Seussville Literature Night
Elementary School
Two Sessions Available
PLANNING
The family literature night will be
centered around Dr. Seuss and the Read Across America idea (linked below). The
2020 Dr. Seuss day is on Monday, March 2nd, and should be held
accordingly. Literature night will take lots of work and you will need multiple
volunteers to get the job done. Explain to teachers, months in advance, what
you want to do, why you want to do it, and how many teachers you will
potentially need and the stations they could potentially be set up at.
Parents will need to RSVP, by age
group, by a certain day and time to ensure a seat. Because you can never be
sure how many will show, it is better to have a cut off limit before finding
out you can’t accept families in the night of. When the RSVP list is full, send
out weekly reminders until the event. I encourage you to send the RSVP list out
a month in advance to give parents time to plan. The Friday before the event,
send home handmade or computer printed Dr. Seuss invitations to the children
attending, giving a personal touch and reminder.
You, as the librarian, needs to
choose one book that you want to focus on for the night. If time allows, have
two separate literature night periods, one for K-2nd grade and a
later time for 3rd-5th graders. K-2nd grade
could be right after school and go on for an hour and a half while 3rd-5th
goes on right after for one and a half to two hours.
Books that you could potentially
read and complete activities on the night of literature night for younger
students (k-2nd grade):
- ABC An Amazing Alphabet Book and completing a scavenger hunt around the library for preset out items that match the alphabet, all library themed. Example: “B” is for biography, “C” is for computer, and so forth and so on.
- One Fish two fish red fish blue fish and a counting exercise in cooperation with a family fun work out.
Books that you could potentially
read and complete activities on the night of literature night for older
students (3rd-5th grade):
- Oh, the Places You’ll Go! and have students discuss where they want to go in the future. Give small stations for typical answers (teacher, doctor, police man, etc.) and another table or two for unique answers. Next, have them draw their future career and speak with other students around them about why they want to be that. Have parents share about their jobs and get everyone involved! I have seen cute ideas (link below) where parents have significant adults in their child’s life sign the book over the years and give it to them after graduation. Mention that tidbit to your parents, allowing for a gift/idea that will continue through the years.
- Green Eggs and Ham and you can make different colors of slime to create a green eggs and ham fake dinner. If funds and volunteers are available, consider making actual green eggs and ham! Or, if funds are an issue, bring a recipe card on how to make green eggs and ham at home. Obviously only using food dye, this is still a fun idea to send home with kids to complete after all is said and done.
Have facts and photos of Dr. Seuss
posted as well. Incorporate technology by using QR codes next to photos and
link them to pertinent websites (look below for examples). For example: show a
picture of Dr. Seuss as a child, scan the QR code, and have a short video,
screencast, or other interactive site to give information on him. This is a
great idea to use for time fillers and when people are first arriving. It gives
both parent and child the opportunity to use technology together, view the
library as a parent, and interact with one another and other families.
Have a few computers or tablets
set up with the Seussville website (linked below) on the games section, the
about the author section, and others, allowing students to jump from computer
to computer or maneuver through the pages themselves.
Depending on what you read, or if
you choose to have each teacher do something a little different, dress up as
characters in the book and encourage parents and students to do so too! If
someone comes without, allow them to visit a station and make something with
one of the teachers. Example: red and white hat, thing one and two pin ons,
etc.
PROMOTION
The
months leading up to March, spotlight an author in the library. Mention titles
they have written, why you as a librarian chose them, read one of their books,
whatever you can do to invite students to learn more and more about a new
author each month. When the end of February comes around, begin doing the same
thing for Dr. Seuss to allow students time to get a feel for his work. Dr.
Seuss is a very well-known author, so it should not be an issue getting kids
excited about the event. Have the library decorated with Seuss themed
decorations, either student-made or printed by you.
