26 in 26

Last year I did "25 in 25" as an experiment. It was so successful that this year it's "26 in 26" as a way of introducing 26 new library books and getting each one read at least once in the month of January. Here's the way it works:  I began by wrapping the 26 new books in penguin wrapping paper. I actually bought the books before Christmas, most of them from our Story Glory Book Fair, and a few that I had been wanting from Amazon.

 When the kids returned from Christmas Break, all of the books were wrapped and under a Christmas tree. (This was to get them excited.) As I met with each class, I told them about the books. For grades TK - 2nd, each class received one wrapped book. The teacher opened it in front of the class and read it to them. For the upper grades, I selected two books/class. I discussed with the kids what would be expected of them, should they be chosen to be the first-reader of a book. They would have to agree to complete the book by January 30th and tell me why they did/didn't like the book. After the discussion, I drew names, only including the kids who wanted a chance. The kids whose names were drawn got to unwrap the book and be the first to check it out. (It was obviously also our traditional first day back pajama day!)

The next part of the activity was to keep them excited about the books. For that, I created a "26 in 26" bulletin board. Each time a book is returned to me, I add a penguin to the bulletin board. I also place the book in a special "Penguin Book Box." Additional checkouts/reads/returns receive snowflakes on the bulletin board. This year I also added quotes and thoughts about the books alongside the bulletin board. If we get 26 penguins on the board by January 30th, every student in the school will receive a penguin sticker.

It is so funny to hear the kindergartners come by and tell me how many penguins are up on the board. Today a 5th grader told me and included how many we still had left to go. 

                                         A kindergarten class gives their new book 2 thumbs up!

I love this project and that it builds excitement about new books and reading. It is also giving me a better idea about what kinds of books the kids like. I tried to be very discriminating in the books I chose and was also careful not to select any that were too lengthy to be read in a month by the older kids. It's a fun way to incorporate excitement into the doldrums of January also!