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Book Swap to Benefit Child Literacy
The “Five-Finger Rule”, 800 books, crafts, entertainment and children reading
stories. It’s not the library; it’s the 8th Semi-Annual Junior League of Pueblo
Book Swap. The program is designed to address one of Pueblo’s most important
issues: child literacy. The event encourages recreational reading, provides
books for children to keep in their home environment, and teaches
ability-appropriate selection methods. Through the Book Swap program, children
receive free books and participate in activities focused on reading. The Book
Swap provides a relaxed and enjoyable environment for students to develop their
literacy skills.
The upcoming Book Swap will take place on Tuesday, November 8, 2005 at South
Park Elementary School throughout the regular school day. Participation in this
Book Swap is limited to South Park Elementary School students; however, parents
and interested community members are welcome to stop in and have a look.
What is the Book Swap?
On the day of the Book Swap, all students pre-school through grade six are
scheduled for a 50-minute period during which they participate in the following
events:
Learn “Five Finger Rule”
Children are taught how to select appropriate reading material at their ability
level. JLP also provides each teacher with a poster of the rule to reinforce
this skill in the classroom.
Swap Books
Books are located on tables throughout the gymnasium by reading level. Students
simply swap their old books for the new or gently used books JLP has provided.
Even if a student does not bring a book to swap, he or she will still leave
the Swap with at least one book.
Crafts & Entertainment!
Educational activities such as crafts, games and entertainment are implemented.
For example, students have made bookmarks, created puppets of their favorite
book character, participated in a “Book Walk” and enjoyed a Bean Bag Toss.
Storytellers are also present to entertain children during snack time.
The Book Swap began, after more than a year of research, in the spring of 2002.
The program is implemented twice a year, with one school receiving a visit in
November, and the second school in April. Prior to the Book Swap, JLP meets with
the faculty to address the needs and interests of the students. In order to
spark the students’ interest, the “Get Caught Being Good” incentive is
initiated. Faculty members ‘catch’ students exhibiting good behavior. Those
students earn tickets, which are then put in a drawing for a chance to win one
of 30 additional books. Jenni Denton, past chair for the Book Swap committee,
states, “By encouraging recreational reading, and providing children with new
books to enjoy at home, we hope to show children that reading is not only
important; it can also be fun.”
Over the past three years, Junior League has partnered with numerous community
groups and businesses to provide additional activities, including: Loaf and Jug,
Little Caesar’s Pizza, Texas Roadhouse, Staples, various student athletes and
cheerleaders, Junior Achievement, Partners in Education, Bring a Kid a Book
Volunteer Organization, and the Senior Resource Development Agency.
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