Motivating Readers in the Library and the Classroom
Modeling Whatever you want a child to do, you have to do it. Anyone who works with children knows that we are facing huge distractions today, not only is television omnipresent, but endless after school activities, school homework, fill up their lives. This work book is about making reading, words, literature fun and exciting. The first key to this is that you have to be excited. I encourage you to get caught reading. Have you ever walked up to someone and caught them deep in a book. I defy you not to ask, “Excuse me, what are you reading?” Let children catch you reading. If you take a break to have a read, do it in a place where they can see you.
What are you reading these days? Ask a child what they are reading Do this a lot. When I was young I craved for discussions about books. I loved to read but it was not cool to admit this to my friends. I treasured those people, usually grown ups, who took an interest in my reading.
Creating an Environment:
Children love safe and comfy places to read. Some love to crawl in under things. I know that space is always at a premium but you might set aside one location in your room or your library where children are free to read. Bean bag chairs work quite well. Maybe put up some material as an awning. This might be the time to tap a grand ma or grandpa. Just ask about, someone who is handy who might come in and create some simple structure for you to use.
A New Look at Displays Displays: There are seasonal displays but you might also try different displays. You may put out a collection of books and let children write reviews on them. Have a little drawer next to the books and children are free to write their comments.
Message Board – I was here where were you? Learning to Read is huge and exciting. You might set aside a place where you can write daily messages and “Special Announcements.” Maybe you can borrow the idea from conventions where you set up a message board and people can leave announcements for each other. Once it is there I am sure people will use it. You might encourage parents while their children are looking for books to leave a message. It’s fun and another way to encourage reading.
The Neverending Story In a ring binder in the library you might post a story. You may limit it to one sentence each or maybe a paragraph. Post the story and let visitors read what is written and post one more sentence.
Poetry and/or Story Corner: Librarians, you might designate a corner of your library as a performance space. Visitors are free to go there and read a picture book or a poem. This will require only a chair and a sign and the lightest little bell. The librarian rings the bell when someone wishes to perform a story and folks are free to gather and listen. If this proves too chaotic then you might set certain times for this activity to take place.
Simple Activities
Who Am I? For those of you with a theatrical bent, you might dress in costume one day. The costume can be quite simple. The key is in what you talk about. You lay hints as to your identity by telling bits of your story just as oh by the way comments and tossing in bits of your story as you work. Children have to write your name on a slip of paper and if they guess correctly then they get a friendship pin. You will need to know the stories well and I would suggest you select a minor character so that the guessing can become more delicious.
Possible Characters and costume:
Madame Curie – a lab coat Amelia Earhart or Lindbergh – a flying helmet Albert Schweitzer or Livingston – A pith helmet A robe – The professor in Harry Potter A house dress – the mom in Charlotte’s Web
Quick Bits: If you are working at the counter or you only see children for brief periods of time you will want to have quick little bits. There are two favorites: Riddles and Strange facts. Books of both can be found in any library. You might want to have a book of each up by your desk and always be ready with at least one new riddle or one new strange fact each day.
Literary Scavenger Hunts The scavenger hunts have been built as a passive way to get children to use the library. In the next several pages you will find a number of scavenger worksheets including scavenger hunts based on book collections: Caldecott Winners and Newbury Winners; Holidays: Halloween; Specific novels: Tom Sawyer and A Wrinkle in Time; and reference books: the encyclopedia These worksheets can be displayed or kept in a file and if a child wants to accept the challenge give them the sheet. You need to do nothing. When the children bring you the completed sheet you will want to provide some sort of award: it could be a book mark or a friendship pin.
Creating such worksheets is relatively simple.
Decide how many questions you want to include in your “Hunt” Select a few words that contain that many letters. Create a list of questions that can only be answered by reading the book or the collection. Play with the answers making sure that one letter from each answer corresponds with a letter in the secret word. (This is actually easier than it looks.)
NOTE: You will be able to use your scavenger hunts year after year.
The Encyclopedia Scavenger Hunt Clue Sheet
In Florida, it is said to be the First city founded in America. _____________________ Last letter is the first letter of the word.
He moved to Arles in France in 1888 and painted many pictures there. _______________________. Third letter from the end is the seventh letter.
The Greek battle over the Persians in 490 BC and an Olympic event. _____________________. The last letter is the second letter of the word.
A sculptor he lived in Florence, Italy and carved The David. _______________________ The third letter is the third letter of the word.
This country has the second greatest population in the world? ____________________ The third letter is the tenth letter of the word.
The Rocky Mountain State? ________________ The second letter is the fourth letter.
The largest city in Germany? ______________ Second letter is the first letter word.
A famous Mongol chief. ________________ The next to last letter is the last letter.
The twelfth president of the United States. ________________ The Third letter is the fifth letter of the word.
Most advanced species of cold blooded animals? ______________ The third letter is the eighth letter of the word.
Canada’s newest province. ______________ The ninth letter is the sixth letter of the word.
The Challenge Word – _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _ _
Encyclopedia Scavenger Hunt Answer Key
In Florida, it is said to be the First city founded in America. St. Augustine.
