Wednesday, June 26, 2013

Book Drive at Elitch Gardens




On Friday, June 28, 10 a.m. - 3 p.m., the Denver Public Library and Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park are celebrating Summer of Reading with a book drive and special discounted park admission. Guests who bring a donation of a new children's book to the Reading Rocket Bookmobile at the entrance of Elitch Gardens will receive $12 off Main Gate admission - Elitch Gardens best discount offered - to enjoy a full day of rides and entertainment on June 28. Families will also be able to sign-up for the Summer of Reading program at the Bookmobile parked near Elitch Gardens' Front Gate, as well as on Main Street by the Big Wheel.

Elitch Gardens Theme and Water Park has proudly partnered with the Denver Public Library for over 20 years. Each year, Elitch Gardens generously donates more than 20,000 free admission tickets, which are given as one of the many prizes families can earn throughout the Summer of Reading program.

DETAILS
What:             Denver Public Library's Summer of Reading Book Drive
Where:           Elitch Gardens Theme & Water Park
                      2000 Elitch Circle, Denver, CO 80204
When:            Friday, June 28, 2012
Event Time:   10 a.m. - 3 p.m.
                      Park is open until 8 p.m.
URL:               www.summerofreading.org
                       www.elitchgardens.com 

About Summer of Reading
Denver Public Library's Summer of Reading Program provides free summer activities, suggestions for summer reading, and cool incentives for all ages. It's a fun and easy way to incorporate reading and related activities into summer family time. Visit us at summerofreading.org or any of our 25 locations to learn more.

About Elitch Gardens
Elitch Gardens is America's only Downtown Theme and Water Park. Since 1890, visitors have been creating memories worth repeating right in the heart of Denver. The park is open May 4 through October 27 with 53 rides, live entertainment, thrilling roller coasters, and an entire water park. Guests can enjoy all the rides, slides and shows at Elitch Gardens, all season long, with an Economy Season Pass now available for $79.99 or a Premium Season Pass for just $89.99 including added perks like free Season Parking and three free tickets for friends. Visit elitchgardens.com for more info and to purchase tickets.   

Wednesday, June 5, 2013

School Summer Reading Program

I think I was a Librarian in another life.

A strange calm comes over me whenever I'm in a book store or library and I become giddy when I buy a new book.  The feeling I can't seem to control is my urgency to finish a book so that I can move on the next one.  So many books!  So little time!

I need to find a job where I read for a living.  Oh wait...I already have that job.  What I meant was, I need to find a paying job that lets me read.  That's a dream job right there!

Several months ago, I discovered that the Summer Learning Chair in my PTA was vacant. I know first hand how important it is to keep the kids engaged over the summer.  The Summer Slide is a real problem and I could see it being an even bigger problem in our extremely rigorous school.  The kids work so hard all school year, it'd be a shame for them to lose ground over the summer.

I formed a committee of other Kindergarten Moms that are as passionate about our school as I am.  We planned a number of things...the sale of Summer Bridge Books, Summer Field Trips and my favorite part; a Summer Reading Program!

We picked a theme: Books Are a Hidden Treasure.  This theme for our first Summer Reading Program was special to me because our principal calls our kids treasures, so it seemed appropriate.  I had posters made and I was so excited when I found a pirate cut out that looks remarkably like our principal!  The kids loved having their pictures taken with Pirate Curtis.


Students were asked to sign up for the reading program by filling out a slip and returning it to the office.  When they did this they would receive a packet that contains a reading log, a suggested reading list compiled by their teacher, the PTA and the librarian, a pencil, bookmark, gold coin and a sticker.  All of the goodies and bags were purchased at Oriental Trading Co.

Students are asked to track their daily minutes of reading on their log (K-3rd grade can count minutes of being read to by an adult).  They can also log their weekly minutes on the PTA website and having a friendly competition with their classmates!  Students that turn in their completed log sheets during the first week of school will be invited to an ice cream party during school and will be eligible for a drawing to win a Kindle.  Top readers in each grade will win Barnes and Noble gift cards.

I was so excited when 245 students signed up for our reading program!  I loved delivering the pirate bags and hearing the kids so happy about what was in their goodie bag.  I hope it encourages them to read all summer and turn in their logs.

I think I'll dress up like a pirate for the ice cream party!

Does your school have a Summer Reading Program?




Saturday, June 1, 2013

On Hold: Children's Summer Reading List

Disclaimer: This post contains affiliate links.

Yesterday was our first day of Summer Vacation!

No more pencils no more booksNo more teacher's dirty looksOut for summerOut till fallWe might not come back at allSchool's out foreverSchool's out for summerSchool's out with feverSchool's out completely

My son's teacher made a slide show that we watched in the classroom for Kindergarten Graduation and she used the Alice Cooper song in it.  You've got to love a teacher that does that!  It was also funny to see how many of us 'older parents' knew all of the words and sang along! 


My kids and I spent our first day of break at the book store picking out a few books.  My son is obsessed with Annie and Jack so we got two more of those and I found a cool book that I we'll read during storytime (4pm each day).  


What?  You don't have story time at your house?  Why not?


Here are a few books that we're checking out from the library this summer!




The Day the Crayons Quit by Drew Daywalt (Released June 27, 2013)





The Dark by Lemony Snicket


Again! by Emily Gravett



The School for Good and Evil by Soman Chainani (for story time)



What do you have Oh Hold at the library this summer?