[Ms. J]

I recently had a Read In with my students to celebrate Children's Book Week. My third grade students really enjoyed the sustained silent reading time and enjoyed our mystery readers. I am debating whether or not to do some sort of Family Literacy Night or Read In one night before the holidays. Any simple ideas out there? My school does not have too many resources (multiple copies of books), so I was hoping something simple yet fun. I'd love to hear what you have done with your class or at your school! Thanks!

[URMySunshine]

Have you seen this site? It may give you some ideas.

http://www.hubbardscupboard.org/family_night.html

[judy]

This year we had a very successful literacy night at our school and it was really simple. We had a meeting in the auditorium of all the parents while the teacher did an interactive read aloud to the children. The parents then went to their classrooms. The teachers explained using mentor text in their reading and writing workshops. The teachers then read a mentor text which explicitly showed the font strategies that we want the children to pattern in their writing...such as speech bubbles, thought bubbles, text wrapping, bold print, sound words...etc......teachers pointed out these techniques during their reading. Various books that highlight the strategies you want to show were placed on the tables. The parent and child went on a scavenger hunt to find the various techniques. We had a little tea afterward in each classroom. I teach K and I thought it went so well in my room and there was not a lot of preparation for it.

[rmckenna]

We have a Christmas read in every year for my class. I have the students bring in their favorite books and a blanket. They do sustained silent reading while laying on their blanket on the floor. I also read some of my favorite holiday books to them. In order to make it "appropriate" for school, I have them work on some comprehension strategies, such as making fun book reports of their favorite books.

[judy]

I love your idea of a Christmas Read. Thank you so much for sharing it with us.