building a... better? summer reading

BUILDING A…BETTER? SUMMER READINGS Bryce KozlaFocus InstituteSeptember 27, 2016

PINTEREST http://bit.ly/ORSRP17

SUMMER READING LOGS

Los Alamos County Library System (NM)

La Crosse Public Library (WI)

Gretna Public Library (NE)

• Less stress for staff

• Visual representation of participation

• Few complaints about the lack of tchotchkes

LPL’S SUMMER READING GAMEBenefits:-choice and autonomy for kids

-suggestions give kids new ideas for reading and playing

-encouraged family involvement

-they could do everything at the library!

-easier on staff

ACTIVITY TIME!Make a game card

Possible activity ideas:-Read 93 separate squares)-Write/Draw (+Doodle)-Play/Do (+Build)-Find It Out-Library Program

SUMMER READING PROMOTION Meet them where they are

Get them to come to the library

(this is POWERFUL stuff!)

HOW TO GET TO THE KIDS? Teacher buy-in:

Ask for 15 min at each grade level TOPS

Ask for three dates/times, make one of them work

If possible communicate through the LMC

15 MIN PITCH: SOME THINGS TO TRY Talk TO the kids: no 4th wall

BRAIN DRAIN: The library can solve it!

2-3 things you want them to do: repeat them and make THE KIDS repeat them

ACTIVITY: YOUR PITCH (10 MIN) What problem does your Summer Reading

Program solve for kids?

What 2-3 things do you want them to remember?

What else could you say about the library to pump them up?

NOW YOU’VE DONE IT.THEY’RE COMING FOR YOU.

SOUNDS LIKE WE NEED SOME

Iron FistChild Management

HERE IS THE BOAT AT LA CROSSE PUBLIC LIBRARY.

• 23 year old memorial

•Steel sides

•Reward for “being caught reading” on it

The goal was to get kids to read on the Boat.

Why weren’t we successful?

REWARDING FOR EXPECTED BEHAVIOR Everyone likes being rewarded, right?

…is it a chore?

Children weren’t reading….

They were WAITING to “GET CAUGHT”(when they didn’t fast enough?)

You can’t assume anyoneTo know anythingYou didn’t teach themyourself.--kind of a mix between Brunerand Vygotsky

THE QUESTION:

How do we set the kids upfor success?

1. Rename the Boat.2. Make clear rules.

THE ANSWER:

How do we make non-arbitrary rules?

MANAGING THE SPACE: ADULTS

MANAGING SPACE: CHILDREN

ONE ESSENTIAL PART OF RULES:

How EXACTLY a child can meet your expectations

(AS SOON AS they meet them, say thanks)

1. Empower children to use the library effectively

2. Create a welcoming environment for kids

3. Ensure more positive interactions for you

SETTING CLEAR EXPECTATIONS WILL:

SETTING UP YOUR SPACE FOR SUCCESS Take a look around and ask yourself the

following questions:1. Entering the Children’s area, what do I want

a child to gravitate toward? MAKE THIS SHINY

2. Looking around the Children’s area, is there anything a child could do to destroy something completely irreplaceable? REMOVE THIS THING

SETTING YOUR SPACE UP FOR SUCCESS

PASSIVE PROGRAMMING

to the rescue!

CHECK OUT CLUBS

STORY ACTION POD

Crowd-sourced displays

Your personal amusement

IN-ROOM DIY SCAVENGER HUNT

…WHEREVER THERE’S ROOM!

DISPLAYS AS PASSIVE PROGRAMMING

BOOK BUNDLES

SRP DECORATING PARTY!

Contact me!S Bryce Kozlabrycek@wccls.orghttp://brycedontplay.blogspot.com/

Pinterest page:

http://bit.ly/ORSRP17