Reading Reading WarriorsWarriors

White Knoll Elementary’s White Knoll Elementary’s Reading Incentive ProgramReading Incentive Program

Presented by:Presented by:Terri Catalano (Media Specialist) Terri Catalano (Media Specialist)

tcatalano@lexington1.nettcatalano@lexington1.netand and

Jennifer Ebert (Literacy Coach) Jennifer Ebert (Literacy Coach) jebert@lexington1.netjebert@lexington1.net

9-4-089-4-08Good Morning,Good Morning,

I am excited to share with you a reading initiative on which Jennifer and I are collaborating.  You may I am excited to share with you a reading initiative on which Jennifer and I are collaborating.  You may recall that I have promoted reading and voting on the SC Children's Book Award nominees for the past recall that I have promoted reading and voting on the SC Children's Book Award nominees for the past two years;  the program we are coordinating this year is similar, but we are turning it up a notch - or two years;  the program we are coordinating this year is similar, but we are turning it up a notch - or BAM! as we add some spice to our program as Emeril does when cooking!BAM! as we add some spice to our program as Emeril does when cooking!

You can see on the attached form the list of Children's Book Award nominee this year  - there are a lot You can see on the attached form the list of Children's Book Award nominee this year  - there are a lot of great books and I think our students will get excited about reading many of the titles.  On the bottom of great books and I think our students will get excited about reading many of the titles.  On the bottom of the page are the instructions for how many books the students need to read to qualify as a Reading of the page are the instructions for how many books the students need to read to qualify as a Reading Warrior:  if they read 3 books each quarter for a total of 12 at the end of the year, they will receive a Warrior:  if they read 3 books each quarter for a total of 12 at the end of the year, they will receive a certificate at the awards assembly.  If they read at least 5 books by February they can vote for their certificate at the awards assembly.  If they read at least 5 books by February they can vote for their favorite, along with students from across the state.favorite, along with students from across the state.

To ensure that students are getting credit for books they have read, they will be required to write a one To ensure that students are getting credit for books they have read, they will be required to write a one paragraph review on the WKES Shelfari homepage at one of the computers in the media center.  (paragraph review on the WKES Shelfari homepage at one of the computers in the media center.  (http://www.shelfari.com/o1517623636/lists/IsRead#firstBook=0&list=6&sort=customhttp://www.shelfari.com/o1517623636/lists/IsRead#firstBook=0&list=6&sort=custom).  The review will ).  The review will give us accountability to ensure that students are reading and will allow them to practice some "real give us accountability to ensure that students are reading and will allow them to practice some "real world" writing that their peers can use for suggestions when choosing a book to read.world" writing that their peers can use for suggestions when choosing a book to read.

We want to add a fun classroom component also.  We are making poster size charts for each of your We want to add a fun classroom component also.  We are making poster size charts for each of your classes with the titles of the 20 books across the top of the chart and spaces for you to write the names classes with the titles of the 20 books across the top of the chart and spaces for you to write the names of your students down the side of the chart.  Each time a student completes a book and writes a review of your students down the side of the chart.  Each time a student completes a book and writes a review on a media center computer that is posted on Shelfari, we will send them back to your class with a note on a media center computer that is posted on Shelfari, we will send them back to your class with a note that indicates they have earned a star.  At that time, you, or your student, can put a star in the spot that indicates they have earned a star.  At that time, you, or your student, can put a star in the spot that shows the name of the student and the book that he/she read.  By using this chart, your class will that shows the name of the student and the book that he/she read.  By using this chart, your class will have a constant visual representation of their participation in this exciting program.have a constant visual representation of their participation in this exciting program.

Each week on the morning news, Jennifer and I will present a "reading minute."  This feature will vary Each week on the morning news, Jennifer and I will present a "reading minute."  This feature will vary from week to week but will address something about reading or the Reading Warrior  program.  For from week to week but will address something about reading or the Reading Warrior  program.  For example, one week we might booktalk one or two titles to generate interest.  One week we may draw example, one week we might booktalk one or two titles to generate interest.  One week we may draw one or two random names from all the students who have posted reviews on Shelfari and the student one or two random names from all the students who have posted reviews on Shelfari and the student and his/her teacher will win a prize.  Another week we might do a short read aloud that highlights a and his/her teacher will win a prize.  Another week we might do a short read aloud that highlights a special day, such as a Halloween read aloud.  The objective of the reading minute will be to get special day, such as a Halloween read aloud.  The objective of the reading minute will be to get students excited about reading and specifically to participate in our year long Reading Warrior program.students excited about reading and specifically to participate in our year long Reading Warrior program.

