Title 1 Nights @ the library

Each spring we hold a series of Title 1 nights for area schools as their final parent engagement event.  We use the summer reading theme and build a simple program around it.  Since this year's theme is "On Your Mark, Get Set, Read!" we choose to do an Olympic theme.

Some teachers bring snacks or even pizza or ice cream for the families--a good incentive for them to come!  Our most successful events were those held in the evening vs. the afternoon/after school.

Our program:

• Welcome
• Library Basics--how to get a card, how many things you can check out, read away fines, kinds of books (early readers, non-fiction, transitional, etc), and other library materials--DVDs, audio books
• Summer Reading Preview--what programs are coming up this summer and books links
• Read Aloud

Olympig!

The Triumphant Story of a Underdog

by Victoria Jamieson

• Activity--This year we played "The Best Game"  After dividing the group into 2 or more teams (depending on the size of the group) you ask the kids to send up the person on their team who is... (an ambiguous subject) such as: longest..., shortest..., brightest...

After each team has sent up their teammate you reveal the rest of it
The longest...hair
The shortest...name
The brightest...t-shirt
It takes a few rounds for the kids to catch on, but it was fun!

• Craft--We made Olympic medals using cardboard circles, aluminum foil, star stickers, and ribbon
• Book Display--a variety of books related to sports, including picture books, non-fiction, early readers, transitional books, and chapter books.

We had 10+ schools come for a Title 1 evening at the library throughout April, May, and June.