Winter Break Marshmallow Reading Challenge
Post date: Dec 16, 2015 8:41:46 PM
Just because school's on break for several days, does not mean students should take a break from reading! Reading is such an important skill, so we need to maintain good reading habits -- even on break. So I did some searching and found a fun way to motivate students to read over the holidays--the Winter Break Marshmallow Reading Challenge!**
Go to this link for the papers if you did not receive yours from school (sent home Friday, December 18, Monday, December 21, or Tuesday, December 22).
Directions:
1. Each elementary school has a reading goal for winter break.
- For Grant Elementary, each marshmallow equals 15 minutes of reading. So the overall goal for a Grant student is 150 minutes of reading during winter break.
- For Lincoln Center, each marshmallow equals 20 minutes of reading, or 200 total minutes of reading during winter break.
2. Choose at least 10 marshmallow challenges that you would like to do. You can also write in your own challenge on a blank marshmallow. Some other reading challenge ideas include:
- Read in a closet
- Read under a blanket with a flashlight
- Read for as long as I can! (See what your reading stamina is!)
3. As you complete a reading challenge, cut out and glue or tape that marshmallow to the mug.
4. Decorate your mug if you want to!
5. Return your mug (with your name on it) to school by Wednesday, January 6th.
6. Your name will be entered into a drawing for some prizes, such as a free book, bookmark, gift certificate to the next book fair, a slice of pizza, slushee, Subway sandwich, ice cream cone, etc! Thank you to Peoples State Bank for funding the prizes!
Parents of Grant students - If you think your child does not have enough books at home to keep them busy reading over break, there was another letter sent home with students, as well. Fill out the form on the letter and return it to school by Monday, December 21 and we can send extra books home with your child. You can choose if you want the extra books to be from the library or gently-used books that do not need returned!
If you have lost the letter but do want us to send home extra books , either email me at leann.seddon@albia.k12.ia.us, call 932-2161 ext. 127 to leave a message, or write your request on a piece of scratch paper and send it to school. Just tell me if you want your child to bring home extra library books or the "free" books.
**I found this Winter Break Marshmallow Reading Challenge for free on Teachers Pay Teachers, a wonderful website that many teachers use to download pre-made lesson plans and printables -- saving us valuable time! If you are thinking about getting your teacher a gift for Christmas -- which BTW is totally NOT expected! We are educators because we love to guide, teach, and positively impact your life! -- consider a gift certificate to Teachers Pay Teachers (available in $5 amounts). It is a gift that your teacher is guaranteed to use and truly appreciate! Otherwise, I think most teachers would really appreciate and use supplies or materials for their classroom. If you are wondering what your teacher might like, just ask him or her!