We will introduce this program to students tomorrow (September 5) on the morning news and we will We will introduce this program to students tomorrow (September 5) on the morning news and we will bring the posters to your room today and tomorrow.  We hope you are as excited about this as we are bring the posters to your room today and tomorrow.  We hope you are as excited about this as we are (ok, we will settle for mildly interested!)  Bottom line - we are coordinating the program, our students (ok, we will settle for mildly interested!)  Bottom line - we are coordinating the program, our students will get excited about reading and You Might Win A Prize!will get excited about reading and You Might Win A Prize!

Thanks so much.  Please email us with any questions.Thanks so much.  Please email us with any questions.

Terri and JenniferTerri and Jennifer

South Carolina Children’s Book Award NomineesSouth Carolina Children’s Book Award Nominees2008-20092008-2009

1.1. Archer’s QuestArcher’s Quest by Linda Sue Park by Linda Sue Park 2.2. Big One-ohBig One-oh by Dean Pitchford by Dean Pitchford3.3. Bringing Ezra BackBringing Ezra Back by Cynthia DeFelice by Cynthia DeFelice 4.4. ClementineClementine by Sara Pennypacker by Sara Pennypacker5.5. Melvin Beederman Superhero: Curse of the Bologna SandwichMelvin Beederman Superhero: Curse of the Bologna Sandwich by Greg Trine by Greg Trine 6.6. Dexter, the ToughDexter, the Tough by Margaret Peterson Haddix by Margaret Peterson Haddix 7.7. Drita, My Homegirl Drita, My Homegirl by Jenny Lombard by Jenny Lombard 8.8. Earth Dragon Awakes, The San Franciso Earthquake of 1906 Earth Dragon Awakes, The San Franciso Earthquake of 1906 by Laurence Yepby Laurence Yep9.9. Feathers Feathers by Jacqueline Woodsonby Jacqueline Woodson10.10. Free BaseballFree Baseball by Sue Corbett by Sue Corbett 11.11. GossamerGossamer by Lois Lowry by Lois Lowry 12.12. Homework MachineHomework Machine by Dan Gutman by Dan Gutman 13.13. How to Save Your Tail How to Save Your Tail by Mary Elizabeth Hansonby Mary Elizabeth Hanson14.14. How to Steal a DogHow to Steal a Dog by Barbara O’Connor by Barbara O’Connor 15.15. Jack Plank Tells TalesJack Plank Tells Tales by Natalie Babbitt by Natalie Babbitt 16.16. Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane Miraculous Journey of Edward Tulane by Kate DiCamillo by Kate DiCamillo 17.17. Pompeii: Lost and FoundPompeii: Lost and Found by Mary Pope Osborne by Mary Pope Osborne 18.18. Room One: a Mystery or TwoRoom One: a Mystery or Two by Andrew Clements by Andrew Clements19.19. Roxie and the HooligansRoxie and the Hooligans by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor20.20. Winners WalkWinners Walk by Nancy Ruth Patterson by Nancy Ruth Patterson

Do you want to be a Reading Warrior? Read at least Do you want to be a Reading Warrior? Read at least 3 CBA nominee books each 9 weeks3 CBA nominee books each 9 weeks and and write a one paragraph review on write a one paragraph review on WKE’s ShelfariWKE’s Shelfari homepage. Read at least 5 CBA books homepage. Read at least 5 CBA books to vote for your favorite in February.to vote for your favorite in February.

At the end of the school year you if you read at least At the end of the school year you if you read at least 12 CBA12 CBA books and books and write a reviewwrite a review for each for each one, you will receive a Reading Warrior certificate at the Awards Assembly.one, you will receive a Reading Warrior certificate at the Awards Assembly.

