If you happen to be one of the people that work with me each day, then you know how a little over the top I can be when it comes to sharing books and getting kids excited to read. I love a great, obnoxious way to bring some excitement to a book that’s been looked over or forgotten about. In the grade levels that I work with, that tends to be picture books.
Students in 3rd through 5th grade are typically in the stage where they are becoming strong, confident readers and are devouring novels. Picture books have been put on the back burner as they now appear “babyish”.
One of my favorite things to do is get into our classrooms and share some of my favorite read alouds with our students. They all come join me on the carpet and it becomes so quiet, you can hear a pin drop. It’s the best part of being in a classroom.
I’ve been thinking about different ways to bring some new excitement to read alouds for the next school year, and I want to introduce….Book It Forward! I saw this idea at a conference a couple of years ago and had it tucked away in my “I’ll get to this eventually” folder. I guess a pandemic is the perfect time for me to get some things accomplished….
The idea is simple…..pick one of your favorite picture books and stick two of these printable bookmarks inside: one for them and one for them to pass on. Sneak into someone’s classroom and leave the book somewhere where they will easily find it. That teacher will read it out aloud and return the book to you. Then, they’ll use the second bookmark and “book it forward” to another teacher.
Easy peasy! My hope is to bring this new idea to my school next school year….although I’m not sure if covid will allow us to be swapping books….
Either way….I’m ready to continue to share the excitement of picture books throughout my school. River Valley staff….get excited!!
Windy City Literacy 