Milo does in The Phantom Tollbooth.

The concept of the Reading Team originated with our Librarian Nancy Brady with help from some sixth graders in 2007.  The purpose was to create a supportive environment to encourage and nurture students’ love of reading. The process of writing and sharing reviews transforms reading into a social activity while creating a school-wide multiage reading community. Student reviews are posted throughout the library for everyone in the school to see and read. The opportunity to participate in the Reading Team also serves to encourage those more reluctant readers.  The required three books can be read over six weeks and the students themselves choose the books.  We encourage variety in choices and also encourage students to read books of interest including some that challenge their abilities and skills.  The point is to read and enjoy what you read.  No pressure is put on reading a lot of books though some kids do read and review more than the three required books.  All of the book reviews are kept in a Reading Team notebook accessible to parents and students throughout the year.

The perks that come with being a Reading Team member include an extra book to check out during the Reading Team season, attendance at the end of the season celebration party, and the pride of participating and seeing their reviews posted.  These small perks have great meaning and the ever increasing membership on the Reading Team is prove that this is a supportive way to encourage pride in reading as well as develop school spirit and promote community.

This year we celebrated the end of the Reading Team with a gathering in the gym featuring the children's book author and SCCS parent Mo Willems.  Mo shared his love of reading and answered student questions about the process of writing children's books. He also read two new books "Listen to My Trumpet!" (an Elephant and Piggie Book) and the soon-to-be released "The Duckling Gets a Cookie!?" (a Pigeon Book).  Mo shared with our students the news that they were the first group of children to hear this story read aloud in the U.S. and, as importantly, the first to hear the story while eating cupcakes!

When it comes to reading, the Campus School is fortunate to have both a well-stocked library and a school bursting with enthusiastic readers eager to explore its shelves!

Past Spotlights:

The Sounds of Music: The Instrumental Music Program Click here >>

International Peace Week : September 19th - 23rd Students and Faculty celebrate peace Click here >>

Great Changer Mosaic: A collaborative cross grade project results in permanent art installation at the Campus School Click here >>

Spring 2011: Ditch Disposable Campaign 2011: Click here >>

Winter 2010-2011: Student Film Festival: Click here >>

Fall 2010: First Graders Create a Butterfly Garden: Click here >>

Summer 2010: The SCCS June Program: Two new activities and both proved to be a resounding success!
Click here >>

Spring 2010: Campus School Reading Team: An Abundance of Readers!

Click here >>

Winter 2010: Generating Pedal Power! - A Collaborative Exploration
Click here >>

Fall 2009: It's just recesss...or is it?

The playground as a setting for learning and community building.

Click here >>

Spring 2009: A Close-Up View of Children Learning

Read about the collaboration between our kindergarteners and Smith College students.

Click here >>

SPOTLIGHT

Winter 2012

Fall 2011

Summer 2011

Spring 2011

Winter 2011

Fall 2010

Summer 2010