PREPARATIONS &
PROCEDURES
Teacher/Parent
Involvement: You will need eight to ten teacher volunteers to attend the
family literature night. Parents also need to be at the event to attend. Each
teacher will be in charge of making a poster to advertise on of Dr. Seuss’ books.
All of this needs to be done at least a week or two before the event to ensure
enough volunteers and posters. (3) While in the classroom, give teachers a few
Dr. Seuss options to read aloud with students, including activities and lesson
plans (linked below) to promote even more so. You want to make sure teachers
are not reading the book that will be on literature night.
Librarian
Involvement: Set up decorations of Dr. Seuss books in the upcoming weeks
and then change it to the teacher-made posters as the day comes closer. The
Friday before (if used during the 2020 event), close the library early to begin
the set up. Make room for rows of seating as well as small groups. Have a small
speech prepared about Dr. Seuss and is involvement in education (linked below)
and how he has changed reading over the years. Introduce the Theodor Seuss
Geisel Award and a few other books of note.
Night
Of: Librarian greets guests, has them sign in, and gives out name tags.
After guests are seated, introductions are made. Introduce the librarian, the
idea of what is going on in more depth, give out a handout of QR codes that
have the Dr. Seuss website (linked below), and talk about the book that is
going to be read. Have teachers set up at stations to explain what is going
on/available that evening. For example: QR stations, sign in stations, poster creation
stations, other Dr. Seuss book stations, and so forth and so on. Read the
chosen book as a whole and discuss afterwards. Depending on the age group and
book chosen, your activities will revolve around that and should begin right
after. The idea is to keep it interactive, fun, and energetic the entire night.
If
funds are available, (1) consider bringing in snacks and drinks to distribute
to parents and students. Since this is an after school event, encourage
everyone to eat beforehand, but have snacks and drinks as a back up. (2)
Purchasing a book for each attendee and allowing them to keep a copy and take
it home. If that is unavailable, encourage them to bring their own copy or
purchase one so that they can continue the fun at home, rereading a new
favorite. Look into discounts at book stores and offer that discount to parents
to purchase the book beforehand or the night of, using those funds for any
additional things you want to add in.
PAYOFF
Parental
involvement with their child. Since an adult/guardian/babysitter is required to
be with them, no matter who it is, the student is able to bond with their additional
attendee. Students at all ages need a bond with an adult to feel safe and
secure.
Increased literacy with students
via close read, using academic vocabulary and language, modeling reading, incorporation
of music and songs, and collaboration between families. Students also learn
about other authors in the months beforehand. Introduction of the Theodor Seuss
Geisel Award, allowing students to find an array of books they may enjoy.
Introduction of QR codes and using
them in the library to view Smore pages, screencasts, and other interactive
webpages. Use of technology on tablets, computers, or cell phones in the
library and that can be used later at home on their own time.
Books and ideas sent home with the
student to continue the fun. Example: book itself, a recipe card, a
game/activity, a list of websites, a list of other books by Dr. Seuss or on the
Giesel award, etc.
RELATED WEBSITES
Read Across America: https://www.readacrossamerica.org/
Dr. Seuss Interactive Webpage: https://www.seussville.com/
Information on March 2nd: https://www.daysoftheyear.com/days/dr-seuss-day/
Art of Dr. Seuss: https://www.drseussart.com/
Britannica Biography: https://www.britannica.com/biography/Dr-Seuss
Additional Interactive Webpage: https://www.seussinspringfield.org/
Changing America/New Yorker Article: https://www.newyorker.com/books/under-review/how-dr-seuss-found-himself-at-the-forefront-of-a-debate-over-education-in-america
Theodor Seuss Geisel Award: http://www.ala.org/alsc/awardsgrants/bookmedia/geiselaward
Graduation Gift/Oh! the Places You’ll Go: https://www.mamacheaps.com/every-year-have-your-childs-teachers-sign-the-book-oh-the-places-youll-go-by-dr-seuss-give-it-as-a-high-school-graduation-gift/
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