What’s Next: Upcoming Events
Part of the program is to bring reading to life across different mediums. A number of events are planned through the end of the 2011-2012 school year. Upcoming events include:
January 23-27, 2012 – One Book, One Grade, One Community
“One Book, One Grade, One Community” is a new community-wide event where students in grade levels 3, 4 and 5 read and receive the same age-appropriate book. Program books include:
Grade 3 – The End of the Beginning, by Avi
Grade 4 – Cat Diaries: Secret Writings of the MEOW Society, by Betsy Byars
Grade 5 – Dear Mr. Henshaw, by Beverly Cleary
February 16, 2012 – Author Visit: Richard Allington
The community will have an opportunity to hear Dr. Richard Allington, an expert in educating teachers on the best methods to teach reading. Allington has written more than 100 research articles and a number of books on this topic including Classrooms that Work: They Can All Read and Write. During his visit, Dr. Allington will speak to both educators and parents.
March 2, 2012 – Read Across America Day
The National Education Association’s (NEA) Read Across America Day, now in its 13th year, is a program focused on motivating children and teens to read. To support Read Across America Day, which coincides with Dr. Suess’ birthday, Racine Reads: Dream Big! will implement a volunteer program placing community and business leaders in every classroom throughout Racine.
March – Battle of the Books
Each year, the Racine Public Library coordinates a Battle of the Books literature contest for Racine’s fourth- and fifth-grade students. Teams are composed of up to four students representing area public and private schools. In preparing for the tournament, participants read and become knowledgeable about the content of approximately 40 books selected for the Battle by youth services librarians. Meets are held over a four-week period at the Library and highest scoring teams are declared the champions. To date, the Library has seen a 40 percent increase in the number of teams registered, which is a direct result of Racine Reads: Dream Big! because the teams are sponsored by teachers who haven’t participated before but are active in the Racine Reads program.
April 26-27, 2012 – Author Visit: Rosemary Wells
The author of the popular Max and Ruby children’s book series, Ms. Wells will be in Racine to meet with families during a free community presentation the evening of Thursday, April 26.
Racine Reads: Dream Big! Celebration
The program will officially culminate with a community-wide celebration at the end of the school year.
