#griffinsread: the 2016-2017 Reading Journey

PPT: Creative Reading Programs and Activities for School Library Improvement

Library Improvement Workshop / Creative Reading Activities from Zarah Gagatiga

Why #griffinsread

We are now on the third week of our reading passport activity. Overall, there are twenty students who availed of the reading passport and so far, three have finished theirs. Soon, I will be posting their passports in the bulletin board for everyone to read.

What I find beneficial in the passports is the opportunity to know my high school readers better: why they read, how they read and what book they feel good at recommending to other readers. This is data that would help me improve my collection development program and readers advisory services. I learn from my students too. Their book choices amazes me! What I identified as a senior book was read by a freshman. Never judge a reader by his or her grade level. I think this sensitivity and perception to the varying reading choices of teens prompts me to offer books that will open readers to broad perspectives and world views.

From the photos, you can say that these students who participate in the activity are indeed readers. The avid ones!

It remains a challenge to inspire the reluctant readers to visit the library, pick a book and read.

Update on the 2014 Reading Challenge

One of the four teachers participating in the 2014 Reading Challenge has turned in her book review. 

The Elegance of the Hedgehogby Muriel Barbery 

I had heard about this book quite a bit in the past, so I was quite happy to have pulled it out of my book "can" before the long weekend.  

I have to admit, it took me a while to warm up to this story of a young girl and a concierge who live in a luxurious apartment building in Paris. I initially found both protagonists pretentious and perfect dictionary examples of reverse snobs.  

There was a bit of decent philosophical discussion happening in between their stories, which will make for fun pondering if you're into TOK. But otherwise, I only only began to enjoy this book when their mysterious Japanese neighbour arrives and you see another side to both women.  

The chapters are as light as a freshly baked croissant and are easily read over a plane ride or before visiting your dreams at night. It's also the kind of story that makes for fun discussions with others who've read it as well. 

As for me, I still have to read Bag of Bones by Stephen King as recommended by a grade 12 student. I'm in between two books now (on top of writing projects and library advocacy duties, I push myself to read fiction) so, I'll finish both then move on to Bag of Bones. To fulfill my promise, here's what the library is giving away for students who recommended books and for teachers who wrote a book review.

Reader, What Do You Want?

Of course I got freebies from the recently concluded Filipino ReaderCon. Books, bookmarks, stickers, book plates, recommendations and tons of ideas that I can use in the library to promote books and celebrate reading. One of these ideas is the post-it board that organizers of the ReaderCon set up in the hall.

I think it trumps down the very formal, very boring readers survey libraries conduct every year. There's nothing wrong with those surveys. It's not just hip enough. If you work in a high school library, you need to reinvent the wheel and WOW the teens a lot. So, last week, being a Friday, I set up our own post-it board in the library.

By mid-day, the upper part of the post-it board is starting to fill out. I am excited to collect and collate data taken from this survey. It will help me: a) determine the reading interest of our high school readers; b) review acquisition goals for the next academic year; c) design a more formative reading guidance attuned to their needs; d) propose a collection development budget that uses readers' feedback as context and basis for the proposal; e) plan activities that will further promote books and reading in the community.

It's not a fool proof survey but for the high school students to write answers to the questions makes their thinking visible. It is one of the many ways librarians can get to know readers better.

Library Reading Programs for Summer

 Sharing the introduction of the library's summer reading list here. My staff and I are coming up with a booklet, five pages in all, that has fiction, non-fiction, ebook titles recommended for teachers, students and their parents. Included in the booklet is a feedback form asking readers to send in their book reviews in exchange of a reading reward when school resumes in August.

Summer readingbooklet from Zarah Gagatiga

Apart from the recommended reads that the library will be releasing next week, there's also the Creativity Action Service activity that I'm spearheading for incoming Grade 12 students. I dubbed it as Summer Reading Circle. Here are the simple mechanics of the activity.

Summer Reading Circle: Participate and earn CAS points for Creativity

a. Incoming grade 12s borrow two books from the library over the long summer break.

b. Read the books and write a review. Reviews will be published in the school website, school newspaper or the library's blog. Well written reviews may be sent to a print or online magazine :-)

c. Reading Circle participants read the book reviews of their peers and post comments.

d. Librarian or teacher (volunteer) can conduct online discussions. Or, over the summer, meet up for face to face discussion.