Book Access: Yes They Can!

Hi Friends!

This is two of two posts on book access.  My hope is to inspire the communities who might have humble resources to support their communities. 

This winter/spring I read these two books:




Meanwhile, on social media, I saw the coolest thing!
You can read about Colby Sharp's 1800 dollar book grant and project here.  I was cheering this on from the middle of the Midwest.  And I wanted to do it too! 

Minor detail.  I didn't have 1800 dollars.  Or any dollars really.

However, in the spirit of looking at what I did have, I had bonus points.  You know, from our beloved book orders!

So, I turned those over to the kids.  Yes, they can choose books. I gave them flyers to look at.  They circled what they wanted.  We talked about why.  I placed an order.  And we ended up with a few of these titles:

 
This isn't the only "sports" book we ordered.  I also ordered books on gymnastics, soccer, ballet.  It was this year's class that informed me I didn't have any sports books.  (And they were right!)  So we ordered some.


 A nonfiction read on Llamas.  I have many books on animals, but one voracious reader found one on llamas for me!




Of course, we would have ordered another round of Elephant and Piggie.  But I have multiple copies of many titles there.  So the kids had an opportunity to discover Jan Thomas!  And they love her.

What I've learned and been reminded of as we end this school year, is that book access is for everyone.  As a teacher, I can make that happen with a little creativity and commitment. 

What is your favorite (and cost-effective) way to ensure book access?

Joy!
Kendra

Book Access: Join Us!

Hi Friends!

This is one of two posts on book access.  My hope is to inspire the communities who might have humble resources to support their communities. 

This winter/spring I read these two books:




If you haven't read them, I highly recommend you do! 

These two reads re-ignited a passion for the book access that is at the core of who I am.  The crazy notion that kids (and teachers and community members) need access to lots of books, everyday. 

Enter my Super Colleague, Sue who has also read these books.  We put our heads together this spring and came up with the crazy idea that maybe our school's summer reading log had finally run its course.  It was time to move on from the school wide summer reading log, and try something new! 

Born was:  Books on the Lawn. 
To support reading in the summer in our school and neighborhood community, we have worked on the following framework:

1.  Meet us on the lawn of our school at the scheduled dates and times.  These dates and times happen to coincide with summer care pick up times, Vacation Bible School pick up times, and Back to school times. 

2.  Pick out some books that you would like to read.  Take them with you. 

3.  If you have some books to exchange with us, that would be great.  If not, come see us anyway and take some books to read! 

4.  Free Chipotle?  Well.  Yes.  If you know me, this is also very exciting.  #burritobowls.  Also, our families can be served by an opportunity to receive a free meal. 

Here is an example of the bookmark that we sent home with students for the summer:

(I'm not a graphic artist by any means. Please be nice.)

How are we obtaining books to give away?

We started with a collection that we had donated to us when we launched our Free Little Library.  As teachers and families are weeding their collections, we are taking donations.  Sue and I are scouring sales.  As I sit in the rural Midwest this morning, I am sitting on a stack of Gordon Korman books I picked up for 1.25 at a consignment store.  

As I dream about this, I envision it growing by leaps and bounds.  (Free books and free food would serve our community well.)  The idea of giving the books away as summer goes on, as well as free food, would have the potential to support many families.  

But today, two teachers and their super colleagues at school are off on a humble mission to increase book access for our students and our community.  What does summer reading look like in your community?

Tomorrow (or Saturday), I'll write about how reading these two books impacted book access in my classroom.  

Joy!
Kendra