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Greenwood Elementary School students on Monday, Nov. 13, started picking out books and other items to take home from the Scholastic Book Fair.
Greenwood Elementary Library Media Specialist Deena Jones said each student can purchase books up to $26 at the fair, thanks to the Innovative Literacy Grant. Jones said the grant only covers books, with some students purchasing from one to eight pieces of literature.
“It was so exciting seeing it; once they got their books … you’ll just be walking and the kids will be walking down the hall, and they have their personal books and they’ll be reading, or all the kids sitting in the car line are just engrossed in the book,” Jones said.
Jones said historical fiction, cookbooks, animal books, gaming, sports-related, and graphic novels are all popular among students this year at the book fair, which ends Nov. 16.
“It’s nice to see [graphic novels] because they are a really good way to get kids hooked on reading, especially boys,” Jones said.
Cameron Ballard, a Greenwood Elementary fifth-grade science teacher, said that from her perspective, the fair offers several options for science-related literature that they might not get at the site’s library.
“Some might not be able to find the book for them until there is a book fair,” Ballard said.
Ballard said a lot of books also include different materials, like shark teeth and rock collections, which helps get some kids interested in the subject.
“Not even just for my class, there are books up there about social studies,” Ballard said. “There’s an ‘I Survived’ book up there about the American Revolution in fifth grade – that’s something we talk about, so them getting that book helps out.”
Kelli Tibbetts, Greenwood Elementary counselor, said the book fair helps get books into the hands of each child.
“Of course, they can go buy a book at Walmart, but they are just not likely to do that,” Tibbetts said. “When parents know it is here, they are more likely to send money and let them pick it out here.”
On Nov. 14, Greenwood hosted a literacy night themed “Camp Learn S’more.” Jones said the literacy night offered a chance for parents to come into the school. Jones said the night featured food, the book fair, giveaways, a book walk, and various literacy-related activities for each grade.
Tibbetts said having the book fair tacked onto the literacy night helps to give families another opportunity to not only get excited about reading and writing, but to give the kids another chance to find a book.
Jones said the wide array of books allows students to find what’s right for them and will help them become lifelong readers.
“I think it gives those kids who have a difficult time reading other options that go along with reading, but are maybe not ready for a chapter book,” Tibbetts said. “That’s what is great, too. They have so many levels of books from itty-bitty pre-K level to even chapter books that high school and college kids would read, because we have some kids who can read that high.”
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