WELCOME TO DAY FOUR OF CAMP CREATIVE

Today we're talking about fun extras that can help complement the solid center of your choice reading program. So far we've covered building a library, running a First Chapter Friday program, sharing book talks, and carving out time for independent reading and check-ins in class. 

Today we'll add: 

• Introducing new book titles to your students through a book tasting (online or off)
• Drumming up interest in books through bulletin boards
• Adding an element of competition and fun with reading contests, games, and certificates

For a classroom transformation book tasting, arrange the seating in your classroom to resemble a coffee shop or cafe. If you can, add tablecloths or tiny vases of flowers. On each makeshift table, put several books. If possible, bring in refreshments - hot water and cocoa packets, donuts, tea, fruit, cookies, whatever works. 

Give students a copy of this book tasting guide, and have them wander from table to table, sipping their beverage and "tasting" the books by peeking at the back covers, browsing the first few pages, etc. By the end of your tasting, they should have several new books on their TBR list, and be a lot more familiar with your library. 

For a digital book tasting, the goal is also to introduce students to a wide variety of books and help them to discover new possibilities for their TBR list.

On each slide of your virtual tasting deck, include a screenshot of the book, as well as links out to trailers, related videos, book reviews, or anything else you think would help your students decide whether or not they'd like to read the books.

Then let your students scroll through the slides, examining the books and reviews, and creating a list of possible reads. In this slide deck,  you'll find four possible template options for your virtual book tasting. Simply cut and paste your favorite to use over and over with different books. 

Another fun way to draw attention to reading in your classroom is through small elements of challenge or competition.

Here are a few ideas to get started:

Reading Bingo: Put a bingo card out with various reading challenges (like the editable one you can download below). Offer some kind of fun prize for kids who get a bingo.

Break Reading Challenges: Over long weekends or breaks, offer a challenge to read a certain type of genre, a certain book, or just any book. Let kids know they can stop by to see you the day after break to tell you about their read and claim a small prize (like a homemade brownie).

Reading Certificates: As part of your choice reading program, consider offering certificates when kids read a certain number of pages. I've had success with ceremoniously inducting kids into the "1000 Page Club" (download below). It doesn't matter whether they are reading books you might consider "easy" or "hard," just that they're reading.

Tomorrow, on day five, we'll be talking about assessment options that can help give your reading program momentum and consistency without alienating student readers. Be sure to check your inbox!