5th Grade Book of the Year 2006

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5th GradeBook of the Year 2006
Rachel Scott Lisa Wright
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Book of the Year Overview

• This is a collaborative project between the two
  fifth grade English teachers and the school
  librarian. We are in a K-5 elementary school.
  This will become an annual event for the fifth
  graders. The entire project takes place over
  approximately a two month period, from the second
  week in January to the first week in March.
• If students
• Read 6 of the 15 listed books
• Write a book review on one of the books
• Cast their vote for the best book of the year
• They will
• Attend a pizza party where the book of the year
  will be announced

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Read 6 of the 15 listed books

• A book list, chosen by the school librarian, will
  be announced the second week of January.
• The book list will be available online and at the
  school library.
• Students have until the end of February to read
  at least 6 of the books (7 weeks to read 6
  books).
• Students are already required to get a certain
  number of Accelerated Reader (AR) points. The
  books read for this program will count toward
  those required points. The school librarian will
  determine who has read at least 6 books by
  checking the AR database.

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Write a book review on one of the books

• The 5th grade English teachers will do a unit on
  book reviews with the students the last week of
  February.
• Important topics covered will include
• Persuasive writing techniques.
• The difference between a book report, book
  summary, and book review.
• An exploration of other student book review web
  sites.
• Students will write a draft book review at the
  end of the unit. This review will be on paper,
  written during English class, and may be either a
  positive or negative review of one of the books
  on the list.
• Library class 1 During each classs library
  time, the students will enter their book report
  into an online form (created by the school
  librarian). The school librarian will be
  assisting students as they complete their
  reviews.
• After the book reviews have been perused by the
  school librarian for appropriate content, the
  reviews will be made available online for the
  students to read each others reviews.

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Cast a vote for the best book of the year

• Library class 2 During the classes next
  library time, the book reviews will be discussed.
• Highlights might include the books most reviewed,
  any controversies, thoughtful insights from the
  reviews, questions raised by the reviews, etc.
• At the end of library class, students will vote
  online for their choice of best book (using an
  html form created by the school librarian).

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Attend a pizza party where the book of the year
will be announced

• A few days after the vote a pizza party (pizza
  and pop) will be held in the community room.
• Both 5th grade classes will attend at one time
  during a lunch period.
• Funding for the pizza party, decorations, goodie
  bags (to include book coupons, ice cream
  coupons, book markers, pencils/pens, etc.) will
  be obtained from local businesses.
• A framed award certificate will be produced by
  the school librarian and displayed prominently in
  the school library. The announcement will be as
  cheesy as possible to emphasize fun and
  community.

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Four Aspects of Learning Environments

• Student Centered Free choice of books from a
  varied book list.
• Knowledge Centered Encourage Free Volunteer
  Reading. Learn to write a book review. Discuss
  books reviewed.
• Assessment Centered Students will complete AR
  tests for the books they read.
• Community Community building between the two
  fifth grade classes and within each fifth grade
  class. The local business community is also
  involved as a donor and supporter of this school
  program.
• Educational Technology Students will enter their
  book review online and vote online.