He moved to Arles in France in 1888 and painted many pictures there. Vincent Van Gogh
The Greek battle over the Persians in 490 BC and an Olympic event. Marathon
A sculptor he lived in Florence, Italy and carved The David. Michelangelo
This country has the second greatest population in the world? India
The Rocky Mountain State? Wyoming
The largest city in Germany? Berlin
A famous Mongol chief. Genghis Khan
The twelfth president of the United States. Zachary Taylor
She won the Nobel Prize in both Physics (1901) and Chemistry (1911) Madame Curie
Most advanced species of cold blooded animals? Reptiles
Canada’s newest province. Newfoundland
The Challenge Word – ENCYCLOPEDIA
Tom Sawyer Scavenger Hunt Questions
What does Huckleberry Finn have with him the first time he meets Tom in the Novel? __________________________________________. Second Letter of second word is the second letter of the clue.
What event does Tom attend when he hears people talking about him? ____________________________________________ Third letter of the clue is the third letter of the word.
Where do they run off to? _____________________________ Seventh letter of the first word is the fourth letter of the word.
Real name of the man who Wrote the book? ________________________. Third letter of the second word is the final letter.
Name of the River? ________________________________ Second letter is the fifth letter.
Name of the Cave? ______________________________ Letter seven is letter two.
What does Tom swap for a yaller ticket? _____________________________ Last letter first word is the first letter.
What do Pirates say when they meet? ________________________________ First letter is sixth letter
_______ _
Tom Sawyer Scavenger Hunt Answer Key
What does Huckleberry Finn have with him the first time he meets Tom in the Novel? DEAD CAT Second Letter of second word is the second letter of the clue.
What event does Tom attend when he hears people talking about him? FUNERAL Third letter of the clue is the third letter of the word.
Where do they run off to? JACKSON’S ISLAND Seventh letter of the first word is the fourth letter of the word.
Real name of the man who wrote the book? SAMUEL CLEMENS. Second letter of the second word is the final letter.
Name of the River? MISSISSIPPI Second letter is the fifth letter.
Name of the Cave? McDOUGAL’S Letter seven is letter seven.
What does Tom swap for a yaller ticket? LICKERISH AND A FISH HOOK Last letter first word is the first letter.
What do Pirates say when they meet? BLOOD First letter is sixth letter
Hannibal
A Wrinkle in Time Scavenger Hunt Questions
What does the Man with Red Eyes want Charles Wallace to say along with him?_________________________ The Second letter is the second letter.
The planet where they meet the things? ____________________ Fifth letter is the second letter of the second word
What does Mrs. Who wear? __________________ Third letter is first letter
What does the food taste like? _______________ Third Letter Is Third Letter
What does Mrs. Whatzit need to take off before she eats? ____________. Fifth letter is fourth letter of second word.
What is the fifth dimension? __________________ Last letter is last letter.
What play does Mrs. Who like? __________________Last letter is fourth letter.
Boy who goes along on the adventure? ____________ Second letter is third letter of second word.
What name does Meg give the creature who takes care of her? ___________ The fifth letter is the fifth letter.
____    _____
A Wrinkle in Time Scavenger Hunt Answer Key
What does the Man with Red Eyes want Charles Wallace to say along with him? MULTIPLICATION TABLES. The Second letter is the second letter.
The planet where they meet the things? IXCHEL Fifth letter is the second letter of the second word
What does Mrs. Who wear? GLASSES Third letter is first letter
What does the food taste like? SAND Third Letter Is Third Letter
What does Mrs. Whatzit need to take off before she eats? BOOTS . Fifth letter is fourth letter of second word.
What is the fifth dimension? TESSERACT Last letter is last letter.
What play does Mrs. Who like? THE TEMPEST Last letter is fourth letter.
Boy who goes along on the adventure? CALVIN Second letter is third letter of second word.
What name does Meg give the creature who takes care of her? AUNT BEAST The fifth letter is the fifth letter.
AUNT BEAST
Charlotte’s Web Scavenger Hunt Questions
What does the label on the shirt say? _____________ Last letter is last letter
What does Wilbur like best in the barn besides Charlotte? ____________________ Second letter is second letter of second word.
What kind of spider is Charlotte? __________________ Third letter is first letter
What is the first message written on the web? _____________ Last letter is third letter
Who does Mrs. Arable go to visit about Fern? ___________________ Third letter is third letter of the second word.
What does Charlotte spin her web with? _______________ First letter is first letter of second word.
What does Templeton tie to Wilbur’s tail? _______________. Last letter is second letter
___    ____
Charlotte’s Web Scavenger Hunt Answer Key
What does the label on the shirt say? Preshrunk Last letter is last letter
What does Wilbur like best in the barn besides Charlotte? Manure pile Second letter is second letter of second word.
What kind of spider is Charlotte? Grey. Third letter is first letter
What is the first message written on the web? Some pig, Last letter is third letter
Who does Mrs. Arable go to visit about Fern? Doctor Dorian Third letter is third letter of the second word.
What does Charlotte spin her web with? Spinneret First letter is first letter of second word.
What does Templeton tie to Wilbur’s tail? String. Last letter is second letter
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