Starting at my thrid school as principal this year, I wanted to try this. I went to target and got a cheap book shelf and some decorations. I spent about 30 minutes setting it up and decorating it. I also ordered 300 books during the Scholastic 50 books for $50 sale. I used Principal funds for the book purchase.
Then, it was trying to figure out how to get kids in. On their birthday, once a month for the whole month, once a week for the week, etc. The beginning of the new year got away from me and then I realized it was August 31. I went around and gathered 40 plus students to give them a book. It was magical. Books were spread out all over my floor. There was reading, thinking, sharing, talking, and laughing happening. It was priceless.
This month, I am going to try passing out the books a different way. I am putting birthday bookmarks in the teacher boxes the night before the birthday. Then, the teacher knows to send the student down when they have a moment to get their book. We will see how this works.
Each student went home with a book of their choosing. There was a little boy, A, is 3rd grade. He really wanted this scary book. I tried to talk him out of it because I was concerned that the content was too old for him.
About a week later it was Back to school night. A's mom came up to me and told me who she was. She shared that A has never wanted to read until I gave him a book. The book is scary for him, so they read in the morning before school. He loves it. She also told me she hadn't read to/with him since 1st grade and it was something she enjoyed.
That conversation filled my heart! I was floating in the stars the rest of the night. Even on those days where is feels like all I did was put out fires, the book shelf is in my office reminding me of A's story and how many others need that love of books to be unlocked for them.
