It's Wednesday!

It's Wednesday!  That means the first week of the new school year is half over.  It also means I have some half-formed impressions :-)

First, my kids are excited to be back.  Sure some of them are hanging their heads and shuffling their feet and slumping along but if you look closely you can see that little spark in their eyes that is a flicker of excitement with a tinge of nervousness about what the new year has in store for them.

Next,  they are still up to their same old tricks.  The same kiddos are still trying to jump down the hallway stairs and leap high to touch the exit signs.  A whole new crop is lingering by the fish tank sneaking sideways glances to see if anyone is watching them as they stand there for just a few more minutes longer than they should.

Finally, they read a lot more this summer than the data will reflect.  You see, I always ask for a show of hands for the following things:
1) Who participated in SNEAKS this summer?
2) Who read for Edgemere's Summer Reading log?
3) Who read a good book this summer that they want to share?

Here's the thing.  The number of hands that went up for number 1 and 2 were minimal.  I would say about 3-5 students per class on average.  (I hope to get some more solid numbers from my administration Friday.)  But, when I ask about books they read this summer, the hands fly up.  On average, 75-80% of the students in each class have at least one title they want to share.  Sometimes they can't remember the title but they can tell me the entire plot.  Sometimes they know part of the title or just the series or just the author.  (As they are sharing, I am jotting down little notes about the titles and listening to other students who are chiming in agreeing that they have read that book or a similar book.) 

So where is the disconnect coming from? Clearly my kids are reading during the summer.  Clearly they are enjoying it.  Clearly they are comprehending it.  So why aren't they participating in the summer reading incentive programs?  What is preventing them from visiting the public library to be part of the SNEAKS program?  Is it transportation? If so, that does not explain why they are not participating in the school-wide reading program.  Is it lack of interest?  If so, why?

As I look at the kids who are reading, it isn't just the ones that are assumed to be readers.  It is a cross section of abilities.  In fact, some of the "strong" students readily admit to not reading anything during the summer as do some of those "one the fence" students who could benefit from the extra boost summer reading offers.

Hmmmm....perplexing.

SNEAKS Summer Reading Program

Summer is SNEAKing up on us and yesterday was the launch of our summer reading initiative.  IN our district, we work closely with the Baltimore County Public Library to help stop that "summer slump" our students might fall into during those lazy hazy days of summer.

Although our weather has been chilly, struggling to reach the 70's for most of this week, and rainy, that could not dampen the spirits of my students because they love SNEAKS.  There is just something about a large dressed up cat that makes them smile.  The public librarians come and talk about the special summer program offerings, share the prizes that can be earned through reading and SNEAKS makes a special appearance. 

This year's theme: "Every Hero Has A Story" is one of my favorites so far.



So we ended our day with our SNEAKS kickoff assembly and I will spend the next week using library time to sign up my students and talk up the program and also show them how to access ebooks on our Destiny system.  I think that is a great way to spend the last FULL week of school, don't you?

And just check out this super cool reading display made by Erin McElwee, LMS at Charlesmont Elementary School, for her summer reading kickoff!  I just absolutely LOVE it!  Thanks for letting me share it Erin because I just know it is going to inspire some other librarians!