9 Week Quarters9 Week Quarters

Aug. 20- Oct. 24/Oct. 25 – Jan. 15Aug. 20- Oct. 24/Oct. 25 – Jan. 15 / /Jan. 16 – March 26/March 27 - May 22Jan. 16 – March 26/March 27 - May 22

Dear Teachers,Dear Teachers,

Your student has read Your student has read another book from the another book from the Children’s Book Awards Children’s Book Awards list and he/she has list and he/she has written a review on written a review on Shelfari. Please allow Shelfari. Please allow him/her to put a star him/her to put a star under the title they just under the title they just reviewed on your chart.reviewed on your chart.

Thank you! Thank you!

T. Catalano and J. T. Catalano and J. EbertEbert

ShelfariShelfari - Room One - Room One by Andrew by Andrew Clements (3Clements (3rdrd grader) grader)

Roxie and the HooligansRoxie and the Hooligans by Phyllis by Phyllis Reynolds Naylor (4Reynolds Naylor (4thth grader) grader)

FeathersFeathers by Jacqueline Woodson (5 by Jacqueline Woodson (5thth grader)grader)

How to Steal a DogHow to Steal a Dog by Barbara by Barbara O’Connor (teacher review)O’Connor (teacher review)

Spotlighting our Reading Spotlighting our Reading WarriorsWarriors

Knightly News: WKE has a “news” Knightly News: WKE has a “news” show program that airs each morning show program that airs each morning at 7:40. Here we highlight some at 7:40. Here we highlight some Reading Warriors who have posted Reading Warriors who have posted reviews on Shelfari. We usually have reviews on Shelfari. We usually have them come to the media center after them come to the media center after the news show to get some sort of the news show to get some sort of prize: poster, book, bookmark, etc.prize: poster, book, bookmark, etc.

Gains we have made:Gains we have made:

We took names from Shelfari reviews We took names from Shelfari reviews and used their MAP data from Fall to and used their MAP data from Fall to Winter to see if these students have Winter to see if these students have increased in their MAP scores. We increased in their MAP scores. We found gains with most of those found gains with most of those students who have participated in our students who have participated in our Reading Warriors reading initiative. Reading Warriors reading initiative. Our average gain is 4.4 points from Fall Our average gain is 4.4 points from Fall to Winter. to Winter.

What We Are Visioning...What We Are Visioning...

That our students have created a love of learning That our students have created a love of learning for themselvesfor themselves

That our students enjoy readingThat our students enjoy reading That our students’ scores will strengthen due to That our students’ scores will strengthen due to

part of our Reading Warrior incentive programpart of our Reading Warrior incentive program

The more that you read, the more things you will The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places know. The more that you learn, the more places

you’ll go.you’ll go.-Dr. Seuss-Dr. Seuss

Readfest – March 21, 2009 Readfest – March 21, 2009 Lexington High SchoolLexington High School

10:00-1:0010:00-1:00

12-2-0812-2-08At this year's READ FEST on Saturday, March 21, there At this year's READ FEST on Saturday, March 21, there

will be a Book Award Bowlwill be a Book Award Bowl to test readers' knowledge of to test readers' knowledge of this year's SC Book Award Nominees!  Teams of 6 students this year's SC Book Award Nominees!  Teams of 6 students will compete with other schools, "Family Feud" style, will compete with other schools, "Family Feud" style, answering trivia about the books they've read collectively.  I answering trivia about the books they've read collectively.  I would love to have a team of our students participate in this would love to have a team of our students participate in this competition. We can have a run off if we have several competition. We can have a run off if we have several teachers/teams of students interested in participating.   The teachers/teams of students interested in participating.   The more nominees the students know, the better prepared they more nominees the students know, the better prepared they are to participate.  I'm looking for a team to participate in the are to participate.  I'm looking for a team to participate in the SC Children Book Award competition.  SC Children Book Award competition. 

Let me know if you'd like to be involved in this Let me know if you'd like to be involved in this exciting opportunity to encourage reading!  exciting opportunity to encourage reading! 

  Thanks!Thanks!TerriTerri