We had a very successful and fun reading/literacy night. Here's what we did: We called the night "Around the World in 90 minutes" (because it was an hour and 1/2 event); We had our Scholastic Book Fair up and running for families; we invited some local "celebrities, such as, the mayor, university basketball or football players, principal, fireman, policeman, etc. and asked them to read a book that we provided. Each book wwas a kids story based on another country around the world." Hence, "Around the World..." When families arrived, they could start at any stationed reader and every 10-15 minutes we would ring a bell and everyone would move one station clockwise. We told families that they could bring old books that were still in good condition to donate to the local homeless shelter (we got tons of books to donate!). We also had some giveaways that were randomly given to children. Each child and parent received a free bookmark, which was donated by Borders Bookstore in our town. It was a huge success. We think this year we might add "finger samples of food from each country at each station." This way the children and parents can really get into learning about other countries!
We have had very successful Literacy Nights. We do them both schoolwide and by grade level.
For the schoolwide nights, two teachers usually team up and pick a book and a relevant activity. We start with a meeting in the cafeteria (about ten minutes) and then everyone is dismissed to go to the class of their choice.
They are there about 20 minutes. We ring the bell and they go to a second classroom. The families get to choose which classrooms they want to go to, but the ones that have snack activites (The Hungry Caterpillar, Fried Worms, Meatball Trees, etc.) are very popular. This way if you have two children, you can do an age appropriate activity with each. This program started with a grant and was so successful that the PTO voted to keep it going.
For the grade specific nights, the teachers plan an activity to go with a specific book or theme. Kindergarten usually does a pajama party. First grade does a snowball fight. Second grade usually does an introduction to Accelerated Reader. Third and fourth changes.
PTO pays for refreshments, supplies, and pays each teacher involved $50 for classroom books (except the schoolwide night). PTO also pays for the books that are given away in the drawings. About 1/2 of the kids go away with a book. We have HUGE turnouts for these events.
Your timing is killing me. We're rolling out our next School Family Night -- Family Reading Night in partnership with Target -- this month, but the actual planning and marketing kit (step-by-steps, free posters, flyers, etc.) won't be available until January.
I love the "local celebrities" angle -- high school football quarterback, mayor, the entire cheerleading squad, the fire chief in uniform. Also like the idea of organizing a book swap for your event, so that everyone goes a home with a new (to them) book after your event.
We are planning on hosting a family reading night at our school in December. We have not done one before and are looking for advice. We have a couple ideas for directions that we could take it:
- Families come in and read books together throughout the school
- Bring in local people to read (mayor, superintendant, principle), etc and have them at stations and the kids can go